In this Build Your Own series, we will be building our own play kits with Lovevery alternatives for The Explorer play kit by understanding the function of each toy. This kit is designed for infants starting at 9-10 months and primarily features playthings for Baby starting to 1) observe cause and effect they have on their environment, and 2) coordinating both sides of their body to achieve a goal.
Best Lovevery Alternatives for The Explorer Box
As always, here are my recommendations for the top Lovevery alternatives I recommend for The Explorer play kit. More details on why, as well as additional product recommendations for 9-10 month olds, below!
Tip & Turn for Bilateral Coordination
This tip and turn toy rotates the ball around by manipulating both hands. My little one never took to it and I’ve heard similar feedback from others as well.
I’d personally say to skip this play concept if you don’t have the Lovevery kits because there is no good alternative to it, but if you wanted to mimic it’s intended purpose, a bundt pan and a ball you already have could do the trick.
Lovevery Stacking Rings
Stacking rings are a classic baby toy. For this Lovevery version, it pairs a clear tube with 4 colorful stacking rings.
There are lots of alternatives for this available depending on if you are looking for: variations include 1) material, 2) colors, 3) textures, 4) complexity.
Lovevery Egg Cup
A first “puzzle” for your little one – stacking an egg into a cup. Pretty simple and once solved, it’s no longer very interesting in my experience. I’d skip this.
If you wanted to replicate one, there are knock-off versions available, but I think these sumo egg holders with some wooden eggs (can double as Easter decorations) are a whimsical alternative.
Lovevery Jingle Keys
Babies love to shake toys left and right to hear them jingle around. Instead of them stealing your real keys, here is a set for themselves.
From my experience, little ones will take most things and shake them to hear noises. From an old baby bottle filled with rice or a box of baby puffs, I wouldn’t explicitly get them something to just jingle.
However, I would get them something to start learning about musical instruments and allow them the opportunity to make purposeful music! This band in a box set is so fun!
Lovevery Canister Sets
Little canister sets for little hands to practice opening and closing a variety of different lids. This play thing has been a hit with curious little ones who want to solve this canister/lid “puzzle” – opening and closing it to manipulate it in their hands and improve their motor skills. They’ll also love taking things out, and (eventually) putting things in.
There is no good alternative for this play thing because while there are so many home items with lids, no high quality ones have been scaled down to the size of a baby. However, this pretend play cooking set has a few items for which there are lids, including the kettle, pot, and pressure cooker!
‘How I Feel’ Lovevery Board Book
Start teaching baby early on about the different options they might experience – the first step towards emotional intelligence.
Teaching baby’s feelings is so important so they can start recognizing and naming their feelings themselves. It’s a popular topic and thus, there are many different alternatives to teach baby feelings.
Lovevery Stacking Blocks
Three wooden blocks perfect as a first stacking toy, sized for little hands.
While it’s great to start off with a small number of blocks to avoid overwhelm, eventually, you’ll want a larger set to build larger structures. Might as well just start with a larger set so they’ll all match when you offer them all. Here are some fun options:
Lovevery Play Scarf
A play scarf is a classic Waldorf play thing because it allows for open-ended play, however, lots of Montessori-aligned families use them too. For now, little one will have fun exploring the physics of it all – watching it float down after it’s tossed up, using it to play peek-a-boo, and pulling it out of unexpected places.
Much bigger than the Lovevery play scarf, Sarah’s Silks is one of the most popular companies from which to get play silks. You can get a large or a mini silk, depending on how you intend your little one of play (or just.
Is this DIY Cheaper Version of Lovevery Explorer Box Better?
Yes, I would personally skip the Lovevery The Explorer Play Kit.