Last Updated on February 21, 2023 by bethrmartin
For the past few years, the Nugget play sofa has taken over Instagram and children’s playrooms, and it’s easy to see why.
Forget the days of stealing all the cushions from your sectional sofa to build a fort. The soft foam cushions can be used as a couch to watch tv, shaped into a mega castle, designed like a spaceship, set up like a playmat, or used to create an obstacle course.
The possibilities are only limited by your kids’ imagination, making it a pretty perfect toy.
If you are looking for an option other than the play couch that started it all, this guide will help you find the best Nugget couch alternative.
So here we go!
Skip Ahead to the Best Nugget Alternatives↓
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What is the Original Nugget Couch?
The original Nugget play couch is a specific brand of play sofa that has exploded in popularity. It includes four foam pieces: a sturdy base, a soft cushion, and two triangle pillows.
The microsuede covers are easy to remove and machine washable, which is extra necessary for those playtime spills. There are three classic colors, tons of cute limited edition colors, and even special edition patterns like Elmo or Toy Story.
- The set is made of 4 pieces: 1 base, 1 cushion, and 2 triangle pillows
- Available in 3 classic colors, 11 limited edition colors, and 5 special edition colors
- Machine washable microsuede covers
- No sharp corners
- 30-day trial
- Free shipping
You can even combine multiple Nugget sets to create the ultimate imaginative play couch building block set!
Why Other Play Couches?
The original play couch is great, but many excellent brands make quality Nugget Couch alternatives.
This guide is for you if you want something more unique, affordable, eco-friendly, smaller, or even waterproof.
Supply chain issues are also still an important factor. With everything in constant flux, it’s not the worst idea to have a backup option when you are in the market for specific kids’ toys.
So let’s jump in and search for the best Nugget replacement.
​​Here are my top picks for the best Nugget Couch Alternatives on the market this year.
- The Figgy – Best Nugget Alternative
- Member’s Mark Kid’s Explorer Sofa – Best Budget Option
- Brentwood Home Play Couch – Best Luxury Upgrade
- Jaxx Zipline Playscape – Best Nugget Dupe
- Foamnasium Blocksy Mini
- FDP SoftScape Playtime
- MeMoreCool Kids Couch
1. The Figgy – Best Nugget Alternative
The Figgy is one of the best Nugget couch alternatives because it’s constructed from high-quality materials, and the base entirely comes apart. This change makes for easy storage and gives your little ones more ways to create.
The Figgys’s machine washable covers come in many attractive colors, and you can select waterproof liners. Hooray for less mess!
These improvements make this play couch extra durable, so you can worry less about those little accidents that are bound to happen, and your children can focus more on playtime.
When you sign up for their newsletter, you get $15 off your order, which is a pretty good deal.
- Free shipping within the US on orders over $140
- Each infinitely configurable kids’ couch includes six pieces, with an additional wedge for purchase.
- Available in nine cover colors
- CertiPUR-US Foam Inserts
- Uniform pad thickness for easier and more predictable building
- A superior cover material that is comfortable, water resistant, and machine washable
- Available with or without waterproof liners
- Covered zippers to protect your kids’ skin, walls, and floors safe
- Velcro connecting strips helps keep the cushions together
2. Member’s Mark Kid’s Explorer Sofa – Best Budget Option
The Explorer Sofa from Sam’s Club is a great budget alternative to the Nugget, and the components are very similar to the original. If you already have a Sam’s Club membership, this is a fantastic price, so keep in mind that membership is required.
Some customers have issues with the zippers breaking, so consider what type of use this set will get before buying. Spot cleaning most of the time and only taking off the covers when necessary will most likely prolong the life of your investment.
There are some quality differences between the Nugget vs Sam’s Club Couch, but the smaller price makes it easy to justify.
- Four cushion set: 1 base layer, 1 comfort layer, and two triangles
- Available in 9 solid colors
- Must have a Sam’s Club membership
- 1-year warranty
- Removable covers are machine washable
3. Brentwood Home Play Couch – Best Luxury Upgrade
This play couch has six pieces (two more than the Nugget) and is chock-full of eco-friendly accolades. It is Greengard certified, formaldehyde-free, the fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, and the company is 100% carbon offset and powered by 100% renewable energy – which is seriously impressive.
The cushions are made from high-density foam formulated with up to 20% BioFoam®, meaning it’s made from vegetable materials. This gives a softer feel than the Nugget couch, making it extra comfy but not as sturdy for fort building.
