Indoor Playground Inspection

Indoor playgrounds require daily inspection for both structural safety and hygiene due to the close contact nature of soft play environments. This checklist addresses ASTM F1918 soft play equipment standards, state childcare facility licensing requirements, and infection control practices for commercial soft play facilities.

Industry: Sports and Recreation
Frequency: Daily - Before opening
Estimated Time: 20-25 minutes
Role: Play Center Manager / Opening Staff
Total Items: 30

Play Structure Structural Condition

Inspect play structure components for structural safety.

Main play structure frame intact with no bent, cracked, or loose components?
Elevated platforms and floors secure with no bounce or movement?
Net panels, mesh, and rope components intact without tears or holes?
Slides free of cracks, tears, or rough surfaces?
Tunnel and tube sections intact without collapse or distortion?
All accessible fasteners and connections secure?
Structure anchoring to floor or walls secure and undisturbed?

Padding and Foam Surfaces

Inspect soft play padding and foam surface condition and hygiene.

All foam block and padding covers intact without tears exposing foam?
Foam blocks and pads maintaining appropriate density (not overly compressed)?
Impact padding thickness adequate on fall surfaces and low overhead items?
Padding covers cleaned and sanitized per daily schedule?
No visibly soiled, stained, or malodorous padding covers remaining in use?
Foam or rubber flooring throughout play area intact without gaps or lifting?

Ball Pit and Interactive Features

Inspect ball pit, interactive games, and entertainment features.

Ball pit free of foreign objects, broken balls, or hazards?
Play balls intact without cracks, splits, or deflation?
Ball pit on regular sanitization schedule per health guidelines?
Area clear of small parts or choking hazards?
Interactive games and electronic features operational?

Hygiene and Sanitation

Verify cleaning and sanitation standards for high-touch child environment.

All high-touch surfaces cleaned and sanitized (handrails, entry/exit points)?
Child restrooms and diaper changing areas clean and stocked?
Sock requirement policy in place and enforced at entry?
Hand washing facilities or sanitizer accessible to children and adults?
Food and beverage area separate from play area?
Cleaning and sanitization log completed with products used?

Safety and Supervision

Confirm staffing, supervision protocols, and emergency readiness.

Adequate staff to supervisor ratio for expected child volume?
Age/height zones enforced to prevent older children injuring toddlers?
Emergency exits clear and marked?
First aid kit accessible and fully stocked?
Child count being monitored against posted maximum capacity?
Adult supervision policy posted and being enforced?

Related Sports Recreation Checklists

Related Playground Checklists

Why Use This Indoor Playground Inspection?

This indoor playground inspection helps sports and recreation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for play center manager / opening staff professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: daily - before opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Indoor Playground Inspection cover?

This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 5 sections: Play Structure Structural Condition, Padding and Foam Surfaces, Ball Pit and Interactive Features, Hygiene and Sanitation, Safety and Supervision. It is designed for sports and recreation operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily - before opening. Each completion takes approximately 20-25 minutes.

Who should use this Indoor Playground Inspection?

This checklist is designed for Play Center Manager / Opening Staff professionals in the sports and recreation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.