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After gaining popularity over the past few years, play couches are among some of the most coveted kids products. If you’re not familiar, the Nugget Couch is one of the original play couches that hit the market a few years back and has turned up in most of our friends’ homes.
It is made up of four foam pieces, including a foldable base, foldable cushion and two triangle pillows, and it promises “hours of endless independent play.” It’s true— the configurations are seemingly endless. The imaginative minds at my house configure it into forts, slides, bridges, beds, obstacle courses, mountains and so much more.
The brand suggests it is best for ages 2-12, but truly, anyone can enjoy it. Even adults can play, sit, or lounge on it. It’s not quite as big as a twin sized bed, but we regularly use it as a floor mattress for whichever kid wants to sleep on the floor in our room when they’re scared.
The OG Nugget Couch for kids rings up at $249, but you can find many Nugget Couch knock offs for the same or less on Amazon and other favorite sites. Moms at Bobbie all shared their love of these flip sofas with me, knowing I love them, too!
- Reviews of the Nugget Couch
- 11 Best Play Couches and Nugget Couch Alternatives
- What age is the Nugget couch for?
- What is the deal with Nugget couches?
- Can adults fit on a Nugget couch?
- What is the Sam’s Club nugget couch called?
- Is the Nugget the same size as a twin bed?
- Is Nugget made in USA?
- The Nugget Couch
Reviews of the Nugget Couch
I have to admit, I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with the Nugget couch for kids. I love that it encourages active, open-ended play. I don’t love that my kids’ favorite thing to do with it is stack, climb and jump off as high as possible—but that’s more of a me problem than a Nugget problem.
The athletic and balance abilities of my 18-month-old, 3-year-old, and 5-year-old vary wildly, so when my oldest is running the show, I have to keep an extra close eye on the younger ones who mimic everything he does, like (attempt to) climb up and slide down. So much for those hours of “independent play.”
At least one part of the Nugget is always on our bedroom floor so that whoever wakes up scared at night can simply slip into our room and fall asleep without waking either of us. The unexpected extra sleep it has given me is by far my favorite thing about it.
Here at Bobbie, we are a seriously fun group of moms who always want to learn about and try the best products for our babes. With lots of talk on our internal Slack channel about the latest and greatest in the best products for kids, we thought we’d share some quotes about the beloved Nugget Couch:
- “We love ours! Highly recommend. Also, doubles as a “trundle” so Hank doesn’t fall out of his toddler bed.” – Ashley
- “1000% recommend! Comfy enough to sit on while kids play, fun to build forts/tunnels… big fan here!” – Hilary
- “Also love! My mother in law (4’11) has slept on it, and says it’s comfy!” -Alex
- “I find them comfortable to sit on and have even slept on one but they are quite firm at first. They get softer the more you jump around on them so they get a bit comfier with time.” – Megan
- “BEST purchase. We only have one but both girls love it and build all sorts of things in combo with a Pikler triangle.” – Shira
- “From a bigger kid perspective, Luisa loves it to make separate chairs for movie watching or to have two friends sleep over at once.” — Jenny
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11 Best Play Couches and Nugget Couch Alternatives
1. Balus Modular Sofa
If you have the space for it, the Balus Modular Sofa is a larger option of a flip sofa, stacking up at 80” on its longest side. Big kids, teens and adults could all fit on this velvet-covered lounge for some TV time, gaming, homework or really, any ideas. Plus, it flips open into a lounge spot or bed for ultimate comfort—and with the extra length, someone over 6 feet tall could even spend a night here.
2. Newton X Figgy Play Couch
If I were to invest in another play couch, the Newton X Figgy Play Couch would be it—the waterproof version would save me the somewhat regular headache of washing the cover after a nighttime accident and/or daytime sippy cup spill.
Plus, it comes with an extra cover that fits on the Newton Baby Crib Mattress once your little one is done with their crib. That turns it into a play couch with four base cushions, two rectangles, one wedge AND a crib-mattress-sized cushion. Even better? They all come apart, giving kids more creative freedom.
3. Foamnasium Kids Couch
The Foamnasium Kids Couch is one of the most similar to the original Nugget couch for kids, but with the added bonus of all the add-on options Foamnasium offers—stairs, wedges, cubes and more. It’s the perfect choice for building a kids-only fort, club or obstacle course.
It includes two base cushions and two wedge cushions and the same non-toxic, durable and easy-to-clean covers almost all play couches offer.
4. Jela Kids Couch
If you’re looking for a few more pieces for building forts, the Jela Kids Couch is the way to go. With two options—8-piece or 10-piece—you can make one purchase go a bit further.
