Lovevery “The Senser” Play Kit Review For Months 5-6: Worth It vs Amazon?

Trying to decide if “The Senser” Play Kit from Lovevery is worth it? In short: YES! If you were to purchase each of the Amazon alternatives to recreate this Lovevery box yourself, you'd spend a minimum of $101 or as much as $147 depending on which one's you pick! Both of which cost more than the $80 you'd spend purchasing from Lovevery directly and you'll miss out on Lovevery's quality.

In this post, I'll share a video review of The Senser Play Kit from Lovevery, the pros and cons to this toy subscription box for 5 and 6 month olds, Amazon and Etsy dupes to curate it yourself, and our experience after having this toy box for since 2018 for two kids!

You can read the FAQs and full review of Lovevery Subscription Play Kits here.

Video review: “The Senser” Play Kit in action:

How much does The Senser Play Kit from Lovevery Cost?

The Senser Play Kit is $80.

You can get a 10% discount if you pay up front which would bring the price down to $72, or “$36 a month” as it says on their website which you can shop here.

What is inside The Senser Play Kit for Months 5-6?

It's a great for your baby to practice fine motor skills and looks like something that would keep my daughter so entertained/engaged.

Dupe:

So the spinning drum is actually a classic montessori item and you can find it at loads of retailers. The Amazon reviews are all pretty much the same (good at a glance with a mirror side, but reviews about exposed glue and splintering wood). So I included some Etsy picks, which tend to be higher quality in my experience. Here are a few dupes for you to check the price on:

Dupe

This is an item you can easily DIY using a tissue box for free. If you want a wooden box instead this one even features an enclosed bottom. NOTEWORTHY: Lovevery's is finished and there are ZERO concerns about splintering, the dupe looks a little unfinished and may need a water based sealer before I'd give to a toddler. Can't say for sure since I don't have it, but something to look at if you do order it!

Dupes:

You can again, DIY what goes inside the box (tissues, wash clothes, cut up old swaddle blanket!). But you can also get play scarves like these to go in the box (you may need to cut them down to fit in the box – not positive though!).

On the flip side, you can get a fully done for you sensory tissue box so you don't need to stress about whether or not the items fit in the box like these:

• Cheapest option, soft box
• Wooden box with sensory squares of varying textures
• Wooden box with 10 scarves

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Dupe

This sensory ball from HABA features 8 different sides (so a few less than Lovevery's) and isn't organic cotton. But it is machine washable and a very similar item!

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This book is literally just pictures like you see on the cover with the name of the body part at the bottom. So hands on the cover, ear, eyes, arm, feet, etc.

Your heart will MELT the day you child starts to point to the body parts on their body and the fact you've read this book literally a million times will all be worth it!

Amazon alternatives:

This book also features real kids but covers even more body parts and is a FANTASTIC alternative!

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Amazon alternatives:

You can purchase a pack of 4 sensory socks (2 pairs) here. We actually got these as a gift too, and I will say the Lovevery one's fit significantly better and stay on better, but the high contrast of the dupe are more engaging in my experience.

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Anyway, it's basically supposed to be a fun tummy time activity where babies push it and it bounces back and it rolls around encouraging them to start crawling and moving around more.

My daughter started crawling very early at 6 months, so by the time we gave her this, maybe she was just a little over it? I'm not sure.

Dupes

A wobbler toy has been around forever! There are tons of dupes out there but here are some of my picks:

• Wooden wobbler – this is about the same size and comes in a ton of different hand painted options and is priced well with great reviews. It does may a little jingle sound
• This is a bigger option with more musical sounds from a well trusted brand
• These are technically bath toys, but I think they could work as a dupe that doesn't make any sound – NOTE they say they don't mold, but reviews did find mildew growing in the cracks!

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Discontinued Lovevery Items:

Lovevery dupes

I think they discontinued this since you already get it in the Play Gym. With that said, I never knew how to use it when I got it from Lovevery, but got another one in my Monti Kids Level 1 and that quickly became one of my son's favorite toys! The key is to introduce it around 3 months and hang it so they can practice kicking and batting!

This is a similar option (same style, different pattern) for $25.

This one is about $24 and my preferred pick as the colors are a bit more high-contrast, making it more engaging for young babies and it's just cuter IMO.

Is The Senser Play Kit from Lovevery worth it?

Lovevery has made some great updates to this play kit since it first came out! Parents rave about the spinning drum and the book is still one of our favorites!

Financially speaking…

Yes, the cost of the Senser Play Kit is $80. To recreate this you are looking at spending a minimum of $101.

Of course, if you are recreating it you may not want all the items; but you do also risk losing out on quality and durability that Lovevery offers.

Do I recommend it based on experience?

This play kit has seen significant improvements since I got it. Most parents I've spoken with report LOVING the rolling drum, and the wobbler. For them the socks have been the biggest dud (which were one of our favorites).

The original version I probably wouldn't recommend, but the current version has some awesome items. We still use the tissue box for sensory experiences with my 3 year old beyond the tissues (e.g. hiding items in and having her guess what's inside) and she still loves to read the book even at 3 years old.

My son isn't quite at the stage for this play kit yet, but he has enjoyed the socks which we did introduce to him around 3 months.

So overall, if you have the budget or are looking for a great gift for a 5-6 month old, this is a great play kit to start with!

Shop “The Senser” Play Kit from Lovevery:

You can read the FAQs and full review of Lovevery Subscription Play Kits here.

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Originally published 7/20/2020; Updated 10/19/21