Let’s be honest: as parents, we are constantly fighting the Battle of the Screen. We want our kids to have fun, but we also dread the "zombie stare" that comes after an hour of passive tablet watching. We want them moving, jumping, and laughing, not just tapping a piece of glass.
Enter the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids.
I recently got my hands on this device because I was searching for a solution that bridged the gap between digital entertainment and physical exercise. I’ve tested a lot of gaming consoles in my time as a tech blogger, but this one promised something different: a controller-free experience that turns your living room into an arcade.
In this detailed review, we are going to dive deep into the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids, exploring its features, how it handles active play, and whether it is truly worth the investment for your family.
Who Is It For? (Target Audience)
Before we unpack the box, let’s figure out if you are the right person for this console. The Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids is a niche product that solves a specific set of problems.
This is the perfect product for:
- Parents of energetic kids (Ages 4-12): If your children have energy to burn, especially on rainy days or during long winters, this system gets them sweating without wrecking the house.
- Families who love Game Night: If you want an activity that involves everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—without the barrier of learning complex controllers, this is it.
- Households with limited space: Unlike massive VR setups or treadmill gaming, the Nex Playground is tiny and requires just a clear view of the living room floor.
- Safety-conscious parents: Because there are no controllers to throw at the TV and no VR headsets to isolate the child from the room, it is a much safer alternative for young players.
Who might skip this:
- Hardcore Gamers: If your child is expecting 4K, realistic graphics like a PS5 or Xbox Series X, or wants to play Call of Duty, this isn't for them. This is about motion and casual fun, not high-fidelity role-playing games.
- Dark Rooms: The system relies on a camera. If your play space is a dedicated home theater that is pitch black, the tracking won't work well.
Product Overview & Summary
The Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids is essentially a small, camera-equipped cube that plugs into your TV. It uses proprietary AI to track body movements, turning your physical actions into gameplay. Think of it as the modern, smarter evolution of the old Xbox Kinect, but much smaller and designed specifically for families.
Here is the quick breakdown of what you need to know:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Nex Playground |
| Primary Function | Motion-based active gaming console |
| Controller Type | None! (Your body is the controller) |
| Setup Time | Under 10 minutes |
| Best Feature | Privacy-focused AI (does not record video) |
| Price Range | Mid-range (Hardware) + Optional Subscription |
| My Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) |
Quick Verdict
If you are looking for the "healthy" alternative to video games, this is it. It successfully gamifies exercise in a way that tricks kids into working out.
In-Depth Review: Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I tested the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids over the course of two weeks with a mix of age groups (a 5-year-old, a 9-year-old, and two tired adults). Here is how it held up.
1. Appearance & Design
When you unbox the Nex Playground, the first thing you notice is how unassuming it is. In a world of giant gaming towers, the Nex is a colorful, compact cube. It feels friendly. It doesn’t look like a piece of intimidating tech; it looks like a toy, which fits the aesthetic of a family room perfectly.
The build quality feels solid. It has a bit of weight to it, so it won’t slide off your media console easily. The front houses the wide-angle camera, and the back has your standard power and HDMI ports. It is minimalist and clean.
2. Performance & Features
This is where the magic happens. The core promise of the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids is accurate motion tracking, and I was genuinely impressed by the latency—or lack thereof.
When you jump, the character on screen jumps. When you wave your arm to whack a virtual mole, it registers instantly.
- The AI Tracking: The system creates a skeletal map of the players. It can track multiple people at once, which is essential for multiplayer party games.
- The Library: The Playground comes with several built-in games, but the real value unlocks with the "Play Pass" subscription. This gives you access to branded games (think Sesame Street, Peppa Pig, and various sports titles).
- Privacy First: A massive concern for parents is having a camera in the living room. Nex has addressed this brilliantly. The processing happens on the device. It does not stream video of your living room to the cloud, and it comes with a physical privacy cover for the camera when not in use.
3. User-Friendliness
Setting up the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids was arguably the easiest tech setup I’ve done this year.
- Plug in HDMI.
- Plug in Power.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
That’s it. There are no controllers to pair, no complex calibration screens where you have to stand on one foot, and no software updates that take three hours. The menu navigation is done by using your hand as a cursor in the air (similar to Minority Report, but for kids). Even the 5-year-old figured out how to select a game within minutes.
4. Durability & Quality
While the device itself is durable, the "durability" aspect here really applies to your home. Because there are no controllers, there is zero risk of a remote flying through your OLED TV screen during an intense game of virtual tennis.
The software appears stable as well. We experienced no crashes or freezing during our testing period, which is crucial when you have impatient children waiting to play.
5. Value for Money
Is the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids worth the price tag?
The hardware cost is reasonable compared to a Nintendo Switch or Xbox. However, you need to factor in the subscription model. While you can play without the subscription, the best games—and the ones that keep kids engaged long-term—are behind the Play Pass paywall.
However, when you compare the cost of this system to the cost of a gym membership or buying multiple sports equipment sets for the backyard, the value proposition becomes clear. You are paying for entertainment and physical health.
.jpg "Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids & Families Where Indoor Physical Activity Meets Interactive Family Fun and is Great for Gaming Nights, Parties and Playdates")
Pros & Cons
To give you a balanced view of the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids, here is a breakdown of the highs and lows.
Pros:
- Gets Kids Moving: This is the biggest selling point. It turns sedentary time into active calorie-burning time.
- No Controllers Needed: Eliminates the "battery is dead" or "I lost the remote" drama.
- Group Fun: Excellent for playdates and family bonding.
- Privacy Centric: The physical camera cover and on-device processing offer peace of mind.
- Compact Design: Fits in any room, easy to travel with to grandma’s house.
Cons:
- Lighting Dependent: The camera needs a reasonably lit room to track movement accurately.
- Subscription Model: To get the most out of the device, you really need the recurring subscription.
- Simple Graphics: Do not expect photorealistic visuals; the art style is generally bright, cartoony, and simple.
Alternatives & Comparisons
If you aren't 100% sold on the Nex Playground, there are two main competitors in the active gaming space, though they function differently.
Nex Playground vs. Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the closest competitor regarding family friendliness. Games like Nintendo Switch Sports or Just Dance offer active play.
- Why choose Switch: You want a massive library of famous games (Mario, Zelda) and portable handheld play.
- Why choose Nex: You want a 100% hands-free experience. With Switch, you still have to hold Joy-Cons, which can be difficult for very small children or seniors with grip issues. The Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids removes the hardware barrier entirely.
Nex Playground vs. Meta Quest 3 (VR)
- Why choose Meta Quest: You want total immersion and high-end tech.
- Why choose Nex: VR is generally not recommended for children under 10-12 due to eye development and isolation. The Nex Playground is a social experience where you see your family members, interact with the real world, and don't wear a headset.
Conclusion: Is the Nex Playground Right for You?
After spending time jumping, ducking, and steering virtual cars with my invisible steering wheel, I can confidently say that the Nex Playground - The Active Play System for Kids is a winner for modern families.
It solves the screen time guilt. It transforms a rainy Saturday afternoon into an indoor Olympics. It is rare to find a piece of technology that actually encourages you to get up off the couch rather than sink deeper into it.
If you are tired of your kids sitting still for hours and want a gaming system that promotes fitness, laughter, and genuine face-to-face interaction, the Nex Playground is the upgrade your living room needs.
Ready to get moving?
0 Comments