I began sharing some of our Tuff Tray ideas on Instagram during the very first lockdown in 2020. We take inspiration from nature, seasons and festivals as well as some more obscure themes. I’m a huge advocate for messy play, sensory play and tuff tray play as well as anything which has an educational value. Learning through play has so many benefits and since I began sharing our activities we have been lucky enough to have the chance to review toys too. This section of our blog is dedicated entirely to Tuff Tray ideas.
Creating an engaging sensory experience with Tuff Trays is a great way to stimulate your child’s senses and help them learn and explore. Tuff Trays are versatile and can be used for a variety of activities, from sensory play to art and craft. With a few simple items, you can create a fun and stimulating environment for your child to explore. In this guide, we will discuss how to create an engaging sensory experience with Tuff Trays, including ideas for activities and materials to use.
How to Use Tuff Trays to Create a Fun and Engaging Sensory Experience for Kids
Creating a fun and engaging sensory experience for kids can be a great way to help them learn and explore the world around them. Tuff trays are a great tool for this, as they provide a safe and contained environment for kids to explore and interact with different materials. Here are some of my top tips for using tuff trays to create a fun and engaging sensory experience for kids. As well as some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.
First, choose the materials you want to use in the tuff tray. You can use a variety of items such as sand, water, rice, beans, spaghetti, foam, and other materials. Make sure to choose materials that are safe for kids and that won’t cause any harm. Edible food items are a great starting point for little ones and if you’re careful with storage items can be used repeatedly in different activities. Do not feel like you have to go and buy anything new, I have used things such as sand and compost from the garden to create some of our favourite trays.
Next, set up the tuff tray. Place the materials in the tray and arrange them in a way that will be interesting and engaging for the kids. You can also add items such as toys, spoons, cups, and other items to the tray to make it more interactive. Again use whatever you have lying around the house, although charity shops and bargain high street retailers are great for things like containers, scopps and kitchen equipment.
Once the tuff tray is set up, it’s time to let the kids explore. Encourage them to use their hands and other tools to explore the materials in the tray. Let them use their imagination and creativity to explore and interact with the materials. Arlo was always very inquisitive and would eagerly approach any play set up and do his own thing. You might find sitting at the tray and engaging in play will help more tentative children to gain their confidence in approaching the play activity, but once they are absorbed you can take a step back.
Finally, make sure to supervise the kids while they are playing in the tuff tray. Make sure they are safe and that they are not putting anything in their mouths or getting too rough with the materials. Using tuff trays to create a fun and engaging sensory experience for kids can be a great way to help them learn and explore the world around them. With the right materials and supervision, kids can have a great time exploring and interacting with the materials in the tuff tray.
Creating an engaging sensory experience with Tuff Trays is a great way to encourage children to explore and learn. It allows them to use their senses to explore different materials, textures, and colours. It also encourages them to use their imagination and creativity to create their own unique experiences. With the right materials and guidance, Tuff Trays can be a great way to engage children in learning and exploration.
Most of the projects I share will hopefully utilise materials that you already have lying around the house, or will be able to adapt quite easily. I’ve added information and links to places which are still open for online orders at the time of writing.
We love learning through play and as well as tuff tray play we are a huge fan of smaller sensory bins which are ideal for indoor use and managing the mischief and mess. As a parent and a teacher the best way to learn is by absorbing information when you do not realise it is an arduous task.
