Attention, all frazzled parents!

Whoever said 3 a.m. diaper changes and sleepless nights were the only perks of having an infant, clearly didn't know about the exhilarating world of play! Ah, yes, play - the magical activity that entertains and exhausts our tiny bundles of joy.

Let’s be honest, folks, it’s not just for them; it’s for us too.

As a teacher, I’m aware of play’s significance on the learning process. But as a parent? Play is here to rescue us from the brink of insanity.

Turns out, infants aren’t simply lumps of cooing adorableness that require feeding and cuddling. Nope, they’re miniature explorers ready to conquer the world, and play is their secret weapon for mastering their tiny world! It's how they learn, discover, and become professional babblers. Getting to play is practically like attending Baby Harvard (minus the student loans).

Play is no walk in the park. It takes strategy, creativity, and toys that make even the most organized homes resemble toy store explosions. Oh, the joy…

Enter Lovevery’s Play Kits

This is NOT a sponsored review. I bought these Lovevery toys and all opinions are my own.

Lovevery offers Montessori-inspired toy subscriptions boxes, the wingmen of early childhood development. Compared to the minimal amount of Dollar Daze toys I grew up with, I consider these toys a luxury. They ring in at a smooth $80 USD a box ($120 USD for 1 year +).

Why Lovevery’s Play Kits?

Numbers talk in our household, so WTF Hubby and I mathed - not girl math but good ol’ math ya know? A new play kit arriving every two months works out to be less than $40 USD a month for us, with a promo code and going prepaid. Since we love to live luxe for less, I’m sharing $20 off a Lovevery subscription with my readers;)

Lovevery toys aren’t bulletproof, but they’re durable enough to survive banging, throwing, teething, and a puppy (don’t ask) to get passed down to another round of babies. Achieving childhood heirloom status means bypassing the landfill, and what toy doesn’t want that?

With their meticulously curated selection, they’re the only toys I buy - apart from books! Our home remains my oasis of sanity, where toys are cherished, not cluttered.

And did I mention how aesthetic these toys are?! The wooden toys double as pretty displays - swoon.

Although we’re not against toys with flashy lights and catchy tunes, we’re definitely side-eying them after watching Poltergeist. Lovevery toys are reassuringly battery-free! They teach our littles that the power source of fun isn't a pair of double-As, but rather the boundless energy of their own minds.

As I sit here, charging my own internal battery, I admire the determined parents - hunched over laptops and delving into the world of DIY play kits. It's both impressive and slightly intimidating, but hey, who needs that cozy nap when you can become a toy kit mastermind?! Kudos to them! Meanwhile, I'm just here, outsourcing the toy-making to Lovevery, and trying to squeeze out enough energy to keep this blog from sinking into oblivion.

*Bonuses: Lovevery is no stranger to collabs! Last month, they offered free Shutterfly photobooks to play kit subscribers, which made one impressive birthday present for WTF Hubby.

Then there’s the free Lovevery App for subscribers, personalized for stages of growth and includes extension activities using materials from the physical Play Kits.

Play As Easy As 1-2-3

Enter your kiddo’s birthday, and Lovevery will suggest a developmentally-appropriate play kit of open-ended, brain-boosting goodness!

There’s also the comfort of never having to play the guessing game with a play kit! You'll know exactly what's inside – no unexpected surprises, which makes it easy to skip a kit if you want. And as for those toys within the kit, fear not! No need to scratch your head trying to figure out what to do with them. Instructions are crystal clear in the Play Guide (or watch the video!), giving you ways to play, tips from experts, developmental info, and extension activities.

Bunbun Reviews The Play Kits

We have a new critic in town, and she happens to be ruthless. That's right folks, my baby Bunbun is here to spill the beans on her favourite Lovevery toys.

2-month-old Bunbun looking at her high contrast picture cards

The Looker Play Kit (Months 0-3) – Skipped this one! We were already swimming in so many high contrast picture cards and books, thanks to my energetic pregnant phase.

The Charmer Play Kit (Months 3-4)
Bunbun’s picks: Soft book (we brought this sensory book with us everywhere!), crinkle bag, rubber triangle teether, and framed mirror for tummy time!
Only okay: Rolling bell and hand-to-hand discs

The Senser Play Kit (Months 5-6)
Bunbun’s picks: Parts of Me Book (still a favourite), spinning rainbow, and magic tissues
Only Okay: Rainbow ball and tummy time wobbler

Wobbling with the tummy time wobbler from the Senser Kit

The Inspector Play Kit (Months 7-8)
Bunbun’s picks: First puzzle, drinking cup and nesting cups, treasure basket, ball drop and balls, and My First Signs book
Only Okay: Texture picture cards

Playing with the puzzle from the Inspector Kit

The moment a Lovevery package arrives, you’d think it’s like Christmas morning for both me and my little girl. It is! Bunbun and Mimu cat are both curious about playing with the cardboard box that the toys came in! To be fair, it’s a nice box!

As a teacher, I've seen how curiosity fuels learning, but I’ll never understand the mysterious affinity that cats and babies have towards boxes.

If variety is the spice of life, then these Play Kits are the spice rack of baby play! I love mixing and matching toys from different kits to create a smorgasbord of sensory experiences for Bunbun.

And among this sensory savannah, Bunbun is currently fascinated by the wool and wooden balls. We explored how balls roll, their roundness, their smoothness, and we clack them together! Then… I watched as her cute baby fingers grasped and released a ball into the drop box for the first time! We both got so excited that our laugh turned from celebratory to hysterical…

Bunbun loves boxes! What did I tell you?

Honestly…

Parenting comes with enough guilt trips to rival the Himalayas. Whether you choose to indulge in a Lovevery Play Kit or not, it doesn’t make you a terrible parent.

Resisting play is the malpractice.

Now, some may argue, "Who has time for play when there's a mountain of dishes waiting to be washed and a pile of laundry waiting to be folded?" Well, life is short and babies grow up fast. Embrace the chaos, roll in the laughter, and dive into the vibrant realm of play with your kids.

Still not convinced? Doctors, psychologists, and researchers alike all agree that play is a vital component of mental well-being. Not only does play reduce stress levels, but it also boosts creativity, problem-solving abilities, and builds connections between you and your little ones. By engaging in play, you become a superhero, teaching your children the importance of embracing their own sense of self.

Trust me. As a Grade 1 teacher and first-time mom, nothing compares to the pure elation of seeing your kids' eyes light up as you jump headfirst into their world of play.

Lovevery Play Kits are amazing tools for our family

And at the end of the day, that’s what they’ll be: tools for keeping your kiddo engaged during tummy time, tools for storytelling (don't be surprised if your baby interrupts with a few babbling plot twists of their own), and for us, a tool for navigating separation anxiety!

So what are you waiting for? Play!

Welcome this era of playtime with open arms, my fellow adventurers! 🎁✨ Play is transformative, and Lovevery has crafted a formidable playbook for those who can afford this convenient avenue to exhaust our babies with simple, yet beautiful toys while we recharge our own battery.

(Remember to knock $20 off your Lovevery Play Kits with this link!)

With or without Lovevery, embrace the chaos, mess, and unending sensory stimulation - all because play is the secret to your little one's bright future and your survival, too!