Lovevery “The Realist” Play Kit Review For 19, 20, 21 Months: Worth It?

Trying to decide if “The Realist” Play Kit from Lovevery is worth it? YES! Shop it here!

If you were to purchase all of the cheapest dupes and alternatives I mention in this post in an attempt to self curate, you're looking at spending around $160, which is $40 more than purchasing from Lovevery. If you purchase the most expensive dupes, you're looking at spending $243 which is double the cost of this play kit!

In this post, I'll share a video review, the cost of the play kit, and the pros and cons to it, and how the cost compares to self curating with Amazon or other alternatives.

NOTE: We introduced the items in this playkit to my daughter when she was around a year old, so 6 months before the recommended age and it has now been over 2 years of using them! Discover how the toys held up and which ones were great to introduce at 1 year old instead of waiting!

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

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

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What is inside The Realist Play Kit for Months 19, 20, 21?

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Alternatives/dupes:

One best dupes I found for the Lovevery's Lockbox in terms of quality is KiwiCo's Play-And-Go Lockbox. It's basically a hybrid of the one from this playkit, and Lovevery's drop box from their Target line; making it a real 2-for-1!

Beyond that, this option is similar with the added challenge of a lock and key – but it does come in significantly more than Kiwico's.

Additionally, have an entire blog post on montessori busy boards with more similar options.

Alternatives:

Nothing exactly like Lovevery's with it's quilted critters in the pockets; which really does make it suitable for as young as 1 years old and as old as 3 and a half I've seen my daughter play with it.

However, if I were self curating this play kit, I do love this montessori animal matching game which is a perfect pick for this age group!

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Amazon Alternative:

This montessori aligned pitcher is perfect for toddlers practicing pouring skills and you can use a cup you already own!

Amazon Alternative:

This toddler flashlight is easy to hold and has soft lighting too.

Alternatives:

While there's nothing exactly like this Lovevery item, it is a twist on a class montessori toy you can find on Etsy here or Amazon here.

NOTE: While this item wasn't in our original Lovevery play kit, I do have the Monti Kids version of this item and can say that my toddler didn't get much use out of it. My 9 month old on the other hand has loved it – even though he can't do it properly himself yet.

Alternatives:

• This option is a more basic version of Lovevery's (one piece over the 3D peg) but the most similar in terms of shape and style
• This option is similar in shape and multiple pieces of the 3D puzzle, but it has animal faces making it less montessori but providing an additional challenge of not only matching the shapes in the puzzle, but also aligning the faces.

Amazon Alternative:

NOTE: I know the topic of doctors visit with toddlers has a lot of passion on both sides. I think finding a book on what a check up looks like is a VERY unique experience for each family – and moreover I would STRONGLY recommend reading these books through before reading with your toddler. Personally, I'd only give them something if the child is struggling with it (e.g. if your child doesn't mind doctors visits, don't read a book about the main character feeling scared about going to the doctor as they may think it's something to fear).

• Daniel Tiger: Daniel is scared to go to the doctor's visit even when he's not getting a shot. The book walks through the appointment from the waiting to otoscope exam, etc.
• My Doctor's Visit does a good job of actually explaining to kids the tools used on them during a checkup and the body parts and what it all means.
• We're Going To The Doctor: a walk through of a doctor's appointment for siblings, one getting shots and another with a sickness.

Discontinued Items From The Realist Play Kit By Lovevery:

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Note: this item was moved to the Pioneer play kit which I recommend skipping.

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Alternatives:

We LOVE this item in our house and have gotten so much use out of it in the last couple years. There are so many ways to reinvent it. My daughter uses the wooden pegs as “baby bottles” now that she's 3. We've used it with the block set for building, etc.

It's now in the Pioneer Play Kit – which I think is a skip – so I would purchase this alternative or this one instead.

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Mini Board Book Alternatives:

I'm a huge fan of mini board books for 1 year olds. They foster independence, love of reading, and are just great to have in your diaper bag.

You can purchase a set of 12 mini board books here that are montessori aligned with real imagery as well.

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Is The Realist Play Kit from Lovevery worth it?

YES! Shop it here!

Financially:

If you were to purchase all of the cheapest dupes and alternatives I mentioned in this post in an attempt to self curate, you're looking at spending around $160, which is $40 more than purchasing from Lovevery. If you purchase the most expensive dupes, you're looking at spending $243 which is double the cost of this play kit!

Qualitative experience:

While this play kit has gone through some major changes since we received it, I can say that my daughter at 3 years old continues to use the Quilted Critters and flashlight regularly. We get a lot of intermittent use out of the lock box still as well.

I did have another baby who has also loved the items and they are all still in perfect condition. I would probably introduce this playkit around 1 years old, and just add items the child isn't interested in to toy rotation to extend the life of some toys.

How much does The Realist Play Kit from Lovevery Cost?

The Realist Play Kit is $120 for 3 months of toys, or you can get a 10% discount if you pay up front which would bring the price down to $108, or “$36 a month” as it says on their website here.

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

Shop “The Realist” Play Kit from Lovevery:

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