The Nüdel Story

From Playgrounds to Pods

Nüdel is the result of a 15-year design journey that began with a deep passion for play and a belief in the transformative power of creative spaces. This journey is driven by Marcus, whose life’s work is rooted in play, nature, and education.

Open the tabs below to read Nüdel's incredible journey!

For the first decade of his career, Marcus guided children through nature as an outdoor education and mountain guide, igniting his passion for play as he watched them thrive in open environments. This journey led him around the globe, where he built his first playgrounds in Vietnam and Cambodia—crafted by children, for children.
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.

Award Winning Design

Nüdel has done it again—winning three prestigious Australian Good Design Awards for its innovative, high-quality design! Trusted by experts and loved by families, Nüdel sparks endless creativity and imaginative play, all while offering unmatched versatility!

Check Out The Awards!
WHAT USERS SAY
Our Range

The Kart & Rover

Our loose parts play carts for STEM, creativity and 21st Century skill development.

Find Out More

Nüdel Kart Rover Product Details

Nüdel Kart

For Up To 30 Children

Nüdel Rover

For 8-10 Children

Nüdel Featured In

Nüdel Public Relations

TEDx Melbourne 2015

Marcus Veerman CEO & Founder of Playground Ideas shares revolutionary ideas to address global poverty through the power of play.

Explore PR Opportunities