What is a play sofa?
A play sofa is a modular kids sofa without a frame. It consists of foam pieces with fabric covers that together form a low sofa and can be rearranged at any time. Why is this kids sofa called a play sofa? Because rebuilding it is the game itself. Whether you call it a play sofa, a play couch or a modular play sofa: it always means this same principle.
A sofa at child height
Set up as a sofa, the play sofa is a low seat for reading, cuddling and resting, with no hard edges and no frame.
Building and playing
The folding mattresses become walls, the triangles become ramps and towers. This creates a den, a castle, a slide or an obstacle course, and in the end everything becomes a sofa again. Playing and building encourage imagination and movement, with no need for extra toys.
Sleeping surface for sleepover guests
Laid out flat, the mattresses become a place to sleep when friends or cousins stay over. In a child's room, the play sofa often replaces a separate guest bed.
Spares the other furniture
Without a play sofa of their own, sofa cushions and blankets from the living room end up on the floor during play. In many families, a play sofa replaces children's room furniture such as armchairs, bean bags and floor cushions, and the living room sofa stays for sitting.
Our standard model at a glance
The standard model consists of four pieces. Set up as a sofa, it covers an area of 160 x 80 cm. If you have less space, take a look at the Play Sofa Mini. If you need your own size, see the Made-to-measure play sofa.
| Module | Quantity | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Folding mattress, thick | 1 | 160 x 80 cm, 14 cm thick, foldable |
| Folding mattress, thin | 1 | 160 x 80 cm, 8 cm thick, foldable |
| Triangle | 2 | Foam wedge with its own cover, as an armrest, ramp or tower |
| Foam | all pieces | RG 20/30, soft and light, every core wrapped in thermal fleece |
| Cover | all pieces | removable cover, corduroy 5mm as standard, teddy or velvet on request |
| Set up as a sofa | - | 160 x 80 cm footprint |
Models and fabrics
Corduroy is our standard cover because it can go in the washing machine. Teddy is cuddlier and velvet feels smoother, but both need hand washing. All three fabrics are 100 % polyester and certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
Corduroy, teddy or velvet - the covers compared
The values come from the fabric data sheets. If your child romps, spills and you wash every day, corduroy 5mm is the most convenient choice. If you mainly want it cuddly, take Teddy-Bear, and if you like it elegant, velvet.
| Property | Corduroy 5mm | Teddy | Velvet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | fine ribs, good grip | dense, soft pile | smooth, slight sheen |
| Weight per area | approx. 270 g/m² | 380 g/m² | 250 g/m² |
| Abrasion resistance (Martindale) | over 80,000 cycles | 50,000 cycles | 60,000 cycles |
| Pilling (grade 1 to 5) | 3-4 | 4 | 5 |
| Colours | 9 colours | 4 colours | 10 colours |
| Washing | machine up to 40 degrees | hand wash only up to 30 degrees | hand wash only up to 30 degrees |
| Tumble dryer | yes, low setting | False | False |
| Finish | anti-stain, liquids bead off | PFAS-free | PFAS-free |
| Harmful substance testing | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
You can wash the corduroy 5mm cover in the machine at up to 40 degrees and dry it in the tumble dryer on a low setting. Do not bleach, and blot stains straight away where possible. Everything else is in the care instructions for corduroy 5mm.
Teddy and velvet cannot take machine washing or a tumble dryer, or the pile will felt. Wash by hand at up to 30 degrees and let the cover dry lying flat. Details are in the care instructions for Teddy-Bear and velvet.
The foam in the play sofa
For the foam, we show the values from the data sheet so that you can compare. For the kids sofa we use foam with a low density, and we do so on purpose: it is soft for romping and so light that children can carry and rebuild the pieces themselves.
Light enough for small hands
The density is 19.5 to 22.5 kg/m³ (EN ISO 845). At the same size, the foam weighs only a little over half as much as our firm foam RG 40/50. This matters for children, because they drag, stack and tip the pieces themselves, and the play sofa is quickly tidied away again.
Soft for jumping on
The compression hardness is 2.6 to 3.5 kPa at 40 % compression (EN ISO 3386-1). The foam gives way noticeably when a child drops onto it or slides off the triangle.
