Shopping
These Modular Couches Are Perfect For Climbing
A cross between furniture and toy, they'll keep your kids busy for hours.
It’s a fact: kids love to climb. Even if you spend the entire day at the playground, they’re still going to come home and want to launch themselves off of your living room set. That’s probably what explains some of the fascination with the modular Nugget couch. Sure, it functions as seating, but it’s so, so much more, transforming into anything that your kiddo can come up with — a castle, a cave, or even a super slide. But if you can’t get a Nugget couch, you can always try these Nugget couch alternatives instead.
At one point, it was almost impossible to get your hands on a Nugget. The wait list for The Nugget couch ($229) was many months long, in fact. It makes you wonder how four foam pieces (i.e. a base, cushion, and two triangle pillows) could cause such a commotion, but The Nugget has legions of followers (it boasts over 22,000 5-star reviews on its site alone). That’s why Nugget couch alternatives are quickly growing popular, too.
But what is it about scaling your sofa or leaping from your loveseat in general that is so attractive to kids? Well, part of it is based in biology and how kids are wired, Anne Inwood, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker says. “Toddlers are climbing as they are developing their gross motor skills,” Inwood explains. “They want to use the new skills they are developing and continue to explore, and as they climb, some realize that they like the way that it makes their bodies feel.”
And that’s why you need a Nugget, or any of these modular Nugget couch alternatives that will be perfect for your mini mountain climber.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
1A Couch That Smiles At You
Perhaps it’s just the positioning of the cushions, but doesn’t it seem like The Joey from Roo & You is just smiling at you? Maybe it’s because a couch that you can stack, spread, or sit on is just so completely cool. Unlike The Nugget, The Joey is made from seven separate pieces, including a base, support, triangles that can be used as a backrest (or as part of a fort), and a half-moon arm rest pillow that could be used as anything your child imagines it to be. The couches are made from brushed microsuede and are as soft as they are stain resistant. Even your pooch can partake in the fun, since The Joey is pet-friendly, too, and it comes in 14 appealing colors.
22-In-1 Sofa
Is it a couch, or is it a table and chairs? With the Costzon Kids 2-in-1 Double Sofa, it really depends on the day—and what your child wants it to be. The double sofa can serve as a 2-seat armchair, or two chairs and a table for your kids. It’s super easy to clean (all it takes is a damp cloth and mild soap), and sports a sturdy construction in the form of a wooden frame covered by PVC surface, filled with a soft sponge, and is ASTM-certified. Your kid can transform this sofa into almost anything, or just take a quick nap on it when they’re all tuckered out from playing.
3Make It Modular
You won’t have to yell at your kid to stop climbing all over the couch when you get them this modular loveseat meant for children. Sure, your kid can use it as a couch, but it can also be used as a fort, a stage for putting on a show, or even a big ol’ sleeper, perfect for nap time. Inside the machine-washable covers is 100% cushy foam core that can withstand any bouncing and jumping your kid does on it. It comes in a bunch of colors, too, from blueberry (pictured) to cherry, lime, mandarin, and other fun fruit-themed names.
4Cake Sofa
From a fort to a table and chair, the options are endless with this transformable play furniture from Design Skins. Your child can transform it into a variety of shapes during play time, and when they’re tuckered out, simply switch it up into a sleeper for nap time. It’s made from 80% inner castella block foam, and 20% polyurethane memory fabric. (And those teeth are totally adorbs, too.) It’s designed for children ages 2 months and older (obvs with supervision). Best part: it can handle anything your kid dishes out, since you can wipe it clean. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty will protect your sofa in case of any accidental damage.
5More Than A Table & Chairs
The Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch is an excellent Nugget couch alternative, since it comes with two folding bases and two wedge cushions. It is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means that it meets or exceeds the standards for chemical emissions. It’s made from polyurethane foam, is lead and phthalate-free, and woot, super easy to clean in case of spills. And in case you’re not passionate about prime colors, the Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch comes in softer, more muted tones like mint, baby blue, gull gray, or even pewter. The vinyl is strong, so you won’t have to worry about ripping it, allowing your child to focus solely on having fun.
6Primary Seating
Your kid will literally run circles around you when you get them this sofa set sold at Wayfair. Although you can always keep the chairs together, you can flip them over to create a totally awesome tunnel for your kid to crawl through. The seats even have storage pockets to hold books or other toys.
7A Convertible Grey Couch
Sure, grey furniture is chic, but it also has the added benefit of being able to hide any spills that accidentally escape from sippy cups. That’s why Children’s Factory The Whatsit Kids Couch comes pretty close to being a contender for all your Nugget couch needs. Meant to grow with your child, the Whatsit can convert from being a sofa to two chairs, and then back again. It’s made from durable material so you can, in theory, have it from the time your kid is in preschool until they’re in the throes of puberty. The 6-piece set is stain repellant and easy to clean by throwing it into the washing machine.
8A Modular Loveseat You’re Going To Love
Yes, giving your child a couch that converts into, well, anything sounds exciting. But… it’s still a couch, and that can take up quite a bit of room. Enter this modular loveseat from Jaxx Zipline. You can use it as extra seating for your little sweetie, or you can help them transform it into a ball pit, a super cool spot during hide and seek, or even a fort. It’s machine washable and is made in the USA. And because it’s made from 100% foam core, you won’t have to worry about your kid hurting themselves on a corner of the couch.
If you’re in love with the idea of furniture that your kiddo can play on, these Nugget couch alternatives can make your home décor even more chic — and fun, too.
This article was originally published on
