Updated 27 October 2026. My hands-on experience with these services dates back to 2020. This update checks current published offers separately; it is not a new round of product testing. Box contents, ownership, prices and terms may have changed since I used them.
Toys pile up. Children lose interest. And somehow you’re still buying more. Toy subscriptions can make choosing easier, but the right option depends on whether you want to borrow toys or keep them.
I have tried all five services covered here. That experience is useful background, but it cannot tell you exactly what will arrive in a box today. Below I have separated the current information I could check from older experiences and details that still need confirming.
Toy subscriptions at a glance
Compare the total bill, not just an advertised monthly equivalent. The table scrolls sideways on smaller screens.
| Service | Borrow or keep? | Price and billing |
|---|---|---|
| Whirli | Borrow and swap | Small plan displayed at £12.82 a month equivalent, billed £38.45 every three months. Other billing options differ. |
| Lovevery UK | Keep | £80 per baby kit every two months; £120 per kit from age one, every three months. |
| The Little Sensory Box | Keep | Current collection lists £49.99 per quarterly box with free delivery. |
| Grow With Me | Keep | £35 monthly subscription or £35 single kit; prepaid bundles also available. |
| Toy Box Club | Previously a toy rental service | Current direct pricing and sign-up terms could not be verified for this update. |
These are published prices, not guaranteed quotes. Confirm delivery to your postcode, the amount due today, renewal dates and cancellation conditions before paying.
Whirli: choosing toys to borrow
Whirli uses a token allowance to let you choose toys and return them for others. When I tried toy rental, the appeal was being able to move on from toys without finding permanent cupboard space for everything.
The current service offers toys for ages zero to eight. Its pricing page lists the different billing periods and delivery costs. The first delivery is free; further standard deliveries and returns are £3.49 each without a booster. A three-month delivery booster is listed at £23.97.
Pay-monthly plans have a reduced token allowance during the first three months. Check this before comparing them with prepaid plans. The published page allows changes or cancellation, but returning borrowed toys and any outstanding balance still matter.
Lovevery: stage-based kits to keep
I used Lovevery during the toddler years and liked the feel of the toys and how long they stayed interesting. That is a reflection on the kits I used then, rather than a test of every current kit.
Lovevery’s UK Play Kits page lists £80 kits every two months for babies and £120 kits every three months for children aged one to four. These are per-kit charges, not monthly prices. The toys are yours to keep, so think about storage and whether siblings may use them later.
The supplier says subscriptions can be skipped or cancelled. Check the current payment option and delivery charge before ordering rather than assuming every UK address has the same terms.
The Little Sensory Box: quarterly sensory play
The tactile and high-contrast pieces were part of the attraction when I tried sensory boxes. A current subscription will not necessarily contain the same things.
The current baby subscription collection lists £49.99 boxes billed and sent every three months, with different starting ages and numbers of boxes. The website also warns of a two-to-four-week wait for orders.
Its FAQ and terms give differing cancellation details. Ask the business to confirm the applicable notice period and next charge in writing before subscribing. I would not describe this simply as “cancel anytime”.
Grow With Me: monthly toys and a book
Grow With Me’s current shop offers stage-based play kits containing toys and a board book. It lists a £35 monthly subscription and a £35 one-off kit, alongside prepaid bundles. Free delivery is advertised.
A single kit gives you a way to try the current range without starting a monthly renewal. Check the selected age stage, what is included and the renewal conditions. My earlier experience does not guarantee the contents of today’s boxes.
Toy Box Club: an older experience to treat cautiously
Toy Box Club was included in my original testing as a service that delivered and collected age-appropriate toys. I could not verify a current direct offer for this update, so I have removed the old price and current recommendation. That does not establish that the business has closed; it means I cannot confidently tell readers what they can book today.
Before choosing a box
- Work out the annual cost, including postage, returns and optional extras.
- For rental, check missing-piece, damage, cleaning and return policies.
- For subscriptions, check renewal dates, minimum commitments and cancellation notice.
- Follow each toy’s age warnings and instructions, particularly around small parts, magnets and batteries.
- Inspect toys on arrival. A subscription does not replace your own checks or supervision.
Toys supplied in Great Britain may use CE or UKCA marking under the applicable rules; Northern Ireland has different requirements. A mark is not a personal safety test by this blog. See the government’s toy safety guidance.
Would I choose rental or a box to keep?
Rental makes sense to consider when cupboard space is tight and interests change quickly. Keeping a kit may suit a family who wants to revisit the toys or pass them on. Neither is automatically cheaper than buying a few well-chosen second-hand toys.
My starting point would be the total cost and the toys your child will actually use. There is no need to buy a subscription to make playtime worthwhile.