As one of our fellow Bobbie moms, Megan, pointed out, “First of all, I love our Nuggets, but I will say you need at least two of them for forts, but three is the sweet spot!” I have to agree—having multiple play couches would be an ideal (but expensive) situation, so one with more cushions is a great alternative.
5. Milliard Kids Couch
More like a modular sofa, the Millard Kids Couch would be our pick for older kids and pre-teens who want their own furniture and comfy spot for sleepovers and movie watching. The plush velour cover on this more couch-like, less fort-like option also passes the vibe check for older kids.
6. Jaxx Zipline Modular Kids Loveseat
File this one under great for younger kids. It is set up like a loveseat with two ottomans (perfect for movie nights) but also converts into a play table or lounging spot. Think: reading nook, train table location, gaming lounge and more—the ideas are endless. For added parent-friendly comfort, the Jaxx sits higher from the ground than the original Nugget (15.75” vs. 8.75”).
7. Imaginarium Kids & Toddler Play Couch
On the more budget-friendly side, the Imaginarium Play Couch is almost identical to the Nugget, with the same overall dimensions, cushions and style. The main difference? It’ll save you at least $50 and sometimes more when it goes on sale (which the Nugget never does).
8. Yourigami Play Couch
Also ringing up at about $50 less than the original Nugget, the Yourigami Play Couch is a 4-piece set with two bases and two wedge pillows that kids can rearrange into whatever they can imagine.
It is slightly smaller than the Nugget couch—most notably 4 inches shorter length wise. So if you plan to use it as an extra sleeping spot, make sure whoever will use it is under 5’1”.
9. Infans Play Couch
Many play couches are filled with a foam material, but the Infans Play Couch is made of high-density, high-rebound sponges. If your kids are anything like ours—bouncing off whatever surface they can find—this could be the one for you.
With two folding base mats and two triangular wedge pillows, this option is also a dead ringer for the original Nugget—coming in at $60 less.
10. Roo & You x CoComelon Joey Play Couch
If you’re looking for a high-quality kids furniture set, Roo & You have built upon the original idea and make it *better*. You can build on it, too! Don’t stop at just the Joey Play Couch, add on the CoComelon Rocker Set for a LOT of sitting, relaxing, building fun. Roo & You self-proclaims they are the longest lasting, firmest play couch on the market— with a density that will last for years to come. Since it will grow with littles and can be pivoted into full-time furniture for teens, even if they grow out of the CoComelon print, you can swap out for one of their many other solid/colorful options.
11. The Nugget Couch
This brand started the whole craze and it’s still the most popular. Their OG style is comfy enough for kids of all ages to use (and some parents), whether as a sofa or a fort. There’s a ton of social love for this top-rated brand, and we thank them for starting this parent friendly trend! If you’ve had yours for a while and it needs a refresh, they also have Nugget Cover Sets in a ton of textures and colors.
What age is the Nugget couch for?
A nugget couch is for all ages, 2 and up. They are comfortable and low to the ground, making them ideal for toddlers and kids alike.
What is the deal with Nugget couches?
Parents and kids have been loving these play sofas. They make for a great reading or movie watching spot, yet turn into a fort in a hot second. They’re easy to clean and easy to move around, so overall, they’re popular because they’re fantastic!
Can adults fit on a Nugget couch?
Absolutely! When it’s in the full sofa configuration, it’s low to the ground, but when you make it into two chairs, it’s a great height for any member of the family.
What is the Sam’s Club nugget couch called?
Sam’s Club sells a nugget style couch called the Member’s Mark Kids’ Explorer Sofa. It’s a great style that comes in many colors to match your kids rooms. The set includes four comfy foam-filled pieces—a base layer, two triangle wedges, and a comfort layer. The outer layer is washable, too!
Is the Nugget the same size as a twin bed?
They may vary, but the usual nugget style couch is a little smaller than a twin bed. If you separate the two rows of cushions, you actual get two twin style beds, great for sleepovers!
Is Nugget made in USA?
The official Nugget Couch is made in the USA, but manufacturing depends on each brand, so read their description online.
The Nugget Couch
The verdict is in— play couches, though pricey, are well worth it. Unlike many kids products, this is one that will age well with your little ones. The youngest toddlers can enjoy crawling and climbing on an infinitely configurable spot just for them, all the way through the tween and teen years of sleepovers, gaming and movie time. Now, which one to purchase? We’ll let you in on a little secret: you can’t go wrong with any.
Feature photo courtesy of Newton X Figgy.
Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
Bobbie Organic Infant Formula is a USDA Organic, EU-style infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. It is a complete nutrition milk-based powder modeled after breast milk and is easy on tummies. It is non-GMO and doesn't have corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. Learn more about Bobbie.
