Great review! Your Lovevery reviews are so helpful, I have the Realist kit already but I feel so overwhelmed by the potential volume of toys if I go buy the remaining kits. I'm torn between the Button Board kit and the Car Racer kit. I won't buy the Babbler because I already have duplicates. Do you feel like the Button Board gives a lot of play value to? I already plan to buy the hammer pounding toy from the 24-36 month kit which could take the place of the Companion kit, the hammer toy works a similar visual pattern matching skill. Also I love your idea of giving the toys earlier to get more play value out of them. I would love to hear your daughters favorite toys that got a lot of play value looking back.
Awe thank you!! I *think* you're referring to the Companion (button board?) and the Pioneer (car racer?) If so I would 1000000% do the Companion over the Pioneer. The Pioneer isn't a great value over all - the button mosaic board gets played with quite a bit in our house! And the "hammer toy" is kind of different than what they offer in theirs with the different hole sizings I think making it a problem solver too. --- I do plan on doing a video probably in the late summer /early fall about what toys we've gotten the most use out of probably! She definitely goes through phases with them so my memory is always skewed with what she's playing with the most at the moment. But she's always loved the animal figurines in the Companion, the flexible wooden stacker in the babbler now and the coin box from that, the lock box and quilted critters from the realist, and ball drop from the inspector. There's tons more she lovesss but those are some of her most loved from the first 2 year kits. We've been playing with the 2-3 kits the last few months so I'll be starting to share those next month!
@@theconfusedmom Thank you so so much for responding to my question! I will definitely add the Companion to my play kit thanks to your recommendation. Your perspective and yoyr videos add a tremendous amount of value in compiling my playroom. I'm so excited to hear what your daughters favorite play toys were the first two years! I love seeing her concentrate and learn via her toys, it helps me understand what might be interesting to my child at those ages and I'm surprised some times what toys really engage the toddlers. It would make me really happy to see how a mom with a small space or mom on a budget would rank the toys that your daughter liked the most. Its inspiring to see families with enough space and budget for the awesome Lovevery toys and unique gross motor toys :)
@@mica9708 Awe thank you!!! Yeah I try to always think about that (small budget/space) and why I'm kind of critical on some of the items at times lol not that I think they are "bad" usually. Also why I like doing the dollar tree toddler activity videos! Because there are SO many things we can do using cheaper items. But I do love splurging on toys like this since they go in their mouth and just last SO much longer. It's all about balance in our house. One of my daughter's favorite things is honestly masking or painter's tape and seeing how it sticks to Lovevery balls, or her Pikler triangle or herself or me or the dog! haha She uses it to make "bandages" for her dolls too. Like the simplest things can be so worthwhile for them.
@@theconfusedmom Aw that is so cool about the masking tape :) I am very excited to view your toddler activity videos, I really applaud your personal experience with Montessori as a kid and how you are bringing up your daughter. I hope to emulate! Honestly the Montessori method is a revelation for me, when I compare it to the public school trajectory I had I am shocked at the skills I could have developed from 0-6 years of age. I strongly want to guide my child at home in the Montessori way. I feel like I need to do with my toddler/ preschooler rather then waiting for public elementary school years. Why wait? Except I don't know how to do Montessori at all, nevertheless at home with toddlers and preschoolers. Lol!
@@mica9708 Awe I get it! We always planned to homeschool R, but are actually touring some half day montessori preschools starting this week with the baby coming! We'll pull her back into homeschooling most likely once she ages out of it. Honestly, my Montessori preschool ist where I developed my LOVE of learning; the regular school system held me back. I was fortunate to have some good teachers along the way who kept me engaged, but I was SO bored and think my daughter will be the same... I'm working on a long-term series that will start going live most likely next month all about our montessori at home inspired life. We definitely don't follow it strictly, but I think the reason I love it so much with kids is it simply boils down to: *observe your child *(this way you can let them lead their own development and it's oddly less work for you), and * respect them (that's the "practical life skills" piece - truly treat them like small people, not babies and toddlers. If you'd want your 7 year old to do it, start having your 2 year old do it (age appropriately of course, I'm not asking my 2 year old to make a pasta dinner yet haha but she does help pour it into the water and scoop servings). It's just about inviting them into our world when they show an interest, and taking an interest in theirs and guiding them to stay in the growth zone when invited.
Honestly it's tough to say - i don't know what you have in your toy collection/what gaps the item would fill. But the doll and peg drop got use well past 15 months with both of my kids. I love the book and pincer puzzle as a travel toy/ toy to use while waiting at a resturant or appointment and will last until about 2ish i think. The switchbox wasn't included when i got ours, i think ids will like it but have no experience with it. And the sliding box top is nice, but my kids and i have always gotten more long term use out of the object permanence box. Hope that helps!
