School’s Out, Now What? Summer Marketing Tips for FECs

When the school year ends, the opportunity begins. For Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), summer is prime time to attract families, birthday parties, sports teams, and community groups—but it takes strategy to stand out. With increased competition and shifting schedules, it's essential to approach your seasonal promotions with intention.

School’s Out, Now What? Summer Marketing Tips for FECs

That’s where a focused approach to summer marketing for FECs comes in. With the right mix of digital advertising, social campaigns, and local partnerships, you can turn summer into your busiest  and most profitable season.

Create a Plan for Digital Advertising for Family Fun Centers

When done right, digital advertising for family fun centers can deliver major results. Platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram allow you to target local families actively searching for things to do. Highlight weekday deals, birthday party slots, or limited-time summer packages to capture their attention.

Make sure your ads link to mobile-friendly landing pages with clear calls-to-action and easy online booking. Bonus points if you set up retargeting ads to reach users who visited your site but didn’t convert; these are warm leads worth nurturing.

Embrace Local Love: Report Cards, Sports Teams & Schools

Summer is the perfect time to get creative with your community outreach. Recognize students with “Report Card Rewards” that offer free or discounted attractions for good grades.

Shout out local sports teams on social media and invite them in for post-game celebrations. These types of community-focused efforts build loyalty and get families talking.

Partnering with schools, churches, or daycares for group discounts or exclusive events during off-peak hours is another smart move for your summer marketing for FECs strategy.

Boost Engagement with Social Media Campaigns

Social media isn’t just about presence, it’s about connection. Show off your attractions, post reels of birthday parties in action, or go live during a packed Friday night. Feature your staff, behind-the-scenes prep, or even customer testimonials.

Strategic paid social campaigns can also amplify your reach. With advanced targeting, you can focus your efforts on parents within driving distance of your location, boosting awareness and bookings at the same time.

Retarget Website Visitors & Past Guests 

One of the most effective uses of digital advertising for family fun centers is retargeting. Use Meta Pixel or Google Ads retargeting to reach people who’ve visited your site but haven’t booked yet.

Consider offering them a limited-time summer discount or a fun incentive like free grip socks, a free drink, or a bonus game card.

Get Creative, Stay Consistent

The FECs that thrive in summer aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets, they’re the ones that market consistently, creatively, and with purpose. With a smart mix of summer marketing for FECs, community engagement, and a strong digital ad presence, you’ll keep your facility buzzing all season.

Ready to Power Up Your Summer Strategy?

Download our Ultimate Guide to Digital Advertising to explore actionable tips, platform breakdowns, and real-world examples tailored for family entertainment centers.

Let’s make this your best summer yet!

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