Our Nugget Review: The Best Play Couch And Chair For Toddlers

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Summary: We tested The Nugget Play Couch and Smore Play Chair for our nursery and playroom. We love the nontoxic materials, the brand’s give-back initiatives, and how versatile these pieces are, especially for the price. While they aren’t budget items ($249 for The Nugget; $199 for The Smore), they are a solid investment for parents because they grow with your child and can be passed down. The play furniture also encourages imagination and gross motor skills, which is a win for us.

What We Love:

The Nugget is made without flame-retardant chemicals; it’s GREENGUARD Gold certified, and the cushions have Certi-Pur US foam. As toddler moms who constantly read labels, we love that it prioritizes high-quality, nontoxic materials.
All cushion covers are removable and machine washable, and we saw excellent results after spot-cleaning stains—even from foods like chocolate and blackberries.
The double-brushed microsuede fabric is incredibly soft, and surprisingly cohesive with the rest of our home’s aesthetic (a rarity for children’s products!). Microsuede and corduroy are other fabric options, available in various colors.
You can purchase a $10 swatch kit to make sure you’ve picked the right color or pattern for your home.

Things To Note:

Nugget products are relatively pricey, and they come with a strict return policy and warranty.
The Smore is better if you live in a small space — The Nugget Couch, while it comes apart, is much larger and better suited for larger homes.

As moms of very busy toddlers, we are constantly trying to balance getting our kids’ energy out with creating a safe, controlled space. That’s where The Nugget comes in: it gives our kids a series of soft cushions to create their own personal couch, chair, or what one of our kids lovingly refers to as their “tunnel.” The setup was even more appealing when we experienced a slew of rainy days recently and had to get creative with indoor play ideas.

Another curveball many parents can relate to? Our toddlers like to taste test everything (yes, even play couches!), so we’re drawn to Nugget’s long list of certifications. Our editors have also taken notice of the Nugget, ranking it the best overall nontoxic play couch, largely because of the brand’s focus on third-party certified, high-quality materials. The Nugget is GREENGUARD Gold certified, filled with Certi-Pur US foam, and made without any flame-retardant chemicals. The brand also runs several give-back initiatives and has donated millions to organizations such as Everytown and Equity Before Birth.

About Nugget

The Nugget, also known as “the original play couch,” was founded back in 2014 and launched on Kickstarter in January 2015. The initial design was called the Nugget 1, an 11-piece set of foam blocks with a bamboo base and hard foam legs. It went through several iterations before becoming the Nugget many parents and kids know and love today — a four-piece foam building block set comprising a base, cushion, and two triangle pillows. The product went viral a few years back, and at one point, I remember reporting on Nugget dupes because it was so difficult to get your hands on the real thing. Fortunately, their inventory is significantly more plentiful today.

Two gray foam play couches with angled backrests, a Woody doll, a wooden animal puzzle, and a plush giraffe are arranged against a light-colored wall on a wooden floor.

“Imaginative play and gross motor skills are the key developmental benefits to the Nugget, inspiring your little one to move the pieces around in various configurations.”

Imaginative play and gross motor skills are the key developmental benefits of the Nugget, inspiring your little one to move the pieces around in various configurations. Over the years, the Nugget has become even more sleek, and there are now 25 different colorways to choose from, including a collaboration with Ms. Rachel. In 2024, the brand announced the arrival of the Chunk (aka “the original play ottoman”), and this year, they launched the Smore Play Chair.

Delivery and setup

We received the Nugget couch within one week of ordering, and everything arrived in one relatively compact cardboard box. The Nugget weighs 27 pounds total, so it didn’t require any heavy lifting. To make things even easier, all four pieces of the play couch come rolled up in a vacuum-sealed bag. The cushions take a few seconds to take shape when you open it, and the larger piece returns to its original size overnight.

A large orange Nugget box sits on a wooden floor near a door and a children's basketball hoop. — *The Nugget arrived quickly, in a 27 lb, compressed bundle that required absolutely no setup at all* *— even the cushion covers were already on!*

A child touches a rolled-up mattress wrapped in plastic on a wooden floor, with an open cardboard box nearby. — *The Nugget arrived quickly, in a 27 lb, compressed bundle that required absolutely no setup at all* *— even the cushion covers were already on!*

After writing about and testing baby products for the better part of a decade, it’s rare to find anything that requires no setup whatsoever. Enter the Nugget, with covers that are already zipped on. Once they’ve settled into their shape, you and your toddler can explore all of the different types of formations. Plus, we didn’t notice any smell or “off-gassing,” so it was a snap to add to the playroom.

