Lovevery play kits are super popular, but are they worth it? This completely honest Lovevery review will tell you what’s great about these popular developmental toys for babies and toddlers. You’ll also learn why the Lovevery play kit may not be right for you and your little ones.
Related: Lovevery Black Friday Deals
Is Lovevery worth it?
Before I get into the details of this super honest Lovevery review, I’m going to answer the question you’re probably here for:
Is Lovevery worth it?
YES, Lovevery is worth it. I personally tested a Lovevery play kit with four young kids between the ages of 2 and 5. Honestly, the high quality toys in the kit, along with the play guide, book, art supplies, picture cards and montessori-style manipulatives make the kit worth it.
So keep reading for all the details on the play kit I bought, if the little ones liked it and plenty of details on why I really do think there’s so much value in each individual toy that comes in the box.
Maybe that was enough and you’re ready to buy. If you are, just click this button:
“I don’t know what to do all day with my baby!”
My kids were toddlers when my best friend had her first baby. A few weeks into her maternity leave, she said she felt bad because she didn’t know what to do with her baby.
I shared the rule I followed as a new mom. When I didn’t know what to do with the baby, I chose from one of three things:
- Read a book to her.
- Sing a song.
- Narrate whatever I was doing.
Saying and singing words teaches words. By doing any one of those three things, I knew I was doing more than just filling silence. I was helping my baby grow and develop.
BUT – I wish Lovevery had been around back then, because it was just what she needed!
Getting a box of toys perfectly crafted for her newborn, plus a book and a play guide with things to do to encourage development, would have been such a valuable gift at that time.
Because my friend wanted to be a good mom; she just didn’t know what to do.
She’s not alone. There are plenty of new parents who don’t understand how to interact and play with a newborn, or even young children. The Lovevery play kit is a box of items that equips parents with what they need to lovingly help their babies and toddlers learn and grow.
A note about this Lovevery review
A not-sponsored Lovevery play kit review
Baby products and learning toys can be emotional purchases, and I wanted to make sure I could write objectively about the pros and cons of this product. This is especially important because this brand isn’t cheap!
Everything in this Lovevery review article was purchased by me, without a discount or even a coupon code.
I wanted to ensure I got the full experience as a mom and as a shopper, instead of being swayed as an influencer.
Who’s writing this review post?
It’s me, Marybeth Hamilton, the founder of babysavers.com and the same person who’s written almost all of the long-form articles you’ll find on this site.
A little extra background: I’m a mom to two kids who were born 12 months and 5 days apart.
I’m also a favorite aunt – it’s a super important job! Six of my 15 nieces and nephews are between the ages of 2 and 8 years old, and I see them several times a week.
Both of my kids attended a montessori elementary school and a montessori middle school.
If they could attend a montessori high school, they would! You can see how much I love their education in my brief local news interview here.
I’m also a girl scout troop leader and I’m invested in supporting curious minds while raising intelligent, capable, confident children.
I love our local Montessori toddler, children’s house, elementary school and middle school so much that I’m still an active volunteer there. It’s an amazing place.
Who’s testing these products?
Second, I want to share a bit about who tested these toys. My husband and I were babysitting four young kids who were excellent play and toy testers for me!
We had one nephew and three nieces to experience everything in the Lovevery play kit, and they enjoyed every minute of it!
Our testers included:
- Kayla – 2 year old girl
- Kori – 2 year old girl
- Kally – 4 year old girl
- Ky – 5 year old boy
Before I get to all of my thorough Lovevery reviews for everything in our box, I’m going to give you a quick overview of the brand, what they offer and why I’ve been so interested in how these baby play kits perform.
What Are Lovevery Play Kits?
Lovevery play kits are age-specific, Montessori-inspired boxes of toys made with sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton, nontoxic paint and baby-safe plastic.
Intended for ages 0-5 years old, there are boxes specifically tailored to age for all little ones, from newborns to older toddlers. That means the toys match the stage of development for that age.
Designed by child development experts
This is huge. It’s also why I place a lot of value in the brand and understand their prices.
Lovevery brings together researchers, academics and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines to create exactly the toys and products babies and children need at each stage.
The company then offers those toys AND provides the knowledge behind them in a simple, accessible way. So you’ll know the features and benefits of each toy while also understanding how they help your baby and toddler grow. (source)
What comes in a Lovevery play kit?
Lovevery play kits include between 5 and 9 thoughtfully selected and carefully made toys that are perfectly suited to the age the box indicates.
While the brand doesn’t provide a printed list of the contents of every box, I looked at each one and made some conclusions.
