If you’re looking for a new active gaming system for your kids, look no further than this Nex Playground review. As a mom of two (ages 5 and 7), the Nex Playground has been a hit in my household. And it isn’t just for the kids. Grandparents, aunts, uncles—the whole family, really—have enjoyed this small-sized console filled with interactive games. This system is redefining the word “playground” and transforming the way kids and families are having screen time fun right in their own living room.
If you are an active family that enjoys playing together—think cards, board games, and dance parties—this will be something you will love. It’s a great way to get everyone up and moving. The biggest plus? Although the Nex Playground is a screen time device, your kiddos aren’t sitting still in front of a screen (yay!). This system is a way for the full family to engage in active play together indoors.
But what exactly is the Nex Playground, and how can parents decide if this active game system is the right fit? Here, I’m breaking down this mom-approved video game console, how it works, how it compares to another popular active gaming system, and more. Keep reading for my full Nex Playground review below.
You May Also Like:
- Toniebox vs. Toniebox 2: My Review of Tonies’ Latest Toddler-Favorite Toy
- Tonies vs. Yoto: Which Kids’ Audio Player Wins for Families?
- Magna-Tiles vs. PicassoTiles Review: Which One Is Best for Your Kids?
- The Best Sports Gifts for Kids of 2025
Key Takeaways
- Age range best for: 4 – 12
- Price: $249
- Subscription: Not required, but highly recommended to access the full game catalog
- PlayPass cost: $49 for 3 months or $89 for 12 months
- Space needed: a few inches for the device and 6 feet for game play
- Favorite game in my household: Fruit Ninja
- My parent rating (1–5 stars): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- My kids’ rating (1–5 stars): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What is the Nex Playground?
This 3-by-3-inch system easily connects to your television and provides instant fun with games to choose from, like freeze dance, virtual bowling, and so much more. Without having to hold on to a controller, the Nex Playground uses AI to track body movements at a high-speed rate when playing any game. Say ‘goodbye’ to flying controllers (IYKYK). This system is filled with endless entertainment for the whole family when you want a good balance between screen time and active fun.
What is included in the package?
Nex Playground: The console itself
Magnetic privacy cover: When not using the Nex Playground, move the magnetic privacy cover over the camera.
Remote control: Navigate through the system with the handheld control, which also comes with an arm strap. This isn’t required once playing a game.
Power supply and HDMI cable: To connect the device and display the games on the television or projector screen
How to set up the Nex Playground
As a parent, setting up any type of game, toy, or console can be the most frustrating part. However, setting up the Nex Playground was a breeze. From start to finish, the process took me under 10 minutes (if even)—no external app downloads or tricky processes required.
With each part clearly labeled, you don’t need to have anything else to complete the setup (the device even comes with batteries for the remote). After you connect the power source and the HDMI to both the TV and device, and the power outlet, the on-TV prompts are incredibly simple and intuitive. It even provides troubleshooting help if you need it. When you need to access your phone to complete setup, you are prompted with a QR code to complete the process with no app download required (one less app to keep track of!). Once you connect to the WiFi, you’re all set.
How the Nex Playground works
Once the device is set up, the process of getting the sensors aligned is super easy for the kids to understand, too. The system prompts you where to stand and corrects you if your position isn’t in the right place. When you’re ready to confirm your selection, raise your arms in the air, and the console confirms that you’re ready. Then it’s time for the real fun: the Nex Playground games.
The games
The Nex Playground comes loaded with five core games: Whac-a-Mole, Party Fowl, Fruit Ninja, Starri, and Go Keeper as a part of your system purchase. We immediately played Whac-Mole, which is a two-player game. This simple yet fun game had us using our hands to play an arcade-style game and whack the moles as they popped up.
Fruit Ninja (a family favorite) had us slicing fruit with our hands to collect points. And the game Go Keeper had players using their hands to keep soccer balls out of the net (this game required the most hand-eye coordination of the three). Right away, we realized we loved everything we played. So, ultimately, we decided that upgrading to the full library of games via PlayPass would be worth it. PlayPass gave us access to 45+ games—a huge plus is knowing that more games are added frequently.
The PlayPass
If you’re interested in purchasing the PlayPass, I recommend testing the preloaded games the device comes with first. While my kids took to it pretty quickly, your family may be different, so decide what works best for you. The PlayPass has 12-month and 3-month subscription options. A full year of PlayPass costs $89, while the 3-month subscription costs $49. With this feature activated, we had access to the entire catalog of games (ad-free) with new games added every month.
