How We Tested

Lovevery provided its age-staged kits directly to evaluators, with distribution coordinated by Best of the Year. Eight consumer testers used the kits with their own children, ranging from babies through preschoolers, over several weeks rather than a single sitting. Families evaluated the quality and durability of the toys and books, the usefulness of the parent guides, how well the kits worked for their child's age and stage, and which pieces their children returned to over time. They also shared what they would change and whether they would recommend the kits to other families.

Five expert judges with parenting and product expertise also evaluated the kits, including their developmental design, quality, inclusivity, differentiation, and value. Best of the Year analysts and editors reviewed the entry, submitted materials, and marketing claims alongside the judges' and families' feedback before reaching a final decision.

What Experts and Consumer Testers Said

Our reviewers, consumer testers and subject matter experts alike, were unanimous in its favor. They praised the quality and the open-ended design among the highlights. The experts were struck first by the craft and the thinking behind it. As one put it, "Beautifully made, developmentally thoughtful materials with strong open-ended potential. The inclusion work is integrated rather than tacked on."

“Beautifully made, developmentally thoughtful materials with strong open-ended potential. The inclusion work is integrated rather than tacked on.” -Best of the Year Judge & Parenting Category Expert

The included book in each kit frequently got a special call-out, where parents and experts alike treated it as a highlight rather than an afterthought. Another expert kept coming back to the inclusion work: The company features diverse books and playthings, a free support service, and kits adapted for children with disabilities or who are developing differently, all designed in from the start.

Several experts highlighted the value and framing. They noted that the payoff grows with the child: while the infant space is already crowded, the real differentiation shows up in the older kits, now running up to age five. One category expert summed it up nicely when they called it "an expert-designed, science-backed play system that's thoughtfully sustainable and inclusive by design, integrated from the start, not bolted on," while making the fair point that it's a premium investment that pays off most for a growing family.

"An expert-designed, science-backed play system that's thoughtfully sustainable and inclusive by design, integrated from the start, not bolted on." -Best of the Year Judge & Parenting Category Expert

A child-development specialist added a thoughtful note about how you use it: the kits are organized around milestones and age windows, which is handy, but she'd encourage flexible, child-led play over treating the guide as a checklist. And one expert testing it with a roughly ten-month-old found it age-appropriate and creative, but felt the play value ran a little thin for the price at that youngest stage — another reminder that the older kits are where the value lands.

Parents pointed most often to the quality and how far the toys stretch. One testing a kit with a 14-month-old was struck by how the older kids in the house kept finding new ways to play with the same pieces, calling it very versatile. Another, with a 20-month-old, loved the thoughtfulness of each toy and noted that which pieces click depends on the child, a fair reminder that it's a system to grow into rather than a guaranteed hit on day one. As one parent put it, "I liked the cards that came with it to guide us how to play and the quality of the toys. You can tell a lot of thought went into them, and they were perfect for the age intended."

"I liked the cards that came with it to guide us how to play and the quality of the toys. You can tell a lot of thought went into them, and they were perfect for the age intended." -Best of the Year Consumer Tester

Reviewers also noticed the details you don't always think about. The packaging arrives thoughtfully protected and recyclable, with trays and dividers that keep everything organized and minimal inks on the box. And the staying power shows up beyond the playroom: there's a healthy secondhand and resale market around Lovevery, which says a lot about how long families hold on to these kits.

It's also worth noting that while Lovevery’s subscription Play Kits are designed for children through age 5, the brand’s offerings extend well beyond the subscription. Families can also shop one-off kits, school-readiness sets focused on early math and reading skills, and many of Lovevery’s books separately, which were such a hit with our testers that we love the option to purchase favorites on their own.

The one reservation that many flagged was the price. It's a premium buy, and the value for many felt strongest in the older kits and for families with more than one child.

Best of the Year Bottom Line

If you want toys that grow with your child and get passed down instead of tossed, Lovevery is an easy one to recommend, and it's especially worth it for the older kits and growing families. It's a premium pick, so if you go the subscription route, read the cadence and billing terms first, and then enjoy it.

Why Trust Us?

The Best of the Year Media team comprises award-winning editors, analysts, subject-matter experts and consumer specialists who have built their careers helping people make smarter, more confident decisions. With deep expertise across consumer lifestyle categories, our team brings decades of experience evaluating products, brands and services. Our recommendations are grounded in rigorous evaluation combined with expert judgment and consumer insights, giving readers trusted guidance on products, services, and experiences worth bringing into their lives.

P.S. We use affiliate shopping links where possible. We may earn a few dollars if you click them. It’s one of the reasons we're able to give you a calmer site experience, with fewer ads and distracting pop-ups.