How a Barcelona Shopping Center Used a Playground to Boost Family Foot Traffic and Tenant Sales

Ana Lopez, operations manager of Plaza Catalunya—a mid-sized shopping center in Barcelona—faced a growing problem in 2023: family visits were declining as kids grew bored within 30 minutes of arriving. "We needed a way to make our mall a destination, not just a place to shop," she said. Her solution? A shopping center playground designed to keep families engaged for hours.

Ana turned to Google, searching for "shopping center with indoor playground" and "shopping center with playground" to find a partner who understood mall dynamics. Our team’s portfolio of family-friendly mall playgrounds caught her eye—and she reached out to start the project.

At the heart of the transformation was a kids maze play area, positioned at the mall’s main entrance to draw families in instantly. The two-level maze features colorful tunnels, peek-a-boo windows, and interactive sound effects—perfect for 3-8-year-olds. "Parents love that they can watch their kids play from the adjacent coffee shop," Ana said. "It’s the first thing families see when they walk in, and it keeps them in the mall longer."

For older kids (5-12), we added an indoor climbing wall with varying difficulty levels—from beginner "teddy bear" holds to advanced "rock climber" routes. Equipped with a soft landing pad and safety harnesses, the wall became a hit with tweens looking to challenge themselves. "We’ve seen kids come back week after week to beat their personal bests," Ana noted. "It’s a key reason families stay for hours."

Toddlers (1-4) got their own space with a compact inflatable castle, designed with low heights and soft edges to ensure safety. The castle’s slides and bounce areas kept little ones entertained while parents shopped nearby. "It’s the perfect spot for younger kids," Ana said. "Parents tell us they feel comfortable leaving their toddlers here while they grab a snack or browse stores."

To cater to active tweens and teens, we installed a ninja warrior obstacle course with balance beams, monkey bars, and a "spider web" climb. The 10-meter course encourages friendly competition—kids love racing to the finish line. "The course has become a social hub," Ana said. "We’ve even had birthday parties booked just for the ninja challenges!"

For babies and toddlers, we created a kids soft play area with padded floors, foam blocks, and sensory toys. The calm, safe space lets little ones explore while parents relax. "It’s a lifesaver for new moms," Ana said. "They can take a break while their babies play, and it keeps them in the mall longer."

Ana’s favorite part of working with us? "You didn’t just build a playground—you built a family destination," she said. "You considered the mall’s flow, our tenants’ needs, and our customers’ wants. Every zone is designed to keep families engaged, and it’s paying off."

As specialists in shopping center playgrounds, we focus on three key things: visibility (so families see the playground as soon as they arrive), inclusivity (catering to all ages), and tenant synergy (driving traffic to nearby stores). "Our coffee shop’s sales are up 25% on weekends, and our clothing stores are seeing more families," Ana said. "The playground isn’t just fun—it’s good for business."

Ana’s story proves that a well-designed shopping center playground can transform a mall from a place to shop into a place to make memories. Whether you have a small corner or a large space, we can help you create a playground that attracts families, extends dwell time, and boosts sales.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about our shopping center with indoor playground solutions. Let’s make your mall the next family favorite!