Remember when everyone suddenly started talking about play couches? It was early 2020, and with families spending more time at home, these versatile pieces of furniture became the must-have item for kids.
The Nugget play couch was leading the pack, but they couldn’t keep up with demand – couches were selling out within seconds of restocking. That’s when something interesting happened: enter the Figgy Play Couch, a new alternative that’s been getting a lot of attention.
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The Story Behind the Figgy
Rachel and Chris, the minds behind Figgy, aren’t just business owners – they’re parents who understood exactly what families needed. Like many of us, they were tired of finding their living room couch completely dismantled every time their kids wanted to build a fort.
Instead of just accepting this as part of parent life, they decided to create something better: a play couch that would be safe, durable, connectable, fun, and parent-approved.
What Sets the Figgy Apart?
The Building Blocks
The basic Figgy set includes:
- 4 individual square base cushions (all the same size for maximum versatility)
- 2 rectangle cushions (perfect for creating different structures)
- Optional wedge cushion add-on (similar to, but not exactly like, the Nugget pillow)
- Waterproof liners (sold separately)
- Machine washable covers with hidden zipper pockets
- A variety of fabrics designed to fit your lifestyle and home
What makes this play couch special is the velcro system. Unlike other modular kids sofas, where base pieces are permanently attached, each Figgy base cushion can connect and disconnect using industrial-strength velcro. During testing, this velcro proved to be incredibly strong – sometimes surprisingly so.
While it might require some muscle to separate, this strength ensures that structures stay stable during even the most energetic play sessions. Making it easy for kids to jump and climb on their builds, Figgy was designed to withstand weight and hold even the most imaginative combinations.
Safety First: Materials and Certifications
The Figgy team takes safety seriously, with impressive certifications to back up their claims:
The fabric covers are:
- Oeko-Tex certified, tested for toxins and human and eco-safe
- Made with certified dyes according to Standard 100 Oeko-Tex
- Non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals
- Available in spill and stain-resistant options with GREENGUARD GOLD certification
The trademark FiggyFoam is:
- Made without ozone depleters
- Free from PBDEs and specific Tris flame retardants (TCEP, TDBPP, TDCPP, TEPA)
- Made without mercury, lead, or other heavy metals
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made without regulated phthalates
- Certified for low VOC emissions (less than 0.5 parts per million)
- Sustainable Production
All Figgy couches are designed in Madison, Wisconsin, and manufactured in their Greenville, South Carolina factory, so they work with locally sourced foam to reduce shipping impact. Built for longevity to reduce waste!
Our Testing Experience
During our months of testing the Figgy, we’ve put it through every possible scenario a family could encounter. While there have been many spills and messes, one particular incident really put the cleaning features to the ultimate test. Let’s just say it involved a diaper situation that required immediate and thorough cleaning. This unexpected event actually became our most convincing demonstration of the Figgy’s cleaning capabilities.
The Cleaning Test
Remember that “poopy slide” incident I mentioned? Well, here’s what happened:
- The waterproof liner contained the mess completely
- The cover came off easily thanks to the well-designed zipper system
- Machine washing following the care instructions worked perfectly
- No stains remained
- The foam stayed protected throughout
This real-life stress test showed why those waterproof liners aren’t just a nice-to-have – they’re essential.
Durability Check
The high-density foam has proven remarkably resilient. It maintains shape even after heavy use, supports weight-bearing configurations, bounces back after compression and least but not last, it shows no signs of breaking down. At least for us, that’s a deal breaker.
Development Benefits: More Than Just Play
Dr. Jayna Niblock, who holds a PhD and multiple certifications in occupational therapy, explains that Figgy does more than entertain. The physical play it encourages helps develop:
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor coordination
- Visual motor skills
- Cognitive abilities
- Social-emotional skills
These benefits come through natural exploration and play, making it a valuable tool for child development.
Figgy vs. Nugget: A Detailed Comparison
Let’s break down the key differences:
Configuration and Design
Figgy:
- 6 piece set (4 separate base cushions, 2 rectangle cushions)
- Velcro connection system for ultimate builds
- Waterproof Layer to protect against spills
- Stain and spill proof fabric options
- Sturdy & firm trademarked Figgy Foam for climbing and fort building
- Hidden zippers & zippers garages Optional cushion add-ons
- Color changing covers available
- Perfect for toddler to adult
Nugget:
- 4 piece set (2 connected base pieces, 2 triangular pillows)
- Not waterproof
- No ability to separate or connect cushions
- Exposed zipper pulls
- Floppy layer foam, thinner cushion design
- Cover changing cover with more color options
- Simpler overall design
- Good for big kids
Price Breakdown
Availability
Both brands currently ship within a few business days, though this can change during peak seasons. when it is sold out or unavailable. And after our experience, it’s totally understable: Figgy play couch is like having a treehouse high but way funnier!
Making Your Decision: What To Know Before Buying a Figgy Couch
The Pros
- Superior stability, long lasting foam with the velcro system
- Non-toxic, third party certified safe materials
- Versatile, custom configuration options
- Spill and stain proof fabric options, machine washable covers
- Strong, durable velcro connectors
- USA-made quality
- Optional waterproof liners
The Considerations
- Higher initial investment
- Limited color selection
- Very strong velcro can be challenging
- Additional pieces cost extra
Bottom Line
Based on extensive testing and real-world use, the Figgy Play Couch delivers on its promises. With a price point that mirrors the Nugget, the innovative velcro system, third party certifications, and thoughtful kid friendly design provides value that justifies the cost for many families.
For homes with active kids who love building and creating, the Figgy offers a safe, durable, and versatile play solution. The emphasis on safety certifications, quality materials, and practical features like waterproof liners shows that this product was truly designed by parents who understand what families need.
Whether it’s worth the investment will depend on your specific situation, but if you’re looking for a play couch that combines safety, durability, and versatility, the Figgy makes a strong case for itself.
NOTE ON UPCOMING SALES:
If you want to note or mention upcoming SALES: we know NUGGET DOES NOT HAVE HOLIDAY SALES- while Figgy is known to advertise big black friday deals and cyber mondays savings.
“For insider deals and exclusive savings we follow figgy on instagram, you can also sign up for the Figgy their newsletter for their latest offers.”
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