Shape-retaining despite a soft grade
Compression set is what counts for shape retention. According to the data sheet, it is at most 7 % (EN ISO 1856), and the rebound resilience is at least 35 %. The foam returns to its shape after romping and hardly sits through. The data sheet explicitly names children's mattresses as an area of use.
OEKO-TEX product class I for the foam
The foam is tested to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 in product class I, the class for baby articles (certificate IW 00049). It is a standard polyether foam, made without CFCs and without volatile solvents. The label applies to the foam, and the cover fabrics are certified separately to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
Thermal fleece around every core
Every foam core is wrapped in a layer of thermal fleece. This smooths the edges, the cover sits smoothly and is protected at the edges.
With a firm core on request
If you want it sturdier, you can have a firm core made of RG 40/50. It is much heavier, but even bigger children cannot press it through. For pieces that children often carry themselves, we recommend the light grade.
Made in our own production in Westoverledingen
If you are looking for a play sofa made in Germany: we cut the foam and fabric and sew the covers ourselves, in our sewing workshop in Westoverledingen. The cover fabrics come from European production. This way we know what goes into every piece.
Foam cutting and sewing workshop
We make the foam core and the cover ourselves. This is why we can adapt thickness, firmness and fabric for each piece, and also deliver single pieces as replacements.
5 working days delivery time
The play sofa in standard size arrives after about 5 working days. You will find more about shipping and delivery under shipping information.
14 days to return
You can return standard sizes within 14 days. Made-to-measure items are excluded. The details are set out in the right of withdrawal.
Play sofa accessories and extras
Replacement covers, extra modules, a concealed, child-safe zip and a colour mix for each module are possible. Ask us what suits your play sofa.
Made-to-measure play sofa
Under a loft bed, in a sloping roof or in an alcove, a ready-made size often does not fit. Because we make the foam and cover ourselves, we also build the play sofa to your size. How this works is explained on the page Made-to-measure play sofa.
Length, width and thickness
You set the dimensions, and we cut the foam to fit. You choose the thickness in even centimetres from 4 to 20 cm. How to measure correctly is shown in the measuring guide for furniture cushions.
Firmness and fabric freely selectable
Soft, light foam RG 20/30 or a firm core RG 40/50, plus corduroy, teddy or velvet, also mixed for each module.
Small tolerances are part of it
Foam and fabric cannot be made to the millimetre. Which deviations are usual is explained on the page tolerances for made-to-measure items.
Made-to-measure items are excluded from exchange
We make a made-to-measure play sofa only for you. This is why the 14-day right of return does not apply here. Check the dimensions before ordering, and if you have questions, we will help in the Service Centre.
Buying a play sofa - how to recognise quality
Play sofas and other children's sofas look similar in photos. The differences are in the foam, the cover and the small print. These points help when buying a play sofa, no matter which supplier you choose. You will find a detailed comparison in the guide Play sofa comparison.
Foam values with numbers
Density in kg/m³, compression hardness in kPa and compression set in percent say more than "mattress quality". A higher density makes the foam heavier and usually firmer, a lower one lighter and softer. Ask for the values if they are missing.
Washable with a temperature
"Washable" alone is not enough. Check whether the cover can go in the machine, at how many degrees and whether it can go in the tumble dryer. For plush and velvet, hand washing is usual.
Labels with a scope
Check what a label covers, the foam, the cover or both, and in which product class. You can verify the certificate number with the label issuer.
Think pieces and space together
More modules mean more building ideas, but also more floor space. Measure the space in the child's room before you choose a large set. A modular kids sofa can be extended with more pieces later.
Play sofa cheap or more expensive?
If you want to buy a cheap play sofa, you should work out where the savings are made. The price depends mainly on foam quality, fabric and workmanship. A cover that can go in the machine and a foam that keeps its shape save you nerves in the long run.
Delivery time and returns
Before buying, look at the delivery time, the return period and whether replacement covers are available. For made-to-measure items, returns are usually excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 - label and scope
- OEKO-TEX Label Check - verify certificates
- Care instructions for corduroy 5mm
- Shipping information
- Right of withdrawal
Last reviewed: 19.10.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Which play sofa suits you?
Not sure about fabric, size or firmness? Write to us, we will help with the choice and tell you whether a standard model is enough or a made-to-measure play sofa fits better.