Is Lovevery worth it?

[yogaandlaughs]

We are frugal and have our first little MM on the way. We are keeping our baby purchases to essentials, and are getting most things used (off Kijiji, etc). We live in a small apartment and live below our means. We are also big savers (savings rate is 70%). We have however stumbled upon Lovevery. They have a subscription box with Montessori-inspired minimalist toys for babies curated for their particular age group to maximize their learning and development. A box of toys, books and engaging activities arrives every two months for the baby’s next development stage (i.e. 6 boxes a year). The subscription is $40 a month. We don’t normally spend much money and can definitely afford it. You can cancel the subscription at any time. We really love the types of toys included in the boxes. We’ve checked for used boxes of Lovevery, but haven’t found any in our area. But are we crazy to spend this sort of money? Does anyone in the community have experience with Lovevery/have any of these boxes?

[englishteacheralex]

Not to be a kill joy, but um, no, not worth it in my opinion. Montessori toys are...ok, I'm feeling kinda mean now (I was going to type some not very nice adjectives). Put it this way: I think Montessori toys are not worth the money. And I REALLY think a subscription system to Montessori toys is not worth it.

I see Montessori toys ALL THE TIME on facebook marketplace, and marvel at the outlandish prices even when people try to sell used. Do you know what my kids love to play with more than anything else in the world? Amazon boxes and sticks. Like, sticks from outside. You know those wooden kitchen helper stand things for $200 that Montessori people are all about? Just use a nice, sturdy step-stool from Home Depot. $20 max, takes up way less space, and can be used for a multitude of other tasks.

But if you really love those types of toys, you can get them so much cheaper on the used market. I kinda hate toys in general. I spend a not-insignificant amount of time getting rid of toys, honestly. Really basic toys (wooden blocks, legos, puzzles, matchbox cars), and the fewer the better, has been my philosophy. I spent the first seven years of my kids' life in an 850 sf apartment, so part of that has been due to necessity.

[kei te pai]

Its your love and time that will maximise learning and development, not things you buy in a box.

[Peachtea]

I have a two month old and I'm always seeing adds for loverery. I like and am using montessori toys, but I think it's better to buy them from Etsy or used. If you buy from Etsy they are also wood and good quality but you can pick the individual items (or small sets) you want and also put them on your registry. Picking individual items might seem annoying re figuring out the appropriate age group, but a lot of sellers provide that info...and you can look at what loverery put in it's age groupings. Buying individual items or sets let's you get only the ones you want, less clutter, and customize to your baby. The loverery kits includes some key pieces and then what seem like filler items. I'd rather just buy the key pieces. I'd also rather buy items when my baby is ready for them vs waiting for the subscription. An example, the loverery package doesn't include a crinkle toy until the 3 month group but my baby loved her crinkle toys I was gifted from the get go. You might want some of the toys earlier than when the subscription intends to send them based on your baby's own development rate. The first two kits also just don't seem like good bang for your buck compared to buying the items elsewhere. Some of the other kits are better value with the bigger toys, where the main toy is like $40 ish from Etsy vendors but they still include filler items for an $80 box.

One physician recommended pathways.org to us early on and we registered for their weekly age based emails. It's free and gives a few activities to do with your baby that week to support development. Most of the activities either require no toys or ones that are so common (rattle, stuffed animal) you'll have or household items as substitutes. I really like having the suggested activities sent weekly and the info on upcoming milestones.

[yogaandlaughs]

Thanks so much all for these encouraging and helpful responses! We will hold off and look for used/creative replacements instead. Great suggestions re Etsy too.

I love this line from Kei Te Pai: “It’s your love and time that will maximise learning and development, not things you buy in a box.”

Couldn’t agree more.

We will check out pathways.org too.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. Really appreciate it :)

[Cranky]

You can buy a lot of stuff from the actual Montessori supply places for that price.

[hiker_girl]

There's a YouTuber called Maria and Montessori who reviews Lovevery kits and tells you how to assemble better ones - ones that work more skills for less cost. I'd start with that to identify which toys to get on the used market.

That said, my daughter's favorite thing for most of the first year of her life was the recycling bin. It was like a treasure chest with new surprises everyday. And us. She wanted to interact with us, crawl all over us for hours, cuddle with us while we read, and play with zips and snaps and buttons on our clothes.

[yogaandlaughs]

Great tip re Maria and Montessori. Hadn’t heard of her before. Just watched some of her videos. She’s very helpful.

I love that your little one’s favourite thing was the recycling bin. So adorable.

Thanks again for the advice. Much appreciated.

[tweezers]

My daughter's favorite thing for her first 18 months was the drawer we kept our plastic tupperware in, and the utensil drawer (spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.) a close second.  I would not buy a thing toy-wise...especially before your little one is born.  Congratulations! 

[Dee_the_third]

Naw. We have an 18 month old. I thought about it, I even bought him a Pikler triangle, but careful observation and reinforcement of his natural curiosity is enough He actually likes climbing up onto the couch more than the Pikler, because mom and dad keep the interesting stuff up there. (i.e. our phones, lol)

[GreenToTheCore]

Thank you for starting this thread. We just had a family member bring up Lovevery and how much she loves it and I couldn't quite put my finger on why it didn't feel right.
Pathways.org seems like an immediate fit. Just signed up for the email!