5 businesses that will unleash your inner child

Jet flight simulators, ten pin bowling rinks, arcades. They’re all businesses you can buy and run today, earning an income and reliving some of your childhood in the process, all while bringing joy to others.

We’ve rounded up a few examples to get you thinking like a kid again.

1. Jet flight simulator

Why would you train for years to be a pilot when the next best thing is only a business purchase away? Okay, so to actually work as a hands-on operator you will need to have some experience as a pilot. But that doesn’t stop you from owning the business and popping in for the occasional free lesson, does it? And who knows, you might just find yourself channeling your inner Captain Sully one day and using those skills in real life. According to the listing agent behind this Canberra simulator business, currently under offer, simulators are like “an ATM with wings”.

This Canberra flight simulator business, currently under offer, requires minimal effort to run. Photo: Supplied

2. Hobby Shop

Drones, remote control cars and, remote control planes. Who knew you could get so excited about manipulating something with a remote. But it’s more than that isn’t it? Piloting that little speck in the sky reminds you that you’re the captain of your own destiny too, right?

Whatever your reasoning, you can help others achieve that feeling too. This hobby shop in Melbourne’s Knowfield is available for $399,000.

The shop specialises in remote-controlled devices such as cars, helicopters and drones. The store has a strong customer database and a reputation as one of the leaders in the remote controlled hobby space in Melbourne.

Other hobby shops can involve selling models of planes, cars and ships, puzzles, and card and board games, but if you ask us, it’s flying hobbies that are really set to take off.

Does the idea of running a hobby store get your imagination flying high? Photo: Thinkstock

3. Ten pin bowling

The lights, the music, the shoes! If ten pin bowling is an activity you enjoyed as a kid, or still do, perhaps running one would be an ideal change of pace? This one for sale in Rockhampton has 22 bowling lanes and, as the owner, you’ll probably get the first pick of bowling shoes.

This ten pin bowling rink is for sale in Rockhampton. Photo: Supplied

 4. Indoor trampoline centre

Fitting a trampoline into the backyard might be an increasingly difficult task for many Sydney and Melbourne families, but that doesn’t mean you have to wave goodbye to the fun of attempting the backflip.

This indoor trampoline centre in Liverpool – part of the Flip Out franchise – is up for grabs for $1.25 million, including all equipment and a long-term lease.

Flip Out Liverpool is up for sale. Photo: Supplied

5. Ice cream store

After all that drone flying, bowling, trampolining and piloting you’ll be in need of a snack. What’s better than buying an ice cream? Being around the stuff all day long. If working in an ice creamery is your childhood-inspired calling, this Cold Rock franchise in Warrigal might be a good place to start looking. It’s on the market for $149,500.

You don’t need to ask anyone’s permission for an ice cream when you’re the boss. Photo: Thinkstock