From my research, every available Lovevery play kit comes with:
- A book
- At least one wooden montessori toy
- 3-8 other montessori-inspired toys. There’s usually at least one or two more wooden toys, plus a few made out of materials like organic cotton or baby-safe plastic.
- A Set of Play Guide cards for parents.
What ages are Love Every boxes for?
Lovevery play kits are available for babies and toddlers. The youngest play kit is for ages 0 week to 12 weeks. The play kit for the oldest age is intended for month 60, which is exactly 5 years old.
Scroll down to the FAQ to get more information on the intended age for each box.
How much do the Lovevery Play Kits cost?
Prices for Lovevery kits start at $80 for boxes made for babies up to one year old, and $120 for the 2-4 year old boxes.
For those who want extra savings, Lovevery offers a 10 percent discount when they purchase three boxes at once. This brings the total cost down to either $72 or $108 depending on which box is selected.
Subscriptions
Subscription services are also available for families looking to keep receiving new toys every two or three months according to their child’s growth stage.
As long as buyers remember to cancel before the next shipment, they can avoid being charged.
Learn more about the Lovevery subscription box in the FAQ below.
Returns
Lovevery returns are accepted for any reason within 30 days if products are still in the original packaging.
Even better, return shipping is free for customers within the US. Just contact the brand via their online form and they’ll provide you with a prepaid return shipping label. Get details here.
Our First Box
Which play kit did we test?
When I picked out the play kit, I was really thinking that the two littlest girls would be the perfect toddlers for the box.
I figured that the older kids could also play with whatever they wanted from the box of lovevery toys. it just felt better to choose a younger box and ensure we got age-appropriate toys for the youngest in the group.
After reviewing all of the selections for 2 year olds, I decided that The Helper play kit looked like the most fun.
Everything in our Lovevery Play Kit
This is the official description of The Helper Play Kit:
Your child may be eager for independence and to step into the world of “big kids.”
This Play Kit responds to your two-year-old’s natural curiosity with Montessori practical life activities and tools to develop security in their routines.
Each Lovevery toy and activity in the kit:
- Support your child’s developing independence
- Develop security in routines
- Practice fine motor skills and precision
- Build problem-solving skills and resilience.
Our playkit included these items:
Super Sustainable sink with battery operated running water.
Cups and plates made from bio-based material.
Felt flowers in a row with a wooden base
Anywhere Art Kit with Washable Tempera Paintsticks with paper and a case
Drop and Match Dot Catcher with wooden disks, plastic disk catcher and cotton storage bag.
Double-Sided Sunny Day Puzzle with 7 wooden color pieces and two scenes: the beach and a house.
Let’s Map it Out Routine Cards: four different sets of carts with pictured steps of different daily routines, like mealtime and bedtime.
Making Muffins Board Book
Play Guide for months 25, 26, 28
My Lovevery Play Kit Review
Now it’s time to get into the reason for this article: the review.
I’ll start by saying my nieces and nephew loved, LOVED, L-O-V-E-D everything in the play kit, and they really loved unpacking the box!
The sink was a winner from the start, but when we put that away and started exploring the rest of the box, we learned how much they enjoyed every single item.
Super Sustainable Sink with cups and plates
This was the biggest item in the box and the first thing that got pulled out.
This sink came in a few pieces and required inserting two included batteries, but assembly took about 60 seconds.
We added water (about 3-4 cups) and showed the girls how to turn the faucet on and off.
I think they could have washed their hands in their own little sink for the rest of the day, but then we gave them the dishes. A quick demonstration of dishwashing, “just like daddy washes dishes”, and they were thrilled to do it by themselves.
I’m not kidding: this little sink with 2 plates and 2 cups kept two 2 year old girls busy for close to a full hour.
Being able to turn the water on and off was half the fun, but allowing them to independently explore the water while playing pretend was pretty amazing.
I loved seeing them think through different parts, from putting dishes into the little draining rack to getting a bigger cup from the kitchen to also wash.
One of the toddlers even got up and got a towel from the kitchen to dry their hands over and over again!
My own kids never experienced early education in a montessori setting, but I’ve always loved the water table that’s essential in toddler classrooms. This sink gives little ones a chance to experience water exploration at home!
Felt flowers in a row
This was my favorite item in the box for a few reasons. First, the felt flowers were so pretty, just looking at them made me happy.
Second, I love the idea of planting them in their wooden base, and keeping them in that base when they weren’t being played with.
Third, I thought picking the flowers, then gathering them up into a bouquet with a strip of velcro was one of the cutest ideas I’d seen in a long time.
Finally, this set of flowers and their wooden stand is like the definition of an ideal montessori toy for babies and toddlers.
