What is Lovevery?
Lovevery is an American toy company specializing in subscription boxes inspired by the Montessori method. The theory behind it is that children have various necessities during distinct stages of their growth, and the appropriate toys can facilitate those needs.
The Play Kit boxes are split into four age groups: 0-12 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years. Each age group is divided into smaller categories; namesakes for these developmental stages (e.g., The Charmer Play Kit is for months 3 to 4).
The recommended age is 18 months, but kits are available for babies as young as six weeks old. Each set contains a few toys, a book, and a parent's guide that outline how to use the contents to help your youngster accomplish developmental milestones. The items are made of biodegradable and non-toxic natural ingredients that blend in with your children's books nicely on your shelf.
Is Lovevery Montessori?
Lovevery was inspired by the Montessori Method, which prioritizes a child's independence, disregard for unimportant matters such as flashing lights or noisy toys. The toys provided in the Play Kit emphasize "open-ended play," so that kids can continually invent new ways to use them instead of being discouraged by methods with only one way of playing.
Lovevery Subscription Cost
The Lovevery subscription cost is $59 per month. If you sign up for a year, you'll get a discount and pay only $49 per month.
We think the best way to learn about parenting is by doing it, so we've created a monthly subscription that gives you access to all of our products and services. From expert advice to personalized tips, we've got you covered. And because we know that every parent is different, we offer flexible pricing options so you can choose what works best for you.
When you first join up for a Lovevery membership, you'll provide your kid's birthday (or due date or adjusted age), and Lovevery will recommend a Play Kit to get started. You may also add some of the earlier boxes to your initial purchase since the toys inside would likely be appealing to older youngsters.
Because you can cancel your membership or skip boxes at any moment, purchasing a one-time box to test it out or give as a gift is simple. Because you can view what's in each box before ordering on the Lovevery website, you don't have to get the ones that don't appear to be as interesting.
Is Lovevery an American company?
The subscription box company is based in the US, more specifically Boise, Idaho. The toys are designed here but then manufactured by a network of suppliers throughout Asia.
Specific Box Testing!
Boxes for 0 to 12 months
My newborn daughter enjoyed staring at the double-sided spiral mobile with high-contrast black and white on one side, and colorful circles on the other. (Lovevery also suggests hanging it over the changing table as a distraction.) The black and white cards were a mainstay in her play gym, and the little book seemed to hold her attention more than some of her other high-contrast books did. Perhaps it's because it is "baby's first book made with sustainably harvested wood" that caught her interest: after all, she is a budding environmentalist. Who's to say?
We weren't able to find this online, but our kit came with a mug for a parent that reads "The Days Are Long But the Years Are Short." I'm not usually one for child-rearing cliches, but we have found it to be true in my own case. It was nice of them to include a little gift.
The parents' play guide, on the other hand, was a clear winner. It's tough to figure out how to interact with a newborn, but Lovevery offered some helpful suggestions that I could use every week. As a first-time parent who was worried about being able to give her daughter an intellectually stimulating play session, this was really beneficial.
Although the tactile connections were never a favorite, she may have had several other similar clip-on toys that came with her play mat and stroller. The effort it took to get the black and white mittens on and off a squirmy newborn wasn't worth it for me most days, in practice.--Alison
The Senser Box
At 6 months, my daughter's playtime changed a lot since she could sit up independently. She loves spinning the rainbow wheel and it keeps her entertained better than other toys. The magic tissue box is one of her favorites too - she likes pulling the tissues out (and chewing on them or playing peek-a-boo with them). The tummy time wobbler has been another great choice for both tummy time and sitting up. She still tries to eat it like everything else though!
Before I tried Lovevery, I was skeptical about the high price tag. But after using it, I realized that the toys are worth the cost because they kept my baby entertained for hours. I'm already planning to buy the next box!
The play socks would've been more of a hit when she was younger since she found out her feet long ago. The rainbow ball is also attractive, but it can only keep her entertained for so long.--
The Realist Box (Months 19, 20, 21, Cost: $120)
My 2-year-old son loves his lock box toy, and the fabric critters have become its regular residents. He enjoys locking and unlocking each of the doors, putting things inside, then taking them out again. In fact, this has occupied more of his time than any other toy. Unfortunately, he's now learned how to lock his own bedroom door...
