9 Summer Promotions That Will Pack Your FEC with Guests

Summer is a golden opportunity for Family Entertainment Centers. With kids out of school, families searching for fun, and parents looking for stress-free outings, it’s the perfect time to drive major traffic and increase revenue. But without a plan, that opportunity can slip by unnoticed.

That’s why now is the time to put your summer marketing in motion. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned operator, this list of 9 summer promotions will inspire action and results.

9 Summer Promotions That Will Pack Your FEC with Guests

Let’s dive into the most effective ways to fill your facility, increase bookings, and build community buzz during the busy summer season.

1. Weekday Deals That Fill the Gaps

Not every day is packed by default, especially early in the week. Offer creative weekday specials to even out traffic across your calendar. 

Think “Monday Madness” or “Two-for-Tuesday” offers on arcade credits or attractions. You can even rotate weekly deals to spotlight different parts of your business.

Pro Tip: Use your data to find your slowest time slots and build a promotion that targets those specific hours.

2. Know Your Target Market

Memberships are a great way to encourage repeat visits and boost guest value throughout the summer. If your Family Entertainment Center offers a membership program, now’s the time to promote the benefits, especially any limited-time summer deals.

Consider adding seasonal incentives like discounted admission, exclusive play hours, or member-only specials at the snack bar. Promote these in-facility and across your marketing channels to drive interest and sign-ups.

3. "Beat the Heat" Flash Sales

Take advantage of those blazing summer afternoons by promoting limited-time, weather-inspired deals. When temperatures spike, so should your guest traffic. Run ads like a “Cool Down Combo” that includes admission and a cold treat, or a “Heatwave Play Pass” valid for afternoon visits.

These spontaneous, themed deals are perfect for promoting on social media and can help drive same-day traffic during slower periods.

Example: “It’s 90° and climbing! Today only, grab our Beat the Heat Play & Snack deal when you visit between 2–5PM!”

FEC Tip: Pair these Family Entertainment Center summer promotions with fun graphics or weather icons to catch attention and build excitement.

4. Birthday Party Upgrades for Summer Kids

Summer birthdays can get overlooked with families traveling or camps in session. Help parents plan early by offering party upgrade incentives like free add-ons, extra arcade credit, or a snack upgrade if they book before a certain date.

FEC Tip: Run a birthday blast email or paid campaign targeting parents of kids with summer birthdays (ages 5–12). Use language like “Make their summer birthday unforgettable!”

5. Themed Nights That Create a Following

Make every Friday night feel like an event with themed nights. Glow Parties, Retro Game Nights, Character Appearances, or Pajama Parties. Give guests a reason to return week after week.

Tie themes to your attractions. For example, host a neon dodgeball tournament on your trampoline court or offer blacklight mini golf tournaments.

Why It Works: Themes add novelty and word-of-mouth appeal, driving guest retention and social shares.

6. Field Trip and Camp Partnerships

Summer means more day camps, childcare centers, and local programs looking for fun field trip destinations. Create a field trip flyer with per-child pricing, custom packages, and built-in flexibility for group leaders.

Reach out to:

• YMCA and church camps
• Local rec departments
• Daycare and Montessori schools
• Private summer programs

Family Entertainment Center summer promotions that cater to group experiences create dependable, high-volume bookings and boost weekday revenue.

7. Community Partnership Givebacks

Align your brand with the community through a give-back program. Offer a fundraiser night where a percentage of proceeds goes to a local school, sports team, or non-profit.

These are ideal mid-week events and drive volume from groups that may not otherwise plan a visit.

Bonus: Post photos from your giveback events and tag organizations, it boosts your brand reputation and encourages others to partner with you.

8. High-Impact Digital Ad Campaigns

None of these promotions matter if no one sees them. This is where digital advertising comes in. Use Meta and Google Ads to target families in your area with campaigns that showcase your summer deals, party promos, or field trip offers.

Focus on:

• Geo-targeted reach
• Split testing themes (like birthday vs. open play)
• Strong calls-to-action like “Book Now” or “Limited Spots Available”

Don’t miss this: Grab our Ultimate Guide to Digital Advertising for expert tips on running high-converting ad campaigns.

9. “Report Card Rewards” Campaign

Encourage academic success by letting kids bring in their final report cards to redeem a prize, like 10 arcade credits or a free slushie for good grades. It’s an easy way to tap into family pride and get kids excited about visiting your facility.

How to Promote: Announce your campaign across Facebook, Instagram, and via email. Include visuals like a chalkboard or certificate graphic with “A+ Reward Inside!”

Make This Your Most Profitable Summer Yet

The best summer marketing plans are intentional, diversified, and data-informed. Whether you’re filling party slots, boosting weekday attendance, or booking group events, these 9 Family Entertainment Center summer promotions are proven strategies to keep your FEC full of energy (and guests).

Don't wait until July to act. Start building your campaigns now, and let your software do the heavy lifting, especially when it comes to online booking, email marketing, and tracking performance.

At Party Center Software, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Ready to turn up the traffic?

Drop a comment below and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you!