As a frequently-googling mom, I’ve often come across articles saying that play is crucial for physical, brain, and social development in children — even in the early months. (1) But with so many options out there, I didn’t just want to buy a bunch of toys that would end up in the bin a few months later. I wanted to ensure what I was getting would nurture meaningful play and promote development for my little girl.
Toy subscription companies like Lovevery curate and deliver boxes of playthings every 2-3 months that are designed to suit your child’s current developmental abilities. And another bonus is that they’re Montessori-inspired!
I tested out the kit for 5- to 6-month-olds with my little girl and will share with you all you need to know about the toys — including the quality, whether it was fun, and more.
Keep reading to find out if Lovevery play kits are right for your baby and you!
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
What is Lovevery?
Lovevery makes Montessori play kits and other toys for babies and toddlers. The play kits usually have 5-8 toys that are age-appropriate, promote development, and are made from natural materials where possible. They get delivered every 2-3 months, depending on the age of your child.
Their play gym for 0- to 12-month-olds is another popular product that is designed with multiple Montessori-inspired activities that let babies have fun and grow at the same time.
Lovevery toys for babies
Lovevery’s most famous products include:
Lovevery Play Gym
This baby play gym has several activity zones that are designed to stimulate brain, motor, and sensory development in 0- to 12-month-olds. It stands out because of its minimalistic design and multiple uses (it can be covered to become a tent too)!
See our Lovevery Play Gym review on our sister site Mas & Pas here: Lovevery Play Gym review
Lovevery Play Kit subscription
Montessori-inspired toys are carefully curated and delivered every 2-3 months. Each toy in the box is selected to suit your baby’s current developmental stage. So you won’t have to wonder what new toys to get as your baby matures.
Here, we will be reviewing the Lovevery Senser Play Kit for 5- to 6-month-olds.
What is a Lovevery Play Kit subscription?
With a Lovevery Play Kit subscription, you get a box of toys regularly delivered to you on a 2-3 month basis.
Each set comes with about 5-8 playthings that are specifically designed to help nurture your child in their current developmental stage.
So, for the 5- to 6-month-old kit, you’d find a lot of sensory items, while the 7- to 8-month-old kit will help them learn about object permanence (knowing that things still exist even when they cannot be seen).
Lovevery Play Kit subscription: honest review
By Loopla team member Ana, and baby Grace
I tested out the Lovevery Senser Play Kit for my 5-month-old daughter to see what she thought of the toys.
When the box arrived I was very excited to see what had arrived.
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
The Senser Play Kit is for 5-6 month olds and came with:
1. Spinning rainbow
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
2. Magic tissue box
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
3. Organic cotton rainbow ball
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
4. Parts of Me book
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
5. Play socks
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
6. Tummy Time Wobbler
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7. Play guide for parents
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery play kit: material quality
I was completely blown away by the quality of the materials. And I loved how wood was used in many instances instead of plastic — making it much more durable.
The fabrics also seem to be top-quality because they were very soft with great colors.
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery play kit: age suitability
The size and design seemed to suit my girl really well — she would grab and hold the items easily. It also seemed to motivate her to explore the world in different ways.
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery play kit: baby entertainment
My girl loves her toys, and it keeps her busy for about 15 minutes a day. I think she would say that they’re entertaining and taste great!
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery play kit: Mom approval
I loved the fact that my baby had toys that not just kept her busy but also nurtured her development with just the right amount of stimulation. It was great that I could have about 15 minutes to myself!
The total price of each box is a little pricey. But, I found that it was worth the value because of the simple but stimulating design, which is hard to find these days.
Another thing to note is that it may not suit parents who want toys that are made from 100% natural materials.
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery play kit: instructions and guides
The play items could be used straight out of the box, so it was very easy to set up. I loved that I could leave my girl to explore the toys on her own, but the additional guide also gave some other ideas about how to extend her play.
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
How I rate the Lovevery Senser Play Kit
After my daughter played with the Senser toys for a few weeks, this is how I would rate the Lovevery Play Kits in each category.
| Overall | 4.5/5 stars High-quality toys that engaged my daughter well. |
| Material quality | 5/5 stars Very good quality items. Soft finishes with vibrant colors. Uses wood where possible — making it more durable. |
| Age suitability | 5/5 stars My little girl needed little assistance playing with the items. |
| Baby entertainment | 5/5 stars My baby was very engaged with the items (a few minutes with each toy). |
| Mom approval | 4/5 stars Toys kept her busy for quite a while! |
| Instructions | 5/5 stars Additional play guide was very helpful and insightful. |
Is Lovevery the best baby toy subscription?
To me, Lovevery is one of the best baby toy subscription services. Their Montessori toys are so meaningful without being too stimulating.
