The Sustainability Ingredient for FEC – Active Entertainment

The “experience economy phenomenon,” first mentioned in the early 1990s, has gained momentum through social media and the culture of sharing. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have shifted the focus from possessions to experiences, changing social status from “having” to “being.” This shift, amplified by publicly quantifiable memories, has greatly influenced the spending habits of Millennials and Gen Z. For them, social value comes from unique experiences rather than material goods, shaping how they interact with the world and make purchasing decisions.

Given this, it comes as no surprise that the entertainment industry has been booming in the last decade. And while the classics like Arcades or Bumper Cars are still common, trends like Active Entertainment – the concept of merging entertainment with physical exercise, are on the rise.

Family entertainment

This is particularly relevant for entertainment aimed at children and families. The appeal of kids engaging in active play rather than screen time has become a powerful marketing tool, addressing both emotional needs and the desire for physical activity that many parents struggle to meet. Additionally, the millennial focus on health and wellness fuels this trend, as they seek to raise children who are fitter, healthier, and more environmentally conscious.

The benefits from these trends are reaped predominantly by the FEC centers. Of course, the high demand equals a fierce competition so the hunt for new and more interesting attractions is always on. From trampolines to soft play and giant slides – when it comes down to catering to the demand of physically challenging entertainment, the possibilities seem endless.

Kids’ climbing walls

Combining cognitive and physical challenges into a single attraction can be tricky, and only a few types manage to do it well. A prime example of successful active entertainment is kids’ climbing walls. These walls are specifically designed to promote cognitive development while challenging children’s balance, coordination, and agility. By engaging both mind and body, they offer a fun and effective way for children to grow physically and mentally, providing an all-encompassing activity that meets modern parenting goals for active, healthy play.

Kids climbing walls are already extremely “in” and climbing centers designed solely for kids are popping up across Europe and the US as well as the Middle East. However, as popular and flexible as these are, they do require a building with a considerable indoor clear height, which is a requirement that not all FECs can meet.

Edutainment

An option for smaller and narrower spaces could be another artificial natural structure – the artificial caving system. Combining exploration games with tunnels and obstacles, the attraction is the embodiment of “edutainment” while being interesting and stimulating.

These solutions are however more of a solo activity compared to other attractions like Adventure Trails or Cloud Climbs that cater to children’s desire to compete and create imaginative games as a group.

Real life fun

These activities claim sustainability because, unlike video games, they focus on real physical engagement and fostering connections between participants, their parents, and the FEC itself. This creates a lasting community that can drive repeat visits. Even with Covid-19 still a consideration, people are now seeking shared, meaningful experiences more than ever. While the pandemic has been tough on businesses, it also presents an opportunity for FECs to shift towards a more sustainable model that appeals to both children and parents by offering deeper engagement.

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