Lovevery Play Kits Review: Educational Genius or Overrated Subscription Box?

Lovevery Featured Image

As parents, we want to give our children only the best—especially when it comes to play. But in a world full of plastic toys and eye-catching distractions, Lovevery is a household name for all responsible parents. Their minimalist, Montessori-inspired playsets promise smarter, more purposeful play, backed by the science of child development. But are they really that good… or just hype in a nice package?

My daughter and I subscribed to Lovevery’s Play Kits (from the Charmer Kit to the Investigator Kit) for a whole year, and today I’m giving you a completely honest and factual review—the good, the great, and the “maybe it’s not worth it.”

⭐ What Is Lovevery?

Lovevery is a toy company that creates subscription-based, step-by-step playsets for babies and toddlers. Each set is tailored to a specific age group, from newborn (0–12 weeks) to age 4, and includes toys designed by child development experts to meet your child where they are—cognitively, physically, and emotionally.

The focus is on open-ended, Montessori-inspired play with sustainably sourced materials (such as FSC-certified wood and organic cotton) and is based on neuroscience-based learning. Each set also includes a play guide—a kind of cheat sheet for parents that explains how to use the toys to support developmental steps.

Pros Cons
Beautiful, durable, eco-friendly toys Price may be high for some budgets
Each toy supports key developmental stages Some toys may feel “too simple” at first glance
Play Guides are super helpful for first-time parents You can't customize or swap toys in a kit
Encourages independent, open-ended play Subscription model may not suit every family
Sustainably made and safe materials Some toys may only be used for a short window

📦 What’s Inside a Lovevery Play Kit?

The contents vary depending on age. Each box contains the following:

  • 4–6 thoughtful toys (not just toys, but learning aids)
  • A play guide with age-appropriate play ideas and developmental tips
  • Simple yet high-quality materials (wood, silicone, organic textiles)
  • Items you probably won’t find in a regular toy store

Here’s an overview of the contents of the Discovery Set (for months 9–10):

  • A wooden “First Puzzle”
  • Montessori Ball Box
  • Stacking Cups
  • Rolling Bell
  • A silicone cup set for water play
  • The board book “How I Feel”

Everything arrived neatly packaged in recyclable materials, and yes, it looked like something from a Pinterest-worthy nursery. But the real test? My daughter’s reaction and how well the toys held up over time.

🔍 Product-Specific Notes: How It All Plays Out

Lovevery has made a name for itself by developing step-by-step play equipment based on scientific findings on child development. But are these premium products really worth the money—or are they just eye-catching additions to modern children’s rooms?

I present three of Lovevery’s most talked-about offerings:

  • The Explorer Kit from the Play Kits subscription
  • The highly acclaimed Play Gym
  • And the first part of the reading system, “Sounds to Reading: Part 1”

Here’s exactly how each of them performed in our household.

🧠 The Explorer Play Kit (Months 9–10)
The Explorer Play Kit
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Stainless Steel Tip & Turn
Transparent Tube Tower
Montessori Egg Cup
Stainless Steel Jingle Keys
Pincer Chime Ball
'How I Feel' Board Book
Roll & Build Cone Set
Bright & Light Play Scarf
Easy-to-follow tips
Even more ways to play
💬 Our Honest Experience:

The Explorer Kit is where Lovevery really began to shine for us. At 9 months, our daughter was entering that curious phase — opening things, dropping things, watching them fall. Every toy in this kit felt like it tapped into that exploration mode perfectly.
  • The clear tube and stacking rings kept her mesmerized for days. She loved watching the rings slide and tumble.
  • The canisters made for endless open-close fun (and snack storage when we got creative!).
  • The ball drop box? A Montessori staple, and now a go-to for cause-and-effect learning in our home.
  • We read the ‘How I Feel’ book daily — and it’s so expressive, even for babies who can’t talk yet.
The durability? Outstanding. No chipping, no peeling, and nothing felt flimsy — even with some heavy-handed baby banging.
👉 Explore the Product
🧸 The Play Gym
The Play Gym
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Organic cotton play mat
Sustainable wooden arch
5 sensory learning zones
High-contrast cards
Mirror card + holder
Teething rings
Montessori-style batting toy
Play Guide + activity cover
💬 Our Honest Experience:

This isn’t just a pretty play mat — it’s a thoughtfully engineered experience for babies from day one.
  • We started using the Play Gym at 3 weeks old, and it grew with our child month after month.
  • It offers more engagement than most activity mats we tried — from high-contrast visuals for newborn eyes to more physical activities like batting and tummy time prompts.
  • The 5 learning zones around the mat are genius. We opened and closed them depending on her focus and attention span.
  • And the removable card sets were a daily favorite.
  • At 6 months, we converted it into a fort using the cover — and that extended its life even further.
👉 Shop The Play Gym
📚 Sounds to Reading: Part 1
Sounds to Reading
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
14 phonics-based books
Short vowel sound focus
Progressive difficulty levels
Parent guide with tips
Progress poster
Sticker milestones
💬 Our Honest Experience:

The Sounds to Reading series feels like a big leap forward in Lovevery’s mission: empowering parents to teach foundational learning at home.
  • Unlike traditional "learn to read" books that can be overwhelming, this set breaks down the building blocks of reading into bite-sized lessons.
  • The first few books (“The Cat,” “Pig in a Wig”) use only short vowel sounds with repetition — perfect for new readers building confidence.
  • As our toddler moved into the 3.5–4 year range, these books felt like the sweet spot between picture books and early readers.
  • The stories were simple but not boring, and the illustrations helped with word association.
  • The phonics guide was a life-saver — clear enough for non-teacher parents to feel like they’re actually helping.
👉 View the Set

👶 How Do the Toys Actually Perform?

