In 2006, Marcus got married, and in 2007, he and his wife moved to Thailand, where he was invited to build a playground. This project quickly grew into a mission. Over the next few years, Marcus constructed 40 playgrounds along the Thai-Myanmar border for refugee communities. Using low-cost, local, and recycled materials, these playgrounds became vital spaces for children who had lost their homes.

Driven by his passion for play, Marcus founded Playground Ideas (www.playgroundideas.org), a charity that has built nearly 8,000 playgrounds in 143 countries, impacting 4 million children. In refugee camps, where fixed structures weren’t allowed, the ideas for the Nüdel Kart and Rover sparked—mobile, adaptable play spaces that bring creativity and joy to children in need worldwide.

What began as a solution for refugees soon evolved into something more. Schools around the world recognized the educational value of the Nüdel Kart and Rover, and they quickly became trusted, high-quality resources in classrooms.

Listening to parents’ requests for valuable play resources at home, Marcus began the next chapter of the Nüdel story. After five years of development, the Nüdel Pod was born—a versatile, all-in-one resource for modern families. More than just a toy, it’s a holistic tool designed to support children’s creativity, development, and play without compromise.

Nüdel represents Marcus’s lifelong dedication to designing environments where children can explore, create, and grow. It’s not just about play—it’s about making space for imagination to flourish, whether in a refugee camp or a family living room. Nüdel is the culmination of this remarkable journey, a testament to the belief that every child deserves a world where creativity and play can thrive.