The mega tray , also known as the Tuff Spot or Tuff Tray, has a ten-year history.

It offers a flexible and creative space to play “indefinitely”.

The large size (1m diameter) and 8 sides encourage group play: there is cooperative play space for 6 children!

The raised sides are perfect for holding sensory materials, games and small world scenarios in one place. Used with babies, toddlers or older children, it offers new and quality learning opportunities thanks to its versatility.

The small world scenarios created inside the Tuff Tray are ideal for stimulating the imagination and play.

Add a themed playmat to create your own little world. With some props, kids love to recreate stories they’ve heard or come up with their own. Simply transfer your farmhouse to your Tuff Spot tray and add some natural materials such as logs, sticks and stones – they will serve to make your little world truly magical.

Dinosaur Park

This wonderful Jurassic Park themed dinosaur park by Clare Wilson has artificial grass, plastic plants, a walkway and an adorable handmade volcano. You can also use water pearls, peas and lentils and create a real sensory tray. All that remains is to add your dinosaurs !

The Jurassic park can also be made by including only mud and stones: children can then add their own dinosaurs or characters. Add water to create a sensory experience. Finally, why not build mountains and valleys with mud?

It is also possible to create scenarios with food. For example cereals and pasta (cooked or uncooked) can be a fantastic play resource for children (as long as they are well supervised). Mixing different types of cereals and pasta allows children to explore a wide range of textures with their hands.

Mirror Games

Children love to use “reflective” products such as pots, spoons, lids and aluminum materials: they immediately catch their attention. Mirror inserts provide a perfect base for experimenting and exploring. Add metal building blocks and pebbles to create a truly reflective world.

Tray With Balls

A simple and popular use of the tray is to fill it with colored balls . 8 month old babies love to sit in the Tuff Spot tray amidst all the colorful balls. The balls often end up all over the room, but small children can help refill the tray.

Schematic Game

Trays can be filled with resources that will support schematic learning.

Fill the tray with objects aligned with the rotation pattern such as bricks, balls, vehicles, objects with lids and spinning tops. Add building bricks and modeling material to allow children to create structures.

Sensory Game

Try adding sensory materials like soap, liquid mixes, or cornmeal. Children can mix and leave marks including letters and numbers.

Children love to touch jelly. They can do this from inside the tray or from the outside, depending on their level of confidence with the sensory materials. Hiding toys in jelly helps keep kids’ attention – include items to support the different themes. Try adding different textured materials for sensory play and hide the objects for the kids to find.

Also try using glitter! Add white snowflakes and confetti for a winter vibe.

Sand And Water

The trays are perfect for holding sand and water. Take them outside and use them on the ground or on height-adjustable stands for sensory play activities.

Fill the tray with sand and add shapes and letters: they will train fine motor skills and prescription.

Painting Games

The tray is ideal for using tempera. Filling the tray with a selection of different colors and letting the kids use it for foot painting is a great activity, just be sure to hold them by the hand so they don’t slip. Alternatively, using their hands, children can leave a mark in the paint and then print their designs using the paper.

Discovery

Fill the tray with a variety of theme-related items such as “sea creatures or forest animals” and encourage children to explore and identify what they can see.

Another great idea is to fill the tray with items found on the beach, in the woods or in the garden. Provide magnifying glasses for children to explore better. These findings can help shape language.

Motor Skills

Use the tray for targeted activities such as developing fine motor skills. Select different materials such as beads, pasta, giant buttons. Provide colorful shoelaces, ribbons, and strings, and fill the tray with items like pom poms and tweezers. Now start the fine motor activity.

Coding

Why not use the tray as a base for Bee-Bot or Blue-Bot? It will help contain them while the kids program them.

Planting Seeds

With the tray you can create exploration and cultivation activities. Choose the pots, watering can and fruit or legume to plant. You can explore the germination and wonder of nature.

Have a good fun!