"Played around with" is a common phrase used to describe experimentation or exploration with something. However, if you're looking to diversify your vocabulary, there are many synonymous phrases you can use to replace it.
Some other ways to describe tinkering or fiddling with something include: "toyed with," "tested out," "experimented with," "sampled," "explored," "attempted," "tried out," "played with," "fiddled with," "fooled around with," "experimented," "messed with," and "dabbled with."
Whether you're writing an academic paper or simply trying to spice up your everyday language, utilizing a variety of synonyms for "played around with" can help you convey your thoughts more clearly and interestingly.