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| Nex Playground turns the living room into an active play space where the whole family can jump in together. |
By Juli Scarr, a parent and special education teacher who pays close attention to how games fit into everyday family life.
Giving a new gaming gift can be exciting, but it can also come with a familiar problem. The box gets opened, excitement spikes, and then everyone is stuck waiting for updates, downloads, or setup screens. For some kids, that wait is frustrating. For others, especially younger kids or those who struggle with transitions, it can be overwhelming.
Taking a little time to set up Nex Playground before gifting can make a big difference. It helps play start smoothly, keeps expectations in check, and lets families focus on moving and having fun instead of staring at a loading bar. This guide walks through how to quietly prepare your Nex Playground ahead of time, what choices matter most, and where you can keep things flexible for your own household.
Why setting it up before gifting helps
From a parent’s perspective, smooth starts matter. Waiting is hard for many kids, especially when excitement is high. A ready-to-play setup removes that pressure and keeps the focus on movement and play rather than delays.
Pre-setup also gives adults time to make sure everything works properly, review the available games, adjust what appears on screen, and decide what feels age appropriate. It is not about locking things down. It is about reducing friction so play can fit more naturally into the day.
Step 1: Carefully unbox Nex Playground
Open the box gently and set aside the packaging so it can be repacked later. Inside, you will find the Nex Playground console, remote, batteries, power cord, HDMI cable, and a quick start guide.
Connect the power and HDMI cables, plug the device into your TV, and turn it on. Follow the on-screen prompts to begin setup. You do not need to rush this part. The goal is simply to get the system up and running without drawing attention.
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| Everything included with Nex Playground, shown laid out during the initial unboxing before setup. |
Step 2: Connect to Wi-Fi and install updates
Once Nex Playground is connected to your Wi-Fi, it will begin downloading updates. This part can take some time, depending on your internet connection.
It works best to do this after kids have gone to sleep, while they are at school, or during a quiet part of the day. Letting updates run without interruption helps avoid issues later.
Step 3: Decide when to activate Play Pass
Play Pass provides access to Nex Playground’s full game library. Activating it during setup has clear benefits, but it also starts the subscription time right away.
Reasons to activate Play Pass before gifting:
- All games download ahead of time.
- You can test games yourself.
- You can hide games you do not want your child to see yet.
Reasons to wait:
- You keep the full subscription period for later.
- You avoid losing time while the system is wrapped.
There is no single right choice here. Some families value immediate readiness. Others prefer to wait and activate Play Pass together once the gift is opened.
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| Nex Playground includes several free starter games, letting families play right away before deciding on Play Pass. |
Step 4: Leave the system on for game downloads
If you activate Play Pass, Nex Playground will automatically download the full game library in the background. This can take two to three hours, so it is best to leave the system powered on and let it finish.
Once downloads are complete, you can hide certain games, limit what appears on screen at first, or keep selections simple for younger kids. Many families find that starting with fewer options helps reduce frustration early on.
Step 5: Test it briefly
Before repacking, try launching a game to make sure everything runs smoothly. You do not need to play for long. This is just a quick check to confirm that controls respond and games load properly.
If you notice lag, enabling Game Mode on your TV can help.
If you want to explore games more thoroughly and reset everything afterward, Nex Playground allows a factory reset through the settings menu. Keep note of the email used for setup, as it is tied to Play Pass activation.
Step 6: Repack carefully
Once setup and testing are complete, repack Nex Playground using the original packaging. If the system will be used on the same TV, you can leave the HDMI cable connected and tucked out of sight. That small step can make setup after unwrapping much quicker.
Step 7: Prepare the space
Before gifting, it helps to think about where Nex Playground will be used. Clearing space ahead of time allows kids to start moving right away without rearranging furniture mid-excitement.
This small bit of preparation often makes the transition from unwrapping to playing feel calmer and more manageable.
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| Setting aside space ahead of time makes it easier to plug in Nex Playground and start playing right away. |
Common questions parents ask
Will activating Play Pass early reduce my subscription time?
Yes. Play Pass begins as soon as it is activated. Whether that tradeoff is worth it depends on your priorities.
Can Play Pass be used on more than one system?
Play Pass can be activated on two Nex Playground systems. You will need the same email address used during setup.
What if something goes wrong during setup?
Nex Playground’s support resources can help troubleshoot most issues, especially around Wi-Fi and downloads.
A thoughtful start goes a long way
Setting up Nex Playground before gifting is not about perfection. It is about supporting a smoother experience once the excitement begins. A little preparation can help kids move, laugh, and play without unnecessary waiting, and it gives adults time to shape the experience in a way that fits their household.
Like most things with family tech, you can always adjust as you go. The important part is starting from a place that feels calm, predictable, and ready.
More Family Gaming Guides You May Find Helpful
If you’re looking for more family gaming guidance, we’ve also put together a couple of related articles that focus on different parts of the experience.
Family Gaming Tips for Safe and Healthy Play looks at practical ways to support balance, routines, and age-appropriate play across different platforms.
How to Talk With Your Kids About Gaming focuses more on communication, helping families set expectations, understand interests, and keep conversations open as kids grow.
Each guide covers a different side of family gaming, and together they can help create habits that feel supportive rather than restrictive.