Thanks for your reply and your amazing review! I have a lot of flashy toys so I want to remove those and replace with these toys instead. I did get the explorer, thinker and babbler. He loves the babbler but I’m unsure whether to return the other two, as he may not be interested in the explorer. I think the switch box is great! The explorer tube and rings look great, did your kids use this past the intended age recommendation ? Its so hard to know what they will or won’t use lol I did buy a object permanence box from Amazon as I didn’t want to buy that kit due to it’s been for the younger age bracket. He played with it for 5 mins and hasn’t touched it since 😂 Decisions decisions 😂
Yes they did! For the object permanence box, show him how it can be used for a pretend house, hide and go seek, etc. My kids (2 + 5) still play with it, but i did show htme how to repurpose it@@AmberLynnMusician
You mention the Subscriber shop in this and your newest video, but how long will Lovevery be offering that option? I emailed them with this question and never got a response. My concern is that they will no longer be offering old items by the time my 16 week old is ready for these updated kits.
I have no idea- but I *think* it's here to stay for good... I know the subscriber shop was initially announced as a way to soften the blow of the 1-2 year old play kit update last year with a 40% discount to those impacted at that time... those were a pretty devasting change compared to what was offered, since they've already kind of gotten past that wave and stopped offering the discount but continue to offer the subscriber shop items, I think they are leaving it for good but haven't ever heard them speak on it. With all of that said, I'd imagine they'd offer it for at least a year to catch all of those impacted worst case scenario? I will try asking the person who sent me this one though and reply back if I get an answer!!
This is the response I got: "This is indefinite right now, to my knowledge we're planning on having the Subscriber Shop be available as long as possible." -- so basically what I thought. I know they have some pretty big investors backing them and a lot of these changes started happening after a pretty major round of funding closed in late 2019 or early 2020 (can't remember exactly), so my guess is that they make calls/execute pretty quick. But given the success of the subscriber shop, I think they'll keep them indefinitely as long as people keep ordering from them and it's financially worthwhile.
What would you recommend if you had to buy just one? A dupe for the first permanence box? Where the ball slides outside. Or the lovevery Target version that has a lid? Thank you
Depends on the age and what the kid is into. My daughter prefered the object permanence box from like 7 months until like 2. She likes seeing HOW things work. My son likes finding things, and it took him a while to master the object permanence box (like around 11 months) at which point he liked pulling things out of the lovevery ball run, which has a door similar to the target dupe so he would've def prefered that one.
You can only do it if you have a subscription. As far as I know after that specific box ships they send a link to that specific subscriber shop. If you're subscribed to the 1-2 year old kits and want an under 1 subscriber shop link you could always try emailing their customer service and see if they'll send it to you but I'm not sure how to access if you didn't get that box shipped to you
Is that what it's priced at in the subscriber shop? And it's hard to say! She's almost a year and a half past the intended age range and did play with it for about 2.5 weeks consistently then it was left untouched as we moved into that 3rd week so I put it in toy rotation storage... (which is pretty consistent for her). So in that sense it was a winHard to say at this point when I put it out again in another month or two how she'll react. So for her I'd be on the fence... I have another baby due this summer so for me, yes it would be worth the $25 because I know even if she doesn't play with it again the baby will for sure. For those reasons, I think it depends on where your kids are at. With that said, I prefer it to the amazon dupes just because the amazon dupes encourage hitting/hammering. While I think it's great to have toys to redirect kids in that phase to do it on something "appropriate" I don't love the idea of preemptively introducing it.
@@jacieroughton8501 Probably not! We saved everything and other than this kit, I don't think the first year has changed too significantly. I did test out the KiwiCo panda crate towards the end specifically because of our new LO to get some new stuff that would still engage R but could also work with the baby even if R was a little older.
@@jacieroughton8501 haha yes! Especially if you have a kid who watches "Songs for Littles" on UA-cam (it's like educational/early talker speech kids show) they use it in the videos and my daughter LOVES getting it out. She also uses it in her dollhouse and it sits with her while she paints sometimes. Weird little item that she still plays with very regularly!
![LOVEVERY CONNECTOR PLAY KIT REVIEW: Worth it?!? [+ Amazon Alternatives & Dupes to Self Curate!]](/img/n.gif)
Great review!
Your Lovevery reviews are so helpful, I have the Realist kit already but I feel so overwhelmed by the potential volume of toys if I go buy the remaining kits.
I'm torn between the Button Board kit and the Car Racer kit. I won't buy the Babbler because I already have duplicates.
