TTS - PROMOTION

Michelle Reid, early years content editor at TTS and qualified teacher, explores the magic of Tuff Trays, getting imaginative outdoors, and how they can enhance early years learning environments

As dedicated practitioners, we know that every day is an opportunity to spark creativity and engagement in our children. The Tuff Tray, which started its life as a builder’s mixing tray, has become a favourite in many early years settings, offering endless possibilities for exploration and fun. 

The Tuff Tray’s journey from construction sites to settings shows just how adaptable it is. Early years educators quickly recognised its potential for creating engaging play areas without the mess spilling everywhere! The Tuff Tray allows children to explore freely while keeping the rest of the learning environment tidy for other types of learning. After all, we love to see children dive into their sensory experiences, but we’d prefer to keep the shaving foam away from the reading corner wherever possible!

Tuff Trays are perfect for outdoor play. They can handle everything from sunny days to light rain, making them great for activities involving water, sand, soil, or even a little mud – who doesn’t love getting a bit messy?

One of the best things about Tuff Trays is how they make messy play manageable. They help minimise clean-up time and keep everything contained. With the focus on children’s engagement and learning, we can all relax a little more and concentrate on what is important.

Another fantastic feature of the Tuff Tray is the option to pop it on an adjustable stand. For our youngest learners, it can be placed on the floor for easy access. As children grow, the tray can be raised to different heights using a TTS Tuff Tray stand, making it accessible for everyone, including those using wheelchairs (Tuff Tray stand developed for wheelchairs). It’s all about making play inclusive and enjoyable for every child!

Let’s be mindful of the risk of relying too much on Tuff Trays. They’re great, but they shouldn’t replace varied learning experiences. Sometimes, Tuff Trays can unintentionally be used like a worksheet, limiting the scope for active, self-directed play. We’ve all been there! It’s a good reminder to reflect on how we use these trays and ensure they’re enhancing, not restricting, our children’s play.