Here’s why: The flowers are made from wool felt and the stand is polished wood. The flowers are easy to hold, and their texture offers a sensory experience. Putting the flowers into the wood stand is a fine motor activity, and there are tons creative possibilities for the set.
While this toy wasn’t one that got a lot of attention at first glance, it’s definitely one for a montessori shelf.
Anywhere Art Kit with Washable Tempera Paint Markers
The kids didn’t get to testing the art kit while we were there. They were too busy playing with all the other items in the box!
Still, it was a set of art materials I was happy to leave with my sister, because it’s always good to have a new arts and crafts project in your pocket!
The kit is made for no-mess painting that can happen at any time. The markers are delightfully chubby and perfect for small hands.
The paint is non-toxic, and the zipper storage case (with a handle! Toddlers love carrying things!) has a pocket for each color and another pocket full of paper.
Drop & Match Dot Catcher
I was surprised by how much all the kids loved this color sorting toy!
When we first took it out and got it assembled, I had some concerns that it could be frustrating for all of them in different ways.
Kori, Ky and Kally each have some developmental disabilities that include fine motor deficiencies. Kayla doesn’t know colors. There were also a lot of pieces, which should be good for sharing, but sharing isn’t always an option for toddlers.
To my surprise, we had so much fun with this toy in a few different ways.
I started by playing with Kori, who loved choosing a wooden circle and having me cover up all the color slots except for the one she chose. It took her a few tries but she was absolutely able to get the discs into the slots each time.
Then I played with Ky. He loved closing his eyes, picking a wooden disc out of the bag then putting it in the right slot.
He also thought putting discs in the wrong slot was really funny. Filling up the board and then using the slider to release all of them was also a fun activity.
Kayla impressed me the most with this toy. She sorted all of the wooden coins by color, then put them into the matching slots. Then she would happily release them all from the bottom and start up again.
I let her do it all herself, but I sat with her and said the colors out loud as she worked.
Double-Sided Sunny Day Puzzle
At two years old, this wooden puzzle set was perfect for both Kayla and Kori, and they both spent plenty of time with it.
This puzzle is fun, because it’s a 7 colorful wood pieces in a variety of geometic shapes, with a single wooden board. The board has two sides with different scenes on each. Each scene can be built using all seven pieces.
Kayla and Kori each gravitated toward different scenes, and they stuck with them every time they came back to the puzzle.
Kayla liked the sailboat, sun and fish side, while Kori kept returning to the house, tree and sun scene.
Kayla loved figuring out the right place to put the puzzle pieces, while Kori enjoyed inspecting each piece, feeling the edges and guessing where each should go.
Kayla also made a little game of putting the wooden shapes into the wrong spots, then giggling and saying “no!” after showing me what she had done.
Let’s Map it Out Routine Cards
This is another part of the set that I didn’t have an opportunity to use. I left the routine cards for my sister to take a look at.
I could see how those cards would be incredibly useful in her house. Since she’s raising some babies and kids with disabilities and delays, pictures have become a great way to both teach and remind all the kids of all sorts of things.
The bedtime cards include images and words for each step of the process. If you put the cards somewhere your child can see them, they can follow along with each step!
They can see that bedtime has the following steps:
- Take a bath
- Put on pajamas
- Brush teeth
- Read a book
- Go to sleep
Children (and adults) thrive on routines. Following the same routine each night while providing a visual will likely make your entire bedtime so much easier.
Making Muffins Board Book
This counting and lift-the-flap board book is super cute and perfectly made for the two year old set.
It tells the simple story of a child and her dad making muffins, and each page has a number of items to count and a flap to lift.
I especially like that the book had real life photos in it. Two year olds love helping in the kitchen, and this book gives them visuals for some of the things they could do.
Both Kori and Kally wanted to read this book over and over again. I read it to each of them at least three times while I was there!
Lovevery Play Guide
I think the Play Guide might be the most important item in the Love Every play kit.
Why? Because plenty of parents know that they should play and interact with their newborn infant, baby or toddler, but they just don’t know how to play.
Hi, You cards
These cards introduce the brand. They include information on the stages of development that match the age of the kit.
Your Child and You cards
These cards provide information on the milestones you could possibly see for the ages the box is geared towards.
For example, at 25, 26 and 17 months, your child may prefer one caregiver over another at times. Or start to throw bigger tantrums, or start to follow two-step directions.
The Playthings cards
This little set of cards gives ideas for how to use the toys in your play kit and why they’re important for this age.
More Activities cards
It also has a set of cards that offers specific directions for age-appropriate activities. I think just about any kid would love the ideas offered in my guide. It also explained why they’re good activities for that particular age.