Do you feel like the Button Board gives a lot of play value to?
I already plan to buy the hammer pounding toy from the 24-36 month kit which could take the place of the Companion kit, the hammer toy works a similar visual pattern matching skill.
Also I love your idea of giving the toys earlier to get more play value out of them. I would love to hear your daughters favorite toys that got a lot of play value looking back.
Awe thank you!! I *think* you're referring to the Companion (button board?) and the Pioneer (car racer?) If so I would 1000000% do the Companion over the Pioneer. The Pioneer isn't a great value over all - the button mosaic board gets played with quite a bit in our house! And the "hammer toy" is kind of different than what they offer in theirs with the different hole sizings I think making it a problem solver too. --- I do plan on doing a video probably in the late summer /early fall about what toys we've gotten the most use out of probably! She definitely goes through phases with them so my memory is always skewed with what she's playing with the most at the moment. But she's always loved the animal figurines in the Companion, the flexible wooden stacker in the babbler now and the coin box from that, the lock box and quilted critters from the realist, and ball drop from the inspector. There's tons more she lovesss but those are some of her most loved from the first 2 year kits. We've been playing with the 2-3 kits the last few months so I'll be starting to share those next month!
@@theconfusedmom Thank you so so much for responding to my question! I will definitely add the Companion to my play kit thanks to your recommendation. Your perspective and yoyr videos add a tremendous amount of value in compiling my playroom.
I'm so excited to hear what your daughters favorite play toys were the first two years! I love seeing her concentrate and learn via her toys, it helps me understand what might be interesting to my child at those ages and I'm surprised some times what toys really engage the toddlers. It would make me really happy to see how a mom with a small space or mom on a budget would rank the toys that your daughter liked the most. Its inspiring to see families with enough space and budget for the awesome Lovevery toys and unique gross motor toys :)
@@mica9708 Awe thank you!!! Yeah I try to always think about that (small budget/space) and why I'm kind of critical on some of the items at times lol not that I think they are "bad" usually. Also why I like doing the dollar tree toddler activity videos! Because there are SO many things we can do using cheaper items. But I do love splurging on toys like this since they go in their mouth and just last SO much longer. It's all about balance in our house. One of my daughter's favorite things is honestly masking or painter's tape and seeing how it sticks to Lovevery balls, or her Pikler triangle or herself or me or the dog! haha She uses it to make "bandages" for her dolls too. Like the simplest things can be so worthwhile for them.
@@theconfusedmom
Aw that is so cool about the masking tape :)
I am very excited to view your toddler activity videos, I really applaud your personal experience with Montessori as a kid and how you are bringing up your daughter. I hope to emulate!
Honestly the Montessori method is a revelation for me, when I compare it to the public school trajectory I had I am shocked at the skills I could have developed from 0-6 years of age. I strongly want to guide my child at home in the Montessori way. I feel like I need to do with my toddler/ preschooler rather then waiting for public elementary school years. Why wait? Except I don't know how to do Montessori at all, nevertheless at home with toddlers and preschoolers. Lol!
@@mica9708 Awe I get it! We always planned to homeschool R, but are actually touring some half day montessori preschools starting this week with the baby coming! We'll pull her back into homeschooling most likely once she ages out of it. Honestly, my Montessori preschool ist where I developed my LOVE of learning; the regular school system held me back. I was fortunate to have some good teachers along the way who kept me engaged, but I was SO bored and think my daughter will be the same...
I'm working on a long-term series that will start going live most likely next month all about our montessori at home inspired life. We definitely don't follow it strictly, but I think the reason I love it so much with kids is it simply boils down to:
*observe your child *(this way you can let them lead their own development and it's oddly less work for you), and
* respect them (that's the "practical life skills" piece - truly treat them like small people, not babies and toddlers. If you'd want your 7 year old to do it, start having your 2 year old do it (age appropriately of course, I'm not asking my 2 year old to make a pasta dinner yet haha but she does help pour it into the water and scoop servings).
It's just about inviting them into our world when they show an interest, and taking an interest in theirs and guiding them to stay in the growth zone when invited.
I was looking for a review on the pouch, wondering if I should buy it in the subscriber shop. Great review, thank you!
Hi there!! Would you think this kit would still be suitable for a 15 month old? It was offered as an add on to the babbler! Thanks so much!
Honestly it's tough to say - i don't know what you have in your toy collection/what gaps the item would fill.
But the doll and peg drop got use well past 15 months with both of my kids. I love the book and pincer puzzle as a travel toy/ toy to use while waiting at a resturant or appointment and will last until about 2ish i think.