My family’s favorite Nex Playground games
This Nex Playground review would not be complete without talking about the games. With the wide variety of games, I’d say these are our top five to play as a family and are also included in the PlayPass catalog.
Bluey Bust-a-Move
As fans of the beloved kids’ show Bluey, anything Bluey-related caught our attention. In this freeze dance-style game, pick iconic songs to dance to from the show.
Bluey Keepy Uppy
This iconic Bluey game is recognizable from the show, too. Any time my kids see a balloon, we naturally play ‘Keepy-Uppy,’ where the main objective is to make sure the balloon doesn’t hit the ground. But if you don’t have a real-life balloon available, ‘Keepy Uppy’ on the Nex Playground is the next best thing.
Bowling Strike!
Virtual Bowling, need I say more? When you need an at-home family activity, bring the bowling alley right to your living room.
Connect 4 Bounce
Play Connect 4 but with a twist. Use your hands to ‘bounce’ the ball, and see where it falls into the disc catcher.
Miniacs: Steering Madness
If you’re looking for a four-person game, Miniacs: Steering Madness is an enjoyable car-racing game. Steer with a virtual steering wheel and race against each other!
Who can play with the Nex Playground?
The Nex Playground is advertised for ages 5 and up, but there are some games for little ones, like “Peppa Pig: Jump & Giggle” and “Elmo Says.” For my kids, who are 5 and 7 years old, they were able to learn the games pretty quickly. But this can look different for every child.
As far as what ages this console works best for, I’d personally say around the 4- to 12-year-old demographic. The games have various interest levels and abilities. However, they’re not too complex in terms of the skill required and the subject matter. I think older kids would consider this to be “babyish,” but as an adult, my husband and I loved playing this with our kids!
Nex Playground Review: Would I recommend the Nex Playground?
Even with the cost of the device starting at $249, plus the additional cost of the PlayPass, I’d say that the Nex Playground is 100 percent worth it. Going in, I knew this was an “active” console, but I didn’t expect the level of movement it would provide my energy-filled kids, which is something that works great for my family. Still teetering on a decision? Here is my final breakdown of everything I love about the Nex Playground: the pros, cons, and how it compares to other devices.
The PlayPass is worth purchasing
Doing the math, with the five preloaded games, adding the PlayPass (which updates with new games very frequently) comes out to be under $90 for 12 months. Which, in my opinion, makes paying for the whole year worth it. This is considering that a single game for other systems can cost over $50, with a console usually priced at over $400. Ultimately, the cost and value of the Nex Playground system with the PlayPass is excellent.
The device has kept my kids (and family) entertained
We’ve had the Nex Playground for a few months now, and my kids still love it! When friends and family come over or when we have scheduled playdates and gatherings, they love teaching guests how to play. It’s been a great way to get older family members who aren’t really “get on the floor and play” people involved in kid-friendly fun.
How the Nex Playground compares to other consoles
My 7-year-old son was gifted a Nintendo Switch for his birthday (a gift he desperately wanted), and he loves it. Although as a parent, I personally prefer the Nex Playground because it encourages more movement vs. sitting, compared to the gaming options with the Nintendo Switch.
The pros
There’s so much to love about the Nex Playground, but what really wins me over is that it’s the type of screen time I approve of. This system has age-appropriate games that encourage physical movement for indoor play. It’s perfect for small spaces, a rainy-day activity, and a travel-friendly option. Plus, the game catalog gives a wide variety to meet varying interests, like Zumba Fitness Party for adults!
The cons
My Nex Playground review would not be complete without pointing out this one flaw. As a family of four and as parents who love to participate, too, one con is that the majority of the games are two-player. This is something to keep in mind if you have more than two kids or plan on entertaining a group.
How to snag this family-fun active game system
This system is a great option to gift as a birthday present or as a present for the holidays! Purchase it directly from the Nex Playground website or Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Sam’s Club.
My final Nex Playground review thought: If you are investing in a gaming system for a family with various-aged kids, I can’t iterate enough how this is one of the best investments. It gets my family up and moving, it can accommodate multiple players, there are different levels of dexterity, and you’re accommodating multiple interests without significant costs for games. It truly is a win-win for everyone!
Alexandra Pagar-Wolf, Chief of Sales
Alexandra is the Chief of Sales working with both The Everygirl and The Everymom’s partners, sponsors, and collaborators since 2015. She works with all partners to develop multi-channel programs and partnerships that bring our readers the latest trends from key brands such as La Marca Prosecco, Obé Fitness, Blue Apron, Kohl’s, Kendall Jackson, Glossier, and Equilibria.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