This is just a sample of ideas The Helper play guide included:
- Cardboard box fort
- Pom pom scooping station
- Making a smoothie
Lovevery review verdict: Is it worth it?
If you can’t tell – I’m in love with the Lovevery play kit that I bought, and I’d buy more in a heartbeat.
Yes, there are less expensive toys out there. But those less expensive toys:
- Don’t come boxed up and grouped into age-appropriate segments.
- Generally don’t come with specific details about why that toy can be good for development
- Don’t come with a bundle of cards with easy-to-digest information on your child’s milestones AND additional ways to play beyond what’s included in the kit.
Looking at the brand from the eyes of a new parent, there are so many benefits, and I think a play kit could be considered an investment in both development and playtime enjoyment.
The toys are carefully designed to provide age-based activities and toys to stimulate development, and encourage various milestones. All while also providing fun and engaging play.
Further, they give parents extra resources to help them play with their little ones. That’s so, so important!
Finally, I love that the toys and play items are made from high quality, sustainable materials. They’re made to last, and you can easily save everything for the next child, pass them on to another family or sell them secondhand.
Pros & Cons
Even with my recommendation, I fully understand that there are pros and cons to everything, and there are several of each when it comes to this brand and their play kits.
Lovevery Pros
1. It’s easy for parents – You can’t beat the convenience! Lovevery delivers the play kits directly to your doorstep, making it easy and convenient for parents.
2. Everything in the kit has educational value – The kits offer a variety of engaging activities that promote learning and cognitive development.
3. It’s designed and endorsed by experts – Lovevery play kits are designed by experts to stimulate a child’s development at each stage, providing age-appropriate toys and activities.
4. Parents get lots of support – Lovevery provides resources and guidance for parents to understand their child’s development and offer appropriate playtime activities beyond what’s in the play kits.
Lovevery Cons
1. Cost – of course cost is going to come first here. It’s true: Lovevery play kits can be relatively expensive compared to other toy options on the market.
2. Limited customization – The kits are designed for specific developmental stages that usually match up to them. But you’ll have to make adjustments to your child’s birth date if your child is at a different stage.
3. Subscription and/or work of cancellation – A subscription may not be right for your preferences. I get it – it wasn’t right for me! I still signed up for a subscription, waited for my first order to ship, then went into my account and cancelled my subscription.
4. Environmental impact – While Lovevery uses sustainable materials, the packaging and shipping involved in the subscription model may contribute to environmental concerns.
How does a Lovevery subscription work?
A Lovevery subscription allows you to receive bi-monthly or quarterly boxes depending on your baby or toddler’s age. These play kits are tailored to your child’s age and specific developmental milestones.
With a subscription, you can choose between signing up for 3, 6, or 12 month plan, and you can customize delivery frequency so you get the kits at the optimal time for you and your little one.
There are no surprises when you sign up for a Lovevery play kit subscription. Every kit is available to view on their site, and you’re free to skip any kit for any reason.
Signing Up
Signing up for a Lovevery play kit was an easy, straightforward process.
I just went to the Play Kits section of Lovevery.com, then scrolled to the 2 year old section because that’s who I was shopping for.
After looking through the recommended ages and kits, I decided that The Helper would be best for my two year old nieces, and it looked fun enough for kids of other ages to enjoy.
I clicked GET STARTED on The Helper page and the next page prompted me to enter a child’s name (optional) and birth date.
If you’re not sure the age indicated is right for your little one, you can enter an adjusted birthdate. Lovevery also says they’re happy to assist with a recommendation if you’re not sure what age you should go with.
After entering payment information I was offered two add-ons, which you can read about next.
Lovevery add ons
I was offered two different add ons after I entered my payment information. The add-on items are tailored to the box you’re purchasing.
Since I ordered a kit for 2 year olds, I was offered books and a toy that were also for 2 year olds.
Other possible add-ons that correspond to different ages include:
- The Lovevery Play Gym. (see it here)
- The Organic Cotton Play Tunnel (see it here)
- The Lovevery Block Set (see it here)
Lovevery book bundle
Whenever you order a new play kit you have the option to add on one of their book bundles.
The bundles feature at least two books that aren’t included in the play kit. They’re made to be the right books at the right time for your child’s early years.
Book bundle cost:
The book bundle add-on costs $18. At most that’s $9 per book, which is a very fair price for a children’s book.
Click here to learn more about the book bundle.
Lovevery block set
I was also offered the opportunity to add the block set to the set I purchased at a cost of $90.
It was a great way to introduce me to what’s called “possibly the most comprehensive block set ever designed,” but I was disappointed that I wasn’t offered the set at a discount. The blocks are always available at $90 from Lovevery.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing, 70-piece set that you have to see to fully understand. But Lovevery never discounts their toys.