✅ Engagement: 9/10

My daughter loved the toys. The ball-throwing and stacking toys kept her entertained longer than anything else we owned. What surprised me most was that she returned to the same toys week after week and found new ways to explore and use them. No flashing lights, no annoying noises—just quiet, purposeful play.

✅ Developmentally On Point: 10/10

You can tell that every piece was designed with thought. Each set seemed perfectly suited to her development—from fine motor skills to learning cause and effect to problem solving. The toys were not only fun but also helped her learn through play.

✅ Durability & Quality: 10/10

Unlike many mass-market toys, these are durable. The wood is solid and smooth, the fabrics are soft and washable, and there’s no plastic waste. After months of use (and yes, chewing), each piece still looks almost new.

✅ Parent Support: 9.5/10

The game guide alone is worth the subscription. It’s like having a little parenting coach on your coffee table—full of practical tips, research-based insights, and realistic activity ideas.

💸 Is Lovevery Worth the Price?

Let’s talk numbers. Play Kits currently start at $80 every two months, which works out to about $40 per month.

While that’s more than your average Target purchase, it’s less than you’d spend on Montessori toys from a variety of brands. Plus, you get not only toys, but also:

  • A playful curriculum
  • Parent confidence
  • Carefully coordinated learning tools
  • A break from the chaos of decision fatigue

For our family, it was worth it. We even bought fewer toys overall because the sets offered so much variety. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you could share the sets with a friend or purchase individual sets instead of a subscription.

🚚 Shipping, Returns & Customer Support

When investing in learning aids for your child, especially at a premium price, fast shipping, flexible returns, and responsive support are just as important as product quality. How does Lovevery stack up when it comes to what happens after you click “buy”?

We’ve tested the process with the play sets, play gym, and reading skill set, and here’s everything you need to know about the behind-the-scenes customer experience—from doorstep delivery to what happens when something isn’t quite right.

📦 SHIPPING: FAST, FREE & ECO-FRIENDLY

Lovevery offers free shipping within the contiguous United States on nearly all products — including subscriptions like The Play Kits and one-time purchases like The Play Gym or The Reading Skill Set.

💨 How fast is it?
  • The Play Kits arrived in 4 business days, in a branded cardboard box with inner trays that kept everything neat and undamaged.
  • The Play Gym showed up in 3 days, and although the box was large, it was impressively minimal and fully recyclable.
  • The Reading Skill Set (ordered separately) came in just under a week, with each book shrink-wrapped and packed carefully to prevent bending or tearing.

There’s no need to pay extra or sign up for any expedited tiers. Lovevery delivers quickly and reliably — even during holiday periods.

🌍 What about international shipping?

Lovevery currently ships to:

  • US (including Alaska and Hawaii)
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Select European countries

However, shipping charges and delivery times will vary by location. Duties and taxes for international orders may apply and are calculated at checkout.

🔄 RETURNS: FAIR, EASY — WITH A FEW LIMITS

⏳ 30-Day Return Window

Lovevery offers 30-day returns on most products, but there are some key rules:

  • Items must be unused and in original packaging.
  • Return shipping is free in the U.S. — just contact support and they’ll email you a prepaid label.
  • For Play Kits, if you’ve opened or used the toys, they’re not eligible for return. That’s understandable given their age-based design and short use window.

This means The Play Gym or Reading Skill Set are safer bets for returns if unopened — but with the Play Kits, you’ll want to be confident in your subscription commitment.

📦 Our Experience:

We contacted support about returning a duplicate Reading Skill Set (gifted twice), and the process was smooth.

They asked a few simple questions, sent a label within 24 hours, and issued a refund within 5 days of receipt — no hassles, no phone calls, no long forms.

🛠️ CUSTOMER SUPPORT: FRIENDLY, RESPONSIVE & INFORMED

This is where Lovevery truly shines.

  • Quick to respond (we got replies in under 24 hours every time)
  • Genuinely helpful (they don’t just send copy-paste answers)
  • Knowledgeable about child development (they actually explain how to use the products better!)
👶 Examples from Our Real Interactions:

We once received a Play Kit missing a single wooden ring — within hours of reporting it, they confirmed a replacement and shipped it the next day.

When we had questions about how to introduce the Play Gym’s card set to our baby, their team gave a step-by-step strategy tailored to his age.

You can reach Lovevery via:

  • Email
  • Chatbot with live agent option
  • A comprehensive Help Center on their site

They don’t offer phone support currently, but honestly, we didn’t miss it. Their online support was fast and far better than many call-based systems.

🎯 Final Verdict: Genius or Overrated?

So is Lovevery an educational genius or an overrated subscription box?

Honestly? It’s pretty genius.

If you value child-centered learning, minimalism, and high-quality materials, Lovevery offers exceptional value. Yes, it’s an investment—but one that will pay off through your child’s curiosity, focus, and development.

It’s not for everyone—especially if you’re on a tight budget or prefer to buy toys yourself. But if you’re looking for a thoughtful, science-backed alternative to cheap plastic, Lovevery is a refreshing change.

🍼 Best For:

  • First-time parents who want guidance
  • Families focused on Montessori or minimalist play
  • Gift-givers looking for something meaningful
  • Parents tired of toy overload and decision fatigue

🚫 Maybe Skip If:

  • You prefer picking toys individually
  • Your child already has lots of similar toys
  • You're on a strict budget with no wiggle room