Two tan foam cushions set up as a makeshift couch next to a Nugget box, a small basketball hoop, and a white cabinet in a living room. — *After unwrapping the cushions, the Nugget was completely decompressed and back to its original shape in less than a day.*

A beige modular foam couch with triangular back supports is set on a wooden floor near a small indoor basketball hoop by a window. — *After unwrapping the cushions, the Nugget was completely decompressed and back to its original shape in less than a day.*

Putting the play couch to the test

If you’ve ever been to a play gym, the extra-plush cushions are reminiscent of that environment. We tried a few different configurations, but our editor’s son was partial to what he calls the “tunnel”—aka the thinner piece (referred to as “the cushion,” per the brand) folded into a triangular shape. He brings toys under there, and it’s quickly become his preferred place to snack. After all, what’s better than breakfast in the tunnel?

A foldable foam play couch is arranged as a tent with two triangular cushions on the sides. A toy giraffe is visible in the background near the wall. — *My son is a huge fan of his Nugget and especially loves the configuration he calls “Tunnel”—for obvious reasons!*

A young child sits with their back to the camera inside a makeshift tent made of beige couch cushions, playing with stuffed animals. — *My son is a huge fan of his Nugget and especially loves the configuration he calls “Tunnel”—for obvious reasons!*

Fortunately, it’s easy to spot-clean the material, and the cushion covers are removable if you need to throw them in the wash for a deeper clean. We haven’t had an intense spill quite yet, but there’s so much peace of mind that comes with knowing we can wash them on a cold setting with like colors. (Note that the brand recommends line drying the covers to prevent shrinkage.)

“It’s easy to spot clean the material, and the cushion covers are removable if you need to throw them in the wash for a deeper clean.”

After about three weeks, we’re not sure we can go back to our pre-Nugget life. My son frequently shouts, “Tunnel!” and I’ve seen a number of benefits, too. I’m grateful that we now have a space that’s low enough for us both to comfortably climb on and read books, listen to songs on his Toniebox, and work on puzzles. When I need a break from chasing after him, it’s nice to rest on the comfy cushions while he moves on to his next playroom activity.

A close-up of beige textured fabric with visible weave patterns and subtle creases. — *The cushion covers are removeable and washable, though I have found spot cleaning the fibers to be super easy!*

A left hand with a light pink manicure and two silver rings rests on a beige fabric surface. — *The cushion covers are removeable and washable, though I have found spot cleaning the fibers to be super easy!*

Our kids want the Nugget out 24/7 (typically in the tunnel configuration, of course), but when we do need to store it, the base and cushion fold in half. So when we need more space, we can fold them, stand them up, and slip them into the playroom closet.

Putting the play chair to the test

For a smaller, more compact play option, Nugget’s new play chair has been the perfect addition to our home. We tested the Smore in Buckaroo, a classic dark-wash denim that feels soft and versatile and blends well with our decor. Every Smore chair is GREENGUARD Gold certified and uses CertiPUR-US®-certified foam; the products pass California’s TB-117 and contain no flame-retardant chemicals.

A dark gray armchair sits on a wooden floor near a potted plant in a wicker stand, against a light-colored wall. — *The Smore chair is GREENGUARD Gold certified and uses CertiPUR-US®-certified foam*.

A toddler in a pink top and gray shorts stands in front of a blue armchair on a wooden floor next to a potted plant. — *The Smore chair is GREENGUARD Gold certified and uses CertiPUR-US®-certified foam*.

Like the play couch, the play chair arrives vacuum-sealed and is very easy to bring into the house and set up solo. There is no strange smell or complicated setup process—it’s quite literally a five-minute ordeal from the moment the box hits your doorstep to playtime.

We found our toddler was attracted to the chair as soon as it was unpacked and set up. It makes for a perfect reading chair or spot to have a snack and watch Ms. Rachel. Because it comes apart into three separate pieces, it’s also great for play and different configurations. It grows with your child, too, so it’s not one of those kids’ items you’ll use for six months and then pack away.

