The recent shifts in the Lovevery play kits prompted a deep dive into whether the older, beloved toys are still worth buying independently. After testing the current kit items and reviewing the removed ones, the takeaway is that while the changes aren’t overwhelmingly bad, a couple of specific items stand out as worth seeking out separately.

How Good Are the Toys in the Current Play Kit?

The current kit contains several engaging items, but their value varies depending on the child’s current developmental stage.

Items That Worked Well for Us

• Bea Gets a Checkup: This book was useful for preparing a child for routine doctor visits, specifically providing talking points around the experience.
• The Really Real Flashlight: This flashlight is noted for being not very powerful, which was ideal for use with a child, allowing for fun play in the backyard without worrying about eye strain.
• Quilted Critter Pockets: This toy proved popular because it required concentration and fine motor skills to manipulate the critters.
• Geo Shapes Puzzle: This puzzle was surprisingly engaging. The post suggests introducing it around 20 months old, as it is described as a pretty tough puzzle to master.
• Lock Box: The box is beneficial for teaching mechanics, offering four different locks. The suggestion was to demonstrate how the locks work using slow, purposeful movements.
• Grooved Pitcher and Glass: This item helps develop hand-eye coordination and self-control. When starting out, the post suggests using dry items like beans or rice before moving to water, and starting with a small amount of water.

Which Items Were Less Engaging?

• Count and Slide Ring Shoot: The interest level with this toy was reported as on and off, suggesting it might not be a universal hit.
• Garden Puzzle: This puzzle is described as being very tough, with anecdotes suggesting some children may not master it until 24+ months old.

Are the Removed Lovevery Toys Still Worth Buying?

For those who missed items removed from the latest kits, there were a few standout recommendations for purchase from the subscriber shop.

Top Picks to Buy Separately

• Wooden Pegboard: This item was a huge hit and remained in rotation for the reviewer since introduction.
• Leo and Melody at the Farm: This interactive book features touchable pages, including a scratch and sniff element, and was highly recommended for purchase.
• Mini Books (Being Silly and Many and Few): These small, wordless books are easy for little hands to handle and are good for car rides, though they were noted as potentially overpriced compared to Amazon alternatives.

Items to Skip or Replace

• Hideaway Balls: At $6 for a set of three, these were deemed not worth it because the material is too soft and dents easily. The reviewer suggested using any previous wooden or felt balls from older kits instead, as they all fit the lock box.
• Lovevery Math Skill Set: The specifics of this item were not detailed enough to give a buying recommendation, but its inclusion suggests early skill-building focus.

What About the Older Kits?

Two items that were bumped up to previous boxes were mentioned:

• Garden Puzzle and Wooden Pegboard: These were noted as being in the previous pioneer box for the 16, 17, 18 months range.

The Final Verdict

Overall, the changes made to the Lovevery list were deemed not too bad. The new items, like the ring shoot and geo puzzles, were praised as unique and fun. However, based on the experience, the wooden pegboard and the Leo and Melody at the Farm book are the two items that stood out as being genuinely missed and worth purchasing independently. The hideaway balls, on the other hand, were strongly advised against buying.

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Where to buy

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