I loved that it’s specifically curated to suit each developmental stage, and I could definitely see myself keeping these items for future generations. Their commitment to using natural, nontoxic materials where possible is also a big bonus.
Lovevery Play Kit online customer reviews
Lovevery Play Kits received 4.9 out of 5 stars from 19,033 customers on Babylist. Lovevery does not have individual reviews for its play kits, but the brand has received mostly 5-star reviews from over 2,000+ users.
Here’s what customers like most about their play kits:
- Age-appropriate items in their kits were great for entertaining (and even soothing) their babies.
- They liked the information about their child’s current developmental stage and suggestions on how to nurture them.
- Parents like that it encourages them to be proactive in their child’s development.
- Those who follow the Montessori style of raising their children liked that these toys were in line with that educational system.
Many parents said that these kits were worth the splurge, but some did mention it was a bit too pricey for their liking. A small minority of babies also did not take to the items.
Most reviewers felt that the Lovevery Play Kits were valuable to their child’s development and enjoyment as shown in the reviews below:
Explore the play kits
Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery Play Kits pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Carefully curated play items in each kit | On the pricey side |
| Stage-based play in each kit to suit your baby’s current developmental milestones | May not suit those that don’t believe in the Montessori system of learning |
| Designed by child experts and informed by scientific research | Only works on a subscription basis |
| Designs are guided by the Montessori system of learning | |
| Kits available to children from 0-48 months in 2-3 month age brackets | |
| Beautifully designed toys | |
| Tested to be child-safe | |
| Natural materials used where possible | |
| Subscription format for more convenience |
Are Lovevery Play Kits worth it?
After having tested the Lovevery Play Kits myself, I’d say they’re definitely worth it for parents who want a set of toys that are meaningful, with just the right amount of stimulation (not too noisy or complicated). And if you also believe in the Montessori learning philosophy, this would be particularly suited to you.
I loved the convenience of getting each kit delivered to me on a regular basis so I don’t have to keep worrying about what toys to buy next as my girl gets older.
The 5-8 items in each kit are also high-quality, durable, and made from mostly natural materials — you can even share it among siblings. So you’re getting a good value for various activities in one box.
Plus, if you buy the same items separately, it’s likely to cost more than what you get with Lovevery. For example, a board book, wooden rattle, picture cards, and fabric book are likely to cost around $80 altogether before shipping.
Explore the play kits
Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
How does Lovevery work?
Lovevery’s Play Kits work on a subscription basis, and here’s a brief look at how it works:
- Sign up for a subscription and input your baby’s current age.
- Receive a specially curated play kit to suit your baby’s current developmental stage.
- Next, boxes will be delivered every 2-3 months depending on their age. So for example, if the first box is for a 5- to 6-month-old baby, the next box will come 2 months later. And will be for 7- to 8-month-old babies.
- You will be charged based on your subscription choice: Pay-per-kit, 3-kit prepay, or 4-kit prepay.
Kits for 0-12 month babies ship every 2 months and those for 13 months+ ship every 3 months.
They also sell one-off items like play gyms, block sets, and more!
Explore the play kits: Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
How to use Lovevery Play Kits
To get started with Lovevery Play Kits, you need to:
- Sign up for your subscription. You can choose to pay-per-kit, 3-kit prepay, or 4-kit prepay.
- Specify your child’s age so they can send you the right starting kit.
- Wait for your kits to be delivered every 2-3 months!
The items can be used straight out of the box and don’t require any setup.
All play kits also come with a play guide with instructions on how to make the most out of the kits. And it even gives you additional information on other home activities and your child’s current developmental stage.
You can skip kits or cancel your subscription through your online account.
Benefits of the Lovevery Play Kits
The key benefits that the Lovevery Play Kits offer are:
- Stage-based play — For example, the 5- to 6-month-old kit has toys to support tummy time and sensory play. While the 7- to 8-month-old kit focuses on motor skills and object permanence.
- Designed by child experts.
- Follow Montessori learning principles which encourage independence, focus, purpose, and creativity.
- Made from high-quality, nontoxic materials. They also try to use natural materials where possible.
- The play items are quite compact and suitable for small spaces.
- Subscription format is more convenient — Parents don’t have to keep thinking about what new and meaningful toys to get for their children as they mature.
How much are Lovevery Play Kits per month?
In the US, it costs $80 per kit for babies 0-12 months. And they will be delivered every 2 months. So it works out to be $40 per month.
For children 13-36 months, the kits cost $120 per kit. And they will be delivered every 3 months. So this works out to be $40 per month too.
Free contiguous US shipping on all kits.
Lovevery Play Kits Europe
Lovevery Play Kits along with the Play Gym and Block Set are now available in the UK and Europe for 0- to 36-month-olds!
