A child entering the foster system faces a lot of uncertainty. Leaving familiar surroundings and meeting their foster family can come with a lot of feelings, and there’s often little time for the child or foster family to prepare.

One foster parent uses Nex Playground to help ease this tricky transition. Acting as an ice-breaker, Playground can fill a room with laughter, movement, and even small (but meaningful) clues about how a child engages with the world.

Creating Home

Bob Eubank is an experienced foster parent from West Virginia. Over the years, he’s learned that a good first impression can set the tone for everything that follows. Whether a child stays for one night or many months, his priority is to make those first moments feel safe.

Bob has experimented with different ways to spark joy and curiosity. At one point, he even built an expansive indoor jungle gym. Kids lit up at the sight, but Bob noticed it wasn’t perfect. A fixed structure can only be used one way, and not every child was fully able to enjoy his creation.  

One evening, his wife came across a Facebook post about Nex Playground. To Bob, it looked like another fun outlet for kids to jump around. But once it entered his home, the little cube revealed a potential he hadn’t anticipated—helping not just with play, but with a better understanding of his new family members.

Play with Purpose

When foster children arrive, they don’t always come with a full picture of their past. Beyond a name and age, important details like medical history, education, or behavioral background may be missing. Foster parents are left to piece these things together while also helping the kids feel welcome and secure.

Those two goals, gathering practical information and forming emotional bonds, can feel like separate worlds. Imagine Bob’s surprise when he realized Playground helps with both.

"With Playground, what we discovered was a brand new way to understand our new foster arrivals! Not only understand, but also instantly create an icebreaker. Nothing says safety like smiles, laughter, and movement together.

After just a few games, we can pick up on physical delays and see how they manage their emotions. Beyond assessing, we also use Playground as a therapeutic tool. And the best part is the children have no clue fun is also healing."

Playground isn’t a substitute for traditional care, but it gives Bob a way to learn more about his children in a natural, low-pressure setting. The kids never feel like they’re being tested—it’s just play. And because play comes so easily, the system becomes a bridge, not just between foster parent and child, but between the children themselves.

"My 5-year-old likes showing new placements our playroom. Before they even step foot in the house, he'll say, ‘Come on, let me show you our playroom! We have a Nex!’"

Each child has their own favorite games, and those favorites say something about who they are. When Bob’s seven-year-old brought home a “get to know me” assignment from school, she proudly wrote: “My favorite game is Starri. It gets me hoppin'!”

Along with reinforcing what kids already love, Playground also nudges them towards new discoveries. 

"Both of my littles are now in cheerleading and tumbling. I give some credit to Playground for developing the interest. My 5-year-old son pretty much does what his sister does, so they love using Playground together."

For Bob, these moments aren’t just about games. They’re about uncovering what makes each child unique, finding common ground, and turning play into a foundation for trust.

Moments That Build Trust

In a setting where kids often feel vulnerable, it’s powerful to witness Playground giving them ownership of their play. They’re able to choose how to move, how to interact, and see those choices reflected back in real time.

At the same time, caregivers gain a new window into who these children are. Laughter, curiosity, teamwork, and even frustration surface naturally in play. What might feel like “just a game” becomes a moment of truth: a chance to understand, connect, and build trust.

For us, that’s the heart of stories like Bob’s. Playground isn’t only about movement or fun. It’s about creating spaces where kids feel seen, and families grow closer, one joyful moment at a time.

Be Like Bob

Bob’s story shows how one person’s creativity and care can transform a tool into something bigger. He is proof that play can open doors to connection in unexpected ways. That’s why we call him a Nex Champion, and we invite you to be one, too.

Want to connect with other families using Playground in interesting ways? Join the Nex Playground Insider Community on Facebook and help shape the future of play. If you are lucky, you may come across Bob who helps moderate our community.