Unlike the play couch, which is safe for ages 1+, the brand strictly recommends the Smore for ages 2+, and after setting it up, it became clear why. The chair isn’t like a traditional children’s chair and offers minimal support when sitting (we’d go as far as to say the “sturdy” claim on the website is a reach). Because the three cushions come apart so easily, the chair works best when pushed up against a wall; otherwise, it can tip over. As we all know, toddlers love to climb, so it’s best to wait on the chair until they’re old enough to support themselves and move the pieces around, basically using it as intended.

“Overall, we really like the Smore for what it is: a smaller, softer play option that doesn’t take up nearly as much space as a full play couch.”

Overall, we really like the Smore for what it is: a smaller, softer play option that doesn’t take up nearly as much space as a full play couch. It’s easy to set up, looks good in our home, and our toddler immediately took to it. Just keep the age recommendation and its less-sturdy design in mind—it’s best suited for older toddlers who can safely navigate the cushions on their own.

A toddler with two hair bows sits in a blue armchair on a wooden floor, looking at a book with a blue cover. A plant and woven basket are visible to the right. — *Because the three cushions come apart so easily, the chair works best when pushed up against a wall; otherwise, it can tip over.*

A toddler in a pink top and gray shorts stands on a dark blue foam couch with one cushion pulled out onto a wooden floor. — *Because the three cushions come apart so easily, the chair works best when pushed up against a wall; otherwise, it can tip over.*

Is The Nugget really worth it?

At $249, this play couch isn’t cheap. That said, we strongly believe it’s hard to put a price on something that lets toddlers sit (even for a minute or two!) and spark their creativity during playtime. If you plan to display your Nugget in a living room or playroom, we highly recommend ordering the $10 fabric swatch set to make sure it matches your interior design. This way, you can compare it to other furniture items and decor in your home before committing to one colorway.

Both the fabric and foam components of the Nugget come with a two-year limited warranty from the date of your delivery, and only people who purchased directly through the website or authorized sellers are eligible. The warranty doesn’t cover every situation, but you can review the full details and exceptions here.

A young child sits smiling inside a small tent made from beige couch cushions, with puzzle pieces scattered on the floor nearby. — *The Nugget is an investment at $249, but there’s no doubt that my busy toddler will use his play couch for years and years to come.*

A woman reads a book to a young boy while they sit on a beige sofa; a toy giraffe and wooden puzzle are nearby. — *The Nugget is an investment at $249, but there’s no doubt that my busy toddler will use his play couch for years and years to come.*

The return policy for Nugget products is fairly strict, too: it must be an order placed within the U.S., within 30 days of the delivery date, and “unopened, unused, and in the original packaging,” according to the brand. You can’t return orders delivered to Canada, collaboration products, orders with three or more products, opened and used products or gift card purchases. If you received a damaged product, you have to act fast and contact Nugget within 48 hours to process a return or exchange.

Also note, the play couch specifically takes up a lot of real estate (the overall dimensions are 66” W x 33” D x 22.25” H), so you should measure your space to determine whether it’s a fit for your home’s layout. If you live in a smaller home, we recommend the chair, which is much smaller at 27″ W x 27″ D x 21.75″.

“It’s a big purchase (in both size and value), but one we expect to use for years.”

Later on, you can even swap out the cushion covers to switch up the play couch’s look. For the couch, we kept it simple with Dunebuggy (a warm beige), but the brand also offers punchier colors, like cobalt blue or lime green. No matter the arrangement or color scheme, the Nugget play collection is a worthy investment — and trust us, you’ll be perfecting your own “tunnel” in no time.

Blake Bakkila is a freelance writer and editor with eight years of experience covering topics including baby and parenting, food, health, pop culture, and interior design. In addition to The Good Trade, her work has appeared in the digital publications of Architectural Digest, Sunset, Good Housekeeping, and more. She highlighted the best, most game-changing baby and parenting products as the former senior commerce editor at What to Expect and BabyCenter, and she’s also held editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, Health, Real Simple, and People. Blake holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. When she’s not typing, you can usually find her watching anything on Bravo, entertaining her son Rhode, and conducting field research on the best ice cream in Southern California.

Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has uncovered and reviewed the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of phone notes, a Substack newsletter with 7,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.

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