How to plan an indoor playground layout from your floor plan
A step-by-step method for turning a floor plan into an indoor playground layout: capacity, ceiling height, zones, sightlines and exits.
Short answer
Choose a ground-floor course if your ceiling is low or you want an easy add-on to a trampoline park, and a multi-level truss course if you have height and want a signature attraction. Mix grip, balance and swing obstacles in difficulty bands, keep padded landing zones under every hanging element, and size the course for the number of runners per hour your sessions need.
Key takeaways
- Ground-floor courses are easiest to add to existing venues.
- Multi-level truss courses need height but create a destination attraction.
- Group obstacles in difficulty bands for kids, teens and adults.
- Plan landing zones and spotter positions before choosing obstacles.
Ninja courses have moved from TV competitions into trampoline parks, gyms and family entertainment centres. They attract older children, teenagers and adults — the visitors who often outgrow soft play first — and they work well for parties and team events.
Ground-floor or multi-level?
Ground-floor courses run obstacles in a line over padded floors. They need less height, are quick to install and are the simplest way to add ninja to an existing venue. Multi-level courses use a truss or steel frame with obstacles on two decks; they need more height but become the centre-piece of a site. A backyard or school rig is a compact steel frame with bars, rings and a net.
How much ceiling height do you need?
Hanging obstacles need room for the athlete's body below the grip plus a safe gap above the landing surface. Ground-floor rigs commonly sit in 3.5–4.5 m of clear height. Two-level courses need considerably more; send your section drawing and we will check every obstacle against it.
How should you choose obstacles?
- Grip — rings, cannonballs, bar hoppers, hanging doors.
- Balance — quintuple steps, spinning logs, balance beams.
- Swing and momentum — rope swings, salmon ladders, trapeze bars.
- Finish — warped wall, climbing wall or timed buzzer.
Arrange them in bands: an entry section most children can finish, a middle section that rewards practice, and an optional advanced line for teens and adults. Colour-coding each band makes the course readable without staff explanations.
What does a safe ninja course need?
Every hanging and elevated obstacle needs padded landing zones that extend beyond the swing path. Leave space for staff to spot younger runners, keep queues out of fall zones, and choose obstacles that can be lowered or swapped for different age groups. Frames should be galvanized or aluminium, and every obstacle must be load-rated for adults if adults will use it.
How many runners per hour can it handle?
Throughput depends on course length, number of parallel lanes and how many runners are allowed on the course at once. Two parallel lanes double throughput and create head-to-head races, which is popular for parties and events. Tell us your session length and target guests per hour and we will size the lanes accordingly.
FAQ
Can adults use the same ninja course as children?
Yes, if the frame and obstacles are rated for adult loads and the course offers interchangeable or height-adjustable obstacles.
Can I add a ninja course to my existing trampoline park?
Yes. Ground-floor courses and single bays are designed to slot into existing trampoline parks with minimal changes.
Are ninja obstacles customisable?
Obstacles, frame colours and logos can all be customised, and obstacles can be swapped later to refresh the course.
Published · Last reviewed . Standards and regulations change; confirm requirements with your local authority.
