Tuff Trays, also known as Tuff Spots, are just brilliant. We've previously written about why and where best to get them. In this piece we want to explore more Tuff Tray ideas that will keep the children busy for hours. With the help of the brilliant Facebook Tuff Tray ideas group, here are some of our favourites.
1. Bring a book to life
This one from Sue Baxter is shows how she has been bringing the book 'Rosie's Walk' to life for her children. The great thing about this is that once the set up is done, you can use it time and time again.
How to do it:
- Create cut outs of the main story characters.
- Assign numbers to them and use them as cues as you read through the story
- You can get other surrounding items like the Egg Pen at a charity shop or car boot sale.
2. A day by the 'beach'
Lets face it, the weather is oh so rarely beach ready, but that doesn't have to stop you recreating that environment. This tuff spot idea by Amy Tyrer is particularly good for toddlers and learning about different textures.
How to do it:
- Gather different textures around the home that can bring 'the beach' to life.
- Think pasta shells, cereals, rice and grains. If you've got any that are past their sell by date, even better!
- Get other 'beach ready' pieces like real shells, star boys, beach balls etc, and bring those into the tuff tray mix.
3. Car Park
Do your children have a favourite toy car? Then this tuff tray idea is about to take that love to the next level. Created by Renata Stipanovic and ready in minutes, this one can be done just as well inside the home or outside on a sunnier day.
How to do it:
- Get some chalk or non permanent marker and draw an outline of a car park.
- Make sure to create enough car parking 'spaces,' and larger spaces for any larger trucks, fire engines and tractors.
- For the traffic lights, you can use any spares from a train track set or pick up very cheaply on Amazon.
- For the trees, use branches that you can pin down with white / blu tac.
4. Find x in the straw field
What could you possibly do with loads and loads of straw...create the ultimate hide and seek ofcourse! This 'needle in a haystack' themed idea from Leanne Guest is great for getting the kids to explore a range of different textures and toys. Note - the straw probably WILL go everywhere, so this one is best done outside.
How to do it:
- First get some largish stones, roughly 2 inches in size.
- Use the stones to make a few walls in the tuff tray.
- Once you're happy with your straw 'zones' put the straw equally across them. If you have any different coloured straw all the better.
- Place the things you want the kids to find all around, and let the games begin!
5. An Egggcellent adventure
This one by Lydia Lyth doesn't have to just be for eggs, but if you have a few toy egg shells around, then you can gather them all in one place while also keeping your kids entertained with this one.
How to do it:
- This one is super easy.
- Essentially, gather all the different bits and bobs of toys and place it into some kind of order on the tuff spot.
- And let the kids do the rest in creating a new super toy!
6. Chocolate Free Egg
A chocolate FREE egg you say? Use rainbow drops and arrange them into the shape of a big egg, alongside your egg and spoon race items. Thanks to Susan Flanagan for this one.
How to do it:
- You can buy your raindrops from a local supermarket, and the scoops from the supermarket, or even poundshop.
- Use a large egg shaped bowl or template to place all the drops into, and lift so you're left with a brilliant giant egg collage.
- Place your scoops around the tray, and get ready for utter carnage!
7. Land and Sea
Similar to the earlier 'beach' set up, this tuff tray idea uses blue cellophane for 'the sea.'
How to do it:
- Get the cellophane 'sea' on first, aiming to cover 50% of the tuff tray surface.
- Curl the cellophane slightly at the edge so