I recently had the chance to share my experience with the Nex Playground in an interview with the New York Times Wirecutter review, and I wanted to expand on that here. As a middle school adapted physical education (APE) teacher, I’m always looking for tools that are engaging, inclusive, and easy to implement—and the Nex Playground checked all those boxes from day one. With 13 students in my class, it quickly proved to be more than just a fun gadget. It’s become a powerful tool for movement, inclusion, and connection.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support the ongoing work of creating and sharing adapted physical education resources, guides, and inclusive activity ideas so that everyone can thrive in PE. Your support makes it possible to keep this site running and the content free for educators and families. Thank you!
What My Students Loved
From day one, the Nex Playground became a class favorite. During group games like Mirrorama, I regularly had 10 students moving, laughing, and playing together. Other times, smaller groups of one to four students participated more independently. The flexibility in gameplay was a major win.
Some of the top student picks included:
- Mirrorama
- Party Fowl
- Family Fitness Challenge
- Elmo Says
- Hungry Hippos
- Fruit Ninja
These games were not only fun but also encouraged motor planning, balance, and social interaction in ways that felt natural and joyful.
My Go-To Games for Instruction
As an educator, I’m always looking for tools that can enhance my curriculum while remaining accessible and meaningful for every student. Some of the games I’ve found most valuable for instruction include:
- Go Keeper
- Bluey
- Homerun Heroics
- Barbie Dance Party
- Bowling Strike
- Box Flow Fitness
- Move & Groove with Grover
- Kung Fu Panda
- Arrow Party
- Basketball Knockout
- Nexgym Fitness
- Tennis Smash
- Dragon Jumpers
- Active Arcade
These titles offer a wide range of movement challenges, allowing me to target different skills and adjust based on each student’s needs.
A Standout Moment for Accessibility
One of the most memorable moments came when a student who uses a wheelchair—and has limited upper-body mobility—played Mirrorama. The motion tracking picked up his movements perfectly. His smile said it all. That experience solidified just how impactful this tool can be when it’s designed with inclusion in mind.
That said, not every game worked for every student. Games requiring simultaneous arm and leg tracking, like Kung Fu Panda, were more difficult for students with certain physical limitations. I’d love to see Nex explore accessibility expansions, such as switch-based or eye-gaze technology, to widen participation even more.
Portability and Practical Use
I initially received a test unit before the official release, and I liked it enough to purchase my own. It’s been extremely reliable. My only minor frustrations were the lack of a physical on/off switch and the design of the remote—although it sounds like newer updates have addressed those issues.
Right now, I keep my Nex Playground at home for my kids to enjoy, but I bring it into school occasionally. Because I travel between schools and don’t have a dedicated space, I can’t leave it set up full-time. Still, I’m seriously considering purchasing a second unit just for my school sites. In a dedicated classroom, I’d use it year-round without hesitation.
I also see great potential for its use as a movement break or incentive station in general education classrooms—not just APE.
This Belongs in Every Classroom
Here’s what I believe now: the Nex Playground shouldn’t just be in APE classrooms. It belongs in every classroom.
Movement is one of the most powerful tools we have to support learning. Research consistently shows that physical activity boosts focus, memory, emotional regulation, and academic performance. And for many students—especially those with attention or sensory needs—getting up and moving can make the difference between disengagement and real learning.
With the Nex Playground, movement becomes accessible, structured, and fun. It takes up very little space, doesn’t require Wi-Fi once games are installed, and can easily be set up in a corner of a classroom. Whether it’s used as a brain break, a reward system, or part of a classroom’s daily routine, this tool creates moments of joy, connection, and regulation that benefit every student.
In a time when we’re all trying to support whole-child development, social-emotional health, and inclusive practices, this is one piece of tech that actually delivers on all fronts.
Why It Works in Adapted PE
The Nex Playground checks a lot of boxes for adapted PE:
- It’s highly engaging and student-friendly.
- It promotes physical activity in ways that are inclusive and fun.
- It requires minimal setup and doesn’t need Wi-Fi once games are downloaded.
- It creates opportunities for all students—regardless of ability level—to participate and succeed.
Having used systems like the Xbox Kinect in the past, I can confidently say that the Nex Playground offers more portability, smoother setup, and greater classroom flexibility. It has become one of my favorite tech tools to support inclusive movement and play.
If you’re in adapted PE—or any classroom looking to make learning more active and inclusive—I highly recommend checking out the Nex Playground. You can also read more about it in the New York Times Wirecutter review that includes my interview.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support the ongoing work of creating and sharing adapted physical education resources, guides, and inclusive activity ideas so that everyone can thrive in PE. Your support makes it possible to keep this site running and the content free for educators and families. Thank you!
 teacher, I’m always looking for tools that are engaging, inclusive, and easy to implement—and the Nex Playground checked all those boxes from day one. With 13 students in my class, it quickly proved to be more than just a fun gadget. It’s become a powerful tool for movement, inclusion, and connection.){kind=link}