My son likes to find his toys in the dark with this flashlight, since he can't turn on the light switch himself. We've read Bea Gets a Checkup, included with purchase, many times and it's still one of his favorites.
Though the ring chute toy is attractive, it appears to only have one purpose. My son doesn't find this use interesting, so the toy goes mostly ignored. It's also quite large, so I wish it were more versatile.
The Helper Box (Months: 25, 26, 27 Cost: $120)
My kid adored the play sink. The innovative design allows you to keep water flowing without the sink ever flooding or running out of water. You can't clean any dishes in it because it isn't connected to a waterline (it merely recycles the same reservoir through its pump repeatedly), but my son liked pretending to wash dishes next to me at the real sink while I washed genuine plates. As we were just starting to work on learning colors, the rainbow dot catcher toy arrived - and it couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks to this toy, my son knows his colors like the back of his hand. Even though he doesn't need to use it for its intended purpose anymore, he still enjoys dropping the colored wooden discs into their corresponding slots and likes playing with the quick-release lever.
The jigsaw and sequence cards appeared to be a little too advanced for a young two-year-old. They also appear to be DIY projects you could create yourself if you have the interest.Box for 3-year-olds
What is More: The Lovevery App
To use the Lovevery app, you must first sign up for a subscription to the toy boxes (though you can also download the app if you received a box as a present). I found it to be an excellent source of ideas for what to do with your child all day long, much like the parent play guides.
The Activities tab contains a list of toys you can use for your baby, based on the month and age of your baby. You'll also find suggestions for using older toys in new ways, as well as other activities to try (like playing with paper or teaching your baby to clap). As you complete these activities, check them off the list.
The My Baby tab includes a video from a pediatrician regarding what motor, cognitive, communication, and social/emotional skills your baby will learn that month. This part reminded me of the What To Expect app, which was more detailed. However, I liked that it made careful to point out how different all babies are to reassure worried parents. Parents may ask or solve various questions or topics that Lovevery's developmental psychologists and pediatricians would answer in the Ask and Learn section.
If you have the toy boxes, it's worth installing the app (if you have an iPhone; there is no Android version) to get the most out of them. The Play Gym is another Lovevery product that frequently appears on baby registries. It's more visually appealing than many other products on the market, and it's also more expensive, costing $140. It may not be ideal for those in apartments or small areas because it's larger due to its long wooden posts, which are meant to be used throughout the child's first year.
If you decide to purchase the Lovevery Play Gym for your baby, know that it comes with a few toys, like a bell and teether. Although my baby liked these items, she seemed to get bored more quickly on this mat than on the less expensive Skip Hop one I'd originally registered for. With that said, if you're looking for something specifically from the Montessori line, then this is still a great choice. In terms of parenting in general, what you ultimately want should drive your decisions; resources permitting, investing in Lovevery would be ideal. However, understand that your child will likely thrive without it as well.
Is Lovevery Worth it?
The Lovevery Play Kits are a good choice for one-time, curated toy boxes as presents. The toys themselves are of high quality, making the price seem fair, and you get the added benefit of expert hand-picking. You're unlikely to be disappointed if you can afford it. All is well in Lovevery's world!
However, with a subscription box, the cost is more of an issue. Do you have to spend $40 a month on toys (or $36 if you include the prepay savings) to get your money's worth? One thing to bear in mind: As your child gets older, the intrigue of how to interact with them naturally diminishes, and they'll usually start playing with what you have lying around the house anyway (including one of the Play Kit boxes). Now that he or she understands how to play games, an exceptionally curated toy box becomes even more appealing.
In addition, too many toys can quickly lead to an cluttered home, which goes against the Montessori ethos. According to the Lovevery website, "parents say these are the 'only toys you'll need.'" I have to agree! But
"We've done all of the homework so you don't have to," the company's website adds. And, for parents who would otherwise spend hours researching developmentally appropriate children's toys, the statement isn't incorrect. But not every parent does or should worry about toy research. Even for parents worried about maximizing their child's playtime, there are plenty of more cost-effective alternatives
