The recent US tariff surge has reignited trade tensions, pushing manufacturers across multiple industries — from electronics to amusement and indoor playground equipment — to rethink their export strategies.

Chinese factories, once dominant in the global supply chain, now face higher export duties, prompting a wave of regional diversification known as the “China + 1” strategy. Under this model, companies maintain their R&D and design in China while expanding assembly and logistics operations into Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

For amusement manufacturers, this strategic migration isn’t just about tax efficiency — it’s about getting closer to emerging markets, where the demand for kids indoor playgrounds, adventure parks, and shopping mall entertainment zones continues to grow.

The success of Kids Empire, a well-known US indoor playground chain, has become a global reference point. Investors throughout Southeast Asia are now replicating this model — affordable, safe, and fun spaces for children aged 1–12 that combine soft play, slides, trampolines, and interactive games.

Driven by this trend, new kids game zone business ideas are flourishing in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Developers are converting unused mall spaces into family entertainment centers (FECs), while operators from India and Bangladesh are investing in modular indoor playground equipment sourced from China.

As trade policies tighten, Southeast Asia is emerging as both a production base and consumption hub for the amusement industry.
Key advantages include:

• Proximity to China’s supply chain for components and R&D

• Lower logistics costs for ASEAN distribution

• Favorable trade frameworks under RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership)

• Growing middle-class population demanding modern family entertainment options

For example, many kids indoor playground manufacturers in China are partnering with Thai or Vietnamese firms to localize part of their production. This ensures faster delivery, tariff-free re-export, and easier after-sales support.

At the center of this transformation is TAAPE 2025 (Thailand Amusement & Attraction Parks Expo) — a trade show that perfectly mirrors the industry’s eastward shift.

📍 Date: October 15–17, 2025
📍 Venue: IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center, Bangkok
🌐 Official Website: taapeexpo.com

Supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), TAAPE 2025 will host over 300 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from more than 30 countries.

It serves as a unique cross-border platform linking Chinese indoor playground equipment suppliers, ASEAN investors, and international theme park developers — helping them build partnerships that go beyond trade barriers.

The list of confirmed buyers for TAAPE 2025 reflects how amusement demand is spreading across Asia:

• 🇮🇳 SRHPL (Swarnamukhi Recreation & Hospitality Pvt Ltd) — seeking outdoor and water play systems.

• 🇧🇩 Fantasy Island (Bangladesh) — exploring family play concepts for all-age attractions.

• 🇪🇺 Scenario (Europe) — focusing on creative scenic design and immersive environments.

• 🇮🇳 Dream World Entertainment City (India) — expanding its adventure park with go-karts, ziplines, climbing walls, and paintball arenas.

Together, they represent the diverse network of developers, designers, and operators that make TAAPE the true hub for the Asian amusement ecosystem.

While outdoor amusement parks face high investment thresholds, indoor playgrounds in shopping malls have become the most accessible entry point for investors.

The format combines retail traffic + entertainment revenue, providing a stable return with minimal seasonality.
Typical small playgrounds range from 200–500m², making them ideal for new malls or urban refurbishments — a model already proven by Kids Empire in the United States.

Southeast Asian malls are now following suit, introducing indoor kids game zones that boost family engagement and extend visitor time per trip.

Q: How large is a small playground for commercial use?
A: Most indoor playground equipment projects start from 200–300 square meters, suitable for cafés, daycare centers, or small shopping malls. For larger amusement centers like Kids Empire, space requirements can exceed 800–1,000 square meters, combining multiple zones such as trampolines, slides, and toddler areas.

(👉 Learn more about playground sizing in our detailed guide:
How Large Is a Small Playground?)

The amusement industry’s next chapter will not be defined by where products are made, but how partnerships are formed.
Through trade platforms like TAAPE 2025, amusement manufacturers, designers, and investors can bridge the gap between Chinese production strength and ASEAN market potential.

This integration transforms challenges into opportunities — turning tariff-driven uncertainty into a pathway for innovation, localization, and growth.

As trade shifts reshape the global landscape, TAAPE 2025 stands as the new gateway for amusement and playground innovation.
For suppliers of indoor playground equipment, shopping mall play zones, and family entertainment centers, the time to enter the Southeast Asian market has never been better.

Explore opportunities, build partnerships, and discover the next growth frontier.
🌐 Visit www.taapeexpo.com
📍 October 15–17, 2025 | IMPACT Exhibition Center | Bangkok, Thailand