With the extra pieces and luxury materials, this Nugget alternative is the best upgraded option to the Nugget Comfort.
- 6 available colors
- Each play couch is made of 6 pieces
- Covers are removable and machine washable
- The only Greenguard Gold and Formaldehyde-Free claim verified play couch on the market
- Awarded 2021 Best Tested Product by Good Housekeeping®
- 1-year limited warranty
- They donate to the National Forest Foundation for every mattress sold
4. Jaxx Zipline Playscape – Best Nugget Dupe
The Jaxx Zipline PlayScape is similar to the Nugget but with updated details. The zippers are hidden under the fabric so they won’t get snagged on soft skin, and you can feel confident with the eco-friendly, made-in-the-USA foam.
With ten punchy color choices, you will surely find the perfect choice that your kids will love. The Jaxx Zipline also offers many clever accessories that will make this a versatile play couch and the envy of all playrooms.
- The set is made of 4 pieces: 1 top cushion, 1 bottom cushion, and 2 triangle-shaped pillows
- Available in 10 solid cover colors
- The Jaxx Zipline has easy to clean machine-washable covers
- Covered zippers are extra kid-safe
- Made in the USA
5. Foamnasium Blocksy Mini
When you don’t have room for an entire play couch, the Foamnasium Blocksy Mini is the perfect play chair and will offer just as much enjoyment for your kiddos. This compact chair only has one main base cushion, making it ideal for tight spaces.
The Foamnasium Blocksy vinyl covers are not machine washable but will wipe clean easily.
The foam is more firm than other couch alternatives, so consider this before purchasing. This firmness is excellent for builders, but you might want to add an extra pillow for movie night. This is the best Foamnasium option for smaller rooms or tight spaces.
- The set is made of three pieces: one folding base and two wedge cushions
- Foamnasium Blocksy Mini is great for small spaces
- Available in nine colors
- Made in the USA and part of a family-run company since 1952
- Entirely handmade
- Antimicrobial
- Greenguard gold
- Foam and vinyl construction
- Additional accessories sold separately
- The Foamnasium Blocksy kids’ couch is also available if you like this style but want a full-size version
6. FDP SoftScape Playtime
This set isn’t exactly a play couch but a giant set of soft building blocks. Your kids can let their imagination run wild and build just like they would with blocks, and what is more fun than that?
You can’t remove the covers on this set, but the material is a durable polyurethane that can easily be wiped clean. This set is on the smaller side and best suited for children under one.
- 6 piece set with unique cushion shapes
- Available in five cover colors
- Wipeable and water-resistant
- Greenguard certified (gold)
7. MeMoreCool Kids Couch
If you are looking for a play couch that acts more like a piece of furniture, this Toddler sofa is a practical and cute option for any kids’ room.
This kids’ couch has fewer pieces than others on this list, but it’s adorable, perfect for smaller spaces, and an excellent price for the set. The size is perfect for toddlers, and the couch will remain entertaining as your child grows.
It can be used as a couch with two ottomans, or when your children are done sitting, the sofa can flip into a play mat, and the fun begins. The product description shows this set turned into a ball pit, which is such a clever idea!
The glow-in-the-dark unicorn pattern is beyond fun, and it’s also offered in stars and dinosaurs.
- Available in 4 colorways: 4 glow-in-the-dark print options
- Each play couch is made of 3 pieces
- Slipcovers are removable and machine washable microsuede
- Additional covers are available for purchase
- The sofa has a side storage pocket
Final Thoughts
The original play couch has become an instant classic, but you can now see you have many great Nugget couch alternatives to keep your kids busy for hours.
My ultimate recommendation on this list would be The Figgy. Since they have added waterproof liners and covered zippers, this set costs more, but the benefits far outweigh the cost. It’s an investment, but it’s built to last and be the hit of the neighborhood for kids of all ages.
If you are on a budget, you can’t beat the price of the Explorer sofa as a Nugget alternative. The components are almost the same as the Nugget, and while they might not be the same quality, you will definitely get your money’s worth.
Overall, these play couches will bring your family so much joy and entertainment, so you can’t go wrong. No matter which one you choose, grab your favorite play couch and start building. If you need some play couch configuration ideas, this handy guide will give you a ton of Nugget couch ideas to keep your kids busy for hours!
Would you choose the Nugget or one of these other options?