Here’s a look at the UK and EU pricing:
UK: £80 per kit (￡120 per kit for later stages)
EU: €84 per kit (€126 per kit for later stages)
Free ground shipping in the UK and for most EU countries (like Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and more).
Can you buy individual Lovevery Play Kits?
Lovevery Play Kits work on a subscription basis, so you technically can’t buy them individually.
But, you can just start a subscription and then cancel it immediately after the first one to get just one kit.
Lovevery toys and items you can buy individually
They also have other popular items like:
- Block sets (US, EU, and UK)
- Montessori shelf (US only)
- Home Essentials — like cutlery and swaddles (US only)
- Organic cotton play tunnel (US only)
Lovevery Montessori-based toys
Lovevery was created from a Montessori approach that helps to develop children’s independence, creativity, and focus.
This is why they’ve created many of their products to be simple, open-ended, and made from natural materials.
For example, their simple cotton and wood tissue box can either be used as a mouthing object to explore orally. Or as a toy for exploring containment as tissues disappear in the box.
What is a Montessori toy?
Technically, there are no specific Montessori toys because Montessori is a type of learning ideology. But there are many playthings that follow Montessori principles that encourage meaningful, child-directed exploration of their world. (4)
This can include toys that:
- Are based on real life — Like real pictures of objects, people, or animals rather than cartoons.
- Are made from natural materials — like rubber, wood, and metal that have more sensory input (rather than plastic).
- Focus on one skill at a time — This encourages concentration. So minimalist toys are preferred over loud toys with many distracting features.
- Foster independence — Toys that they can easily explore themselves are preferred. This helps the children see themselves as capable members of their family and society.
With these characteristics put together, the aim of Montessori is to help children develop into curious, independent, creative, and persevering little people!
Montessori toys for a 6-month-old
Here are some examples of Montessori toys for 6-month-olds: (5)
- Textured balls
- Ball dropbox
- Baby-safe mirrors
- Maracas
At what age can babies start playing with toys?
Babies start “playing” or exploring toys from about 3-4 months when they start to realize that they can use their hands to grab things. You’ll very quickly notice them reaching for things, and they’ll start being amused by rattling sounds and things with texture. (2)
Before this, a lot of baby “play” is centered around interacting and bonding with caregivers, like smiling and playing peek-a-boo. (3)
Lovevery materials and safety
Lovevery ensures that all materials are nontoxic, safe for babies, and follow international standards for toy safety. They use natural materials as much as possible (like organic cotton and wood) along with silicone to ensure a higher standard of safety.
They also test their products to ensure that they’re free from harmful chemicals like phthalates and heavy metals. (6)
Alternatives to Lovevery
Monti Kids is a Montessori educational program for 0-3 years that comes with all toy materials and even a structured digital course for parents. It’s slightly more focused and structured than Lovevery and follows the Montessori system even more closely. (see our full Monti Kids review here)
For parents who want to help nurture their children’s STEM and artistic sides, you’ll definitely want to check out KiwiCo. They have kits for newborns all the way to teenagers and beyond! (see our KiwiCo vs. Lovevery review here)
Explore the play kits
Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Is Lovevery for babies worth it?
Lovevery is worth it for parents who want high-quality play products for their babies that also nurture their development through the Montessori framework.
It is on the pricier side. But many other parents and I say that they’re worth it because of the durability and developmental benefit it brings to their babies.
Explore the play kits
Lovevery Play Kits UK / Lovevery Play Kits US
Lovevery FAQs
Who created Lovevery?
Lovevery was started by Jessica Rolph and Rod Morris who were on a mission to create meaningful play products that support child development.
Is Lovevery a Montessori company?
Lovevery creates Montessori-inspired toys that follow the underlying philosophies of the teaching system — including natural exploration and experiential learning.
Where is Lovevery based?
Lovevery is headquartered in Idaho, USA. And they also have offices in Amsterdam and Hong Kong.
Where are Lovevery toys made?
Lovevery toys are made in Ningbo, China.
Are Lovevery toys nontoxic?
Yes, Lovevery toys are nontoxic and baby-safe. All materials in their products are tested and comply with world safety standards. For certain products like the Play Gym, they even go beyond these standards by using materials like organic cotton and silicone.
Can you gift a Lovevery box?
Yes, you can gift Lovevery Play Kit boxes and Play Gym. For the US store, you can even specify the baby’s due date so that your present will arrive just on time!
References
- “Why play is important”, raisingchildren.net.au
- “When Do Babies Really Start Playing With Toys? An Expert Explains”, Jessica Booth – Romper
- “Playing with newborns”, raisingchildren.net.au
- “What are Montessori toys?” Lovevery
- “Montessori Toys”, Montessori Method
- “Frequently Asked Questions”, Lovevery