As a new customer, a rare, one-time opportunity to buy this at a lower price would have been very exciting!
Lovevery block set cost:
The block set costs $90 as an add-on or as a standalone purchase. Shipping is free.
Click here to learn more about the blocks.
Lovevery Review FAQ
Is the Lovevery subscription worth it?
Yes, but, as always, there are some factors to consider.
The value of a Lovevery subscription depends on your priorities. If you value the convenience of receiving age-appropriate toys regularly and appreciate high-quality, sustainable products, the subscription may be worth it.
Consider your budget and your preferences before deciding.
Can You Buy Lovevery Toys Separately?
Yes. There’s a small selection of toys available to purchase individually in the shopping section of the site. These include the popular Music Set and the Montessori Playshelf.
But you can’t buy individual items that are usually found in the play kits. The only place you’ll find them is in the kits OR you find them secondhand.
Is Lovevery an American company?
Yes, Lovevery is an American company. It was founded in 2015 by Jessica Rolph and Roderick Morris, and it is headquartered in Boise, Idaho, USA.
Are Lovevery toys made in the USA?
No, Lovevery toys are not made in the USA.
Where are Lovevery toys made?
According to Lovevery’s US site, Lovevery toys are “…manufactured with a network of suppliers in Asia…[and their] products go through final inspection at their US warehouse before being shipped to customers. (source)
Are Lovevery toys made in China?
Yes, Lovevery toys are made in China. According to the Lovevery Europe site, Lovevery products are manufactured in Ningbo, China. (source)
What are Montessori toys?
There are a few characteristics specific to Montessori toys that make them ideal for development and education.
Montessori toys:
- Stimulate learning by encouraging experimentation, even at early stages.
- Are easy to hold and manipulate.
- Are open-ended, to develop problem-solving skills.
- Develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills or gross motor skills.
(source)
Montessori toys are often:
- Made from natural materials like wool felt, wood, rubber, cotton and even stainless steel or glass.
- Organized into individual trays and baskets.
- Appropriate for a specific age or level.
Montessori toys are not:
- Electronic or battery-operated.
- Random pieces of wood, cotton or rubber. Montessori toys have purpose.
- Items that can be “solved” or completed.
Is Lovevery Montessori?
Lovevery is not strictly a Montessori brand, but they incorporate Montessori principles into the design of its products. Their official statement describes their products as, Backed by expert research, inspired by Montessori learning. (source)
Lovevery creates products that align with key milestones of child development, including those found in the Montessori pedagogy.
They emphasize hands-on, sensory experiences and encourage independent exploration, which are consistent with Montessori principles.
How do I cancel my Lovevery subscription?
You can easily cancel your Love Every subscription online. Log into your customer account and click on Account Settings.
Then, under Manage Subscription, you can skip the next Play Kit or cancel your subscription.
You are able to stop shipment up to 3 business days prior to the next shipment date using this functionality.
What ages are Lovevery boxes for?
Lovevery baby play kit boxes are made for ages from birth to 5 years old.
Specifically, these are the boxes offered and their matching ages:
Ages Birth through baby’s first year
- 0-12 weeks old [1-3 months old]: The Looker play kit
- 3-4 months old: The Charmer play kit
- 5-6 months old: The Senser play kit
- 7-8 months old: The Inspector play kit
- 9-10 months old: The Explorer play kit
- 11-12 months old: The Thinker play kit
1 year old baby
- 13-15 months old: The Lovevery Babbler play kit
- 16-18 months old: The Adventurer play kit
- 19-21 months old: The Realist play kit
- 22-24 months old: The Companion play kit
2 year old toddler
- 2 years and 0-3 months old: The Helper play kit
- 2 years and 4-6 months old: The Enthusiast
- 2 years and 7-9 months old: The Investigator
- 2 years and 10-12 months old: The Free Spirit
3 year old toddler
- 3 years and 0-3 months old: The Observer
- 3 years and 4-6 months old: The Storyteller
- 3 years and 7-9 months old: The Problem Solver
- 3 years and 10-12 months old: The Analyst play kit
4 year old child
- 4 years and 0-3 months old: The Connector
- 4 years and 4-6 months old: The Examiner
- 4 years and 7-9 months old: The Persister
- 4 years and 10-12 months old: The Planner
Is the Lovevery Play Gym Worth It?
I don’t have experience with the play gym, so I can’t speak to specifics.
I CAN say that I’ve studied it extensively and it looks pretty amazing. It’s a high-quality, versatile piece of equipment that grows with your baby.
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