Play sofa or kids' sofa: what's the difference?

A kids' sofa and a play sofa are two different products, even though both get called a sofa for children. A kids' sofa is usually a small sofa in one piece, made for sitting. A play sofa is a set of separate foam pieces. Put together, they make a sofa. Taken apart, they are something to build with. Choose a kids' sofa if you want a seat and nothing more. Choose a play sofa if your child should be able to build with it too, and you have the floor space.

A note first: we make play sofas. So this article also says plainly when a kids' sofa is the better buy.

What is a kids' sofa?

A kids' sofa is a regular sofa in a child's size. You'll also see it called a children's sofa or a kids' couch. It usually comes in one piece, with a fixed backrest and armrests, and seats one or two children. Many have a foam core. Some have a frame inside, and some fold out flat.

A kids' sofa has one main job: sitting. It's a place to look at a book or watch a film.

What is a play sofa?

A play sofa is a sofa made of separate foam pieces, with no frame. It's also called a play couch or a modular play sofa. Put together, the pieces make a low sofa. Taken apart, they turn into walls, roofs and floors for whatever children want to build.

The Shappy Play Sofa has 8 pieces: 2 seat modules, 2 triangular backrests, 2 armrests and 2 round cushions. As a sofa, it measures 160 × 80 × 56 cm, with a seat 25 cm high. The whole sofa weighs just under 14 kg, so children can carry the pieces themselves.

What is the difference between a play sofa and a kids' sofa?

The table compares the two types in general. Individual models differ, so check the details of the one you're looking at.

	Kids' sofa	Play sofa
Construction	Usually one piece, with a fixed backrest and armrests. Often a foam core, sometimes a frame	Separate foam pieces, no frame
What it's for	Mainly sitting. Fold-out models also open flat	Sitting and building
Floor space	Its own footprint	Its own footprint, plus free floor around it for building
Washing	Depends on the model. Some covers come off, some are wiped clean	Covers usually come off for washing. Check the temperature
How long a child uses it	Usually until the child outgrows the seat	As a seat while the size fits, and for building as long as the child enjoys it
After play	Nothing to tidy	The pieces need putting back together
Budget	Usually the lower price	Usually the higher price

In short, a kids' sofa is a piece of furniture. A play sofa is a piece of furniture and a building set. That is the reason it needs more room and usually costs more.

When is a kids' sofa the better choice?

A kids' sofa is the better choice in three situations.

• You want a seat and nothing else. Your child likes to sit with a book and has little interest in building.
• You have very little floor space. A kids' sofa needs its own footprint and no more. A play sofa needs room around it once the pieces come off.
• Your budget is smaller. A kids' sofa usually costs less than a play sofa. If nobody is going to build with the pieces, there's no reason to pay for them.

When is a play sofa the better choice?

A play sofa makes more sense when sitting is just one part of the plan.

• Your child likes to build. Blankets over chairs and cushions on the floor are already a regular sight at home.
• More than one child will use it. Separate pieces give each child something to sit on or build with.
• You'd like a flat surface for floor play. The base cushions of our 160 cm Play Sofa are all the same height. Laid flat, they make a level mat of 160 × 172.5 cm.

Three rules go with every build: keep it low, build on a rug or a play mat, and stay close while children play. A play sofa is furniture and a building set. It isn't gym equipment.

A note on the photos: the two armchairs use pieces from two sofas in different colours, and some builds stand on a bare floor. At home, put a rug or a play mat underneath.

Can you sit on a play sofa like on a regular sofa?

Yes. Put together, a play sofa is a low sofa. The seat of our 160 cm Play Sofa is 25 cm high, and the Mini's seat is 20 cm high.

One thing is different. The backrests and armrests are separate pieces, not fixed to the seat. A kids' sofa with a fixed back keeps its shape by itself. A play sofa has to be put back together after play. If that sounds like one job too many at the end of the day, a kids' sofa will suit you better.

What should you check before you buy either one?

Three checks help with either type.

1. The size, against your floor. Measure the spot before you choose. Our 160 cm Play Sofa measures 160 × 80 × 56 cm as a sofa and 160 × 172.5 cm laid flat. The Play Sofa Mini measures 120 × 60 × 45 cm. It has the same set of 8 pieces in a smaller size and is made for smaller rooms and smaller children. If space is tight but your child likes to build, start with the 120 cm play sofas.
2. The covers. Do they come off? Can they go in the washing machine, and at what temperature? On our play sofas, all the covers come off with a zip and wash at 30 °C. Dry them flat, and do not tumble dry or iron them. Here's how to wash play sofa covers.
3. The filling and the warranty. We use high-density, high-resilience foam from Polish manufacturers, with no added chalk or fillers. Our 3-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects in the foam and fabric.

For the full checklist, read our guide on how to choose a play sofa.

Is a play sofa the right one for your home?

If it is, see the 160 cm Play Sofa and the Mini in all the fabrics and colours they come in. 60,000 families have chosen Shappy, and parents have left more than 700 reviews across our shops. Still weighing up whether it's worth it? Our honest pros and cons cover the downsides too.

See the play sofas

What else do parents ask about kids' sofas and play sofas?

Is a play sofa the same as a kids' sofa?

No. A kids' sofa is usually a small sofa in one piece, made for sitting. A play sofa is made of separate foam pieces. They work as a sofa and come apart for building.

Which takes up less space, a kids' sofa or a play sofa?

Usually a kids' sofa, because it needs just its own footprint. A play sofa also needs free floor around it for building. Our smaller model, the Play Sofa Mini, measures 120 × 60 × 45 cm as a sofa.

Can you wash the covers on both types?

It depends on the model, so check before you buy. On our play sofas, all the covers come off and wash in the machine at 30 °C.

Should I buy a play sofa if my child just wants to sit?

Probably not. If the sofa is for sitting and nothing else, a kids' sofa is the simpler choice and usually the cheaper one. A play sofa makes sense when children also build with it.