Why I'm Paying Hundreds For Lovevery Play Kits

I used to think toys were the easy part of having a baby. Just buy something that lights up and makes enough noise to keep the baby entertained, right?

Not really. Though distracting toys were probably what a lot of us grew up with, I quickly came to realise that they're not want I want for my baby. For one thing, I value peace in my home. For another, research shows that babies do better when they're playing actively with a toy, rather than sitting back and being entertained by one.

When I was pregnant, I read The Montessori Baby and was enchanted by the idea of my baby quietly playing with a rolling cage that contained a tinkling bell, or putting a wooden ball into a container. This was the kind of toy that would help his development, and also wouldn't drive me insane.

But where to find these toys? A quick search on the usual shopping platforms turned up overpriced Montessori toys ($20 for a wooden ball, anyone?) and it wasn't clear if they were baby-safe, anyway. Given that my son would very likely be trying to stuff things in his mouth by a few months of age, I needed to make sure the toys I bought were made from safe materials and the right size so that they wouldn't be a choking hazard.

Enter the Lovevery Play Kits. These are subscription boxes of toys that get shipped to you at the appropriate age, from 0 months onwards, and each one contains toys that are meant for your child's specific developmental needs at that point in time.

For example, the 0-2 months Play Kit (The Looker) contains black and white cards in a book that can be stood up for tummy time, a simple rattle with a detachable ball, and three soft squishy cylinders that make different noises, among other things.

The next Play Kit for 2-4 months (The Charmer - I love how these kits are named) sees a graduation to colourful toys and more sensory play, including a book with different fabric types for texture exploration. The book is especially handy for times when you're out and just want to grab something convenient to take out or put away at a moment's notice, engaging enough to keep your kid occupied for car rides or a quick bite at a restaurant, and won't make a ton of noise if it crashes to the floor in public.

I cannot tell you how much time and worry these subscription boxes have saved me. As a first-time mum, I tend to overthink and over-research everything (ahem, I know you do too if you're reading this). Is this toy safe? Will my child be interested in it? Will it help his development? Is the price worth it?

The Lovevery Play Kits are developed by child development experts including neuroscience professors, Montessori trainers, and cognitive development psychologists — so all the research and sourcing are done for me. The subscription model is great for mums who like to "set and forget". You receive a new box of toys every two months (or every three months from 12 months of age onwards) at your doorstep, with zero hassle. It's always a treat to unpack and explore (sometimes more so for me than my child).

Are Lovevery Play Kits worth the money?

At AUD$130 (about SGD$120) per box for every two months, I'd say yes, it's absolutely worth it. Not only are the toys more expensive if you purchase them individually, you're also saving yourself a ton of time and effort in researching and worrying. Would you already spend that amount per month on toys if you bought them separately? Quite likely. Are the hours you spend worrying and researching worth more? Also quite likely, if you're a working professional.

Getting the Play Kits at the appropriate ages ensures that the toys are always there at the right time. Who likes spending money on things that your child wouldn't use?

I also love how detailed the Play Kits are, as if they were lovingly packed by your child's very well-informed godmum who knows exactly how clueless-yet-neurotic you are as a parent.

The guide that comes with each Play Kit tells you how you and your child can interact with the toys during playtime, so you can use them meaningfully, why they're specifically good for developing certain skills, and what materials they're made from, as well as how to clean them. I like that the wood is sustainably sourced, and beautifully made and polished with no rough edges to risk splinters.

The aesthetic also fits well in my home. The colours they choose for the toys are bright yet tasteful, so they look really good even if there's a disarrayed heap of them on the playmat. The sounds are also gentle and not at all jarring to the ear — great for engaging yet not overstimulating a small baby and a severely sleep-deprived mum.

Is it too late to start?

Although we started from the 0-2 months Play Kit, it's not too late to start if your baby is already a few months old. When you sign up for your first Play Kit, you'll be asked to enter your child's date of birth so the age-appropriate kit will be sent to you. For us, our son only started showing interest in the toys after he was a month old and out of that sleepy stage.

Can the toys still be used at a later age?

Definitely. Although your child might be more engaged by the advanced toys as they grow older, the old toys still serve as a familiar anchor for them. We still use the three squishy cylinders linked together as a car seat toy, for instance.

Do I need the Lovevery Play Gym to make the Play Kits worth it?

So I bought the Play Gym when he was about three months old (not coincidentally, I was returning to work at the time and a good dose of mum guilt spurred the late-night purchase). That's a whole other review — spoiler alert, no regrets at all — but you don't need it to make the Play Kits work. The Kits are great by themselves at engaging your child.

Of course, some items complement the play gym beautifully. They can be hung or clipped on to the arch of the play gym, but they are in themselves a whole and complete set of toys for your child to play with, regardless of their current setup at home.

So who would benefit the most from it? The Play Kits aren't for everyone, but if you're a working mum who wants to save yourself the headache of researching and purchasing developmentally-appropriate and safe toys, they're a godsend. Personally, I think that if the Lovevery Play Kit makes your life even 10% easier as a new mum, it's worth it. And I really appreciate the chance to spend my time meaningfully — a lot less worrying, and a lot more being present for playtime and interaction with my child.

The Lovevery Play Kit starts from AUD$130 (about SGD$120) at the official website. You can also find Lovevery kits on Amazon.

Melody Bay is a lipstick fiend, lover of bacon aglio, and a brand new mum to an adorable little boy. Currently in a state of advanced sleep deprivation and unsure if she will ever recover.

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