The switchbox wasn't included when i got ours, i think ids will like it but have no experience with it. And the sliding box top is nice, but my kids and i have always gotten more long term use out of the object permanence box.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for your reply and your amazing review! I have a lot of flashy toys so I want to remove those and replace with these toys instead. I did get the explorer, thinker and babbler. He loves the babbler but I’m unsure whether to return the other two, as he may not be interested in the explorer. I think the switch box is great! The explorer tube and rings look great, did your kids use this past the intended age recommendation ?
Its so hard to know what they will or won’t use lol I did buy a object permanence box from Amazon as I didn’t want to buy that kit due to it’s been for the younger age bracket. He played with it for 5 mins and hasn’t touched it since 😂
Decisions decisions 😂
Yes they did! For the object permanence box, show him how it can be used for a pretend house, hide and go seek, etc. My kids (2 + 5) still play with it, but i did show htme how to repurpose it@@AmberLynnMusician
how much are the extra dolls at the shopb?
You mention the Subscriber shop in this and your newest video, but how long will Lovevery be offering that option? I emailed them with this question and never got a response. My concern is that they will no longer be offering old items by the time my 16 week old is ready for these updated kits.
I have no idea- but I *think* it's here to stay for good... I know the subscriber shop was initially announced as a way to soften the blow of the 1-2 year old play kit update last year with a 40% discount to those impacted at that time... those were a pretty devasting change compared to what was offered, since they've already kind of gotten past that wave and stopped offering the discount but continue to offer the subscriber shop items, I think they are leaving it for good but haven't ever heard them speak on it. With all of that said, I'd imagine they'd offer it for at least a year to catch all of those impacted worst case scenario? I will try asking the person who sent me this one though and reply back if I get an answer!!
This is the response I got: "This is indefinite right now, to my knowledge we're planning on having the Subscriber Shop be available as long as possible." -- so basically what I thought. I know they have some pretty big investors backing them and a lot of these changes started happening after a pretty major round of funding closed in late 2019 or early 2020 (can't remember exactly), so my guess is that they make calls/execute pretty quick. But given the success of the subscriber shop, I think they'll keep them indefinitely as long as people keep ordering from them and it's financially worthwhile.
@@theconfusedmom Good to know. Thank you for the information.
What would you recommend if you had to buy just one? A dupe for the first permanence box? Where the ball slides outside. Or the lovevery Target version that has a lid? Thank you
Depends on the age and what the kid is into. My daughter prefered the object permanence box from like 7 months until like 2. She likes seeing HOW things work. My son likes finding things, and it took him a while to master the object permanence box (like around 11 months) at which point he liked pulling things out of the lovevery ball run, which has a door similar to the target dupe so he would've def prefered that one.
Do you know how to access the subscriber shop? I cannot find it online.
You can only do it if you have a subscription. As far as I know after that specific box ships they send a link to that specific subscriber shop. If you're subscribed to the 1-2 year old kits and want an under 1 subscriber shop link you could always try emailing their customer service and see if they'll send it to you but I'm not sure how to access if you didn't get that box shipped to you
THE CONFUSED MOM - The plural of "one" is "ones".
Do you think the pegbox is worth $25?
Is that what it's priced at in the subscriber shop?
And it's hard to say! She's almost a year and a half past the intended age range and did play with it for about 2.5 weeks consistently then it was left untouched as we moved into that 3rd week so I put it in toy rotation storage... (which is pretty consistent for her). So in that sense it was a winHard to say at this point when I put it out again in another month or two how she'll react. So for her I'd be on the fence...
I have another baby due this summer so for me, yes it would be worth the $25 because I know even if she doesn't play with it again the baby will for sure.
For those reasons, I think it depends on where your kids are at.
With that said, I prefer it to the amazon dupes just because the amazon dupes encourage hitting/hammering. While I think it's great to have toys to redirect kids in that phase to do it on something "appropriate" I don't love the idea of preemptively introducing it.
@@theconfusedmom that's true! i'm not expecting another baby yet! >.< will you be re-subscribing to Lovevery for your new LO?
@@jacieroughton8501 Probably not! We saved everything and other than this kit, I don't think the first year has changed too significantly. I did test out the KiwiCo panda crate towards the end specifically because of our new LO to get some new stuff that would still engage R but could also work with the baby even if R was a little older.
@@theconfusedmom do you think the Mouse in a Sleep Sack is worth $6?
@@jacieroughton8501 haha yes! Especially if you have a kid who watches "Songs for Littles" on UA-cam (it's like educational/early talker speech kids show) they use it in the videos and my daughter LOVES getting it out. She also uses it in her dollhouse and it sits with her while she paints sometimes. Weird little item that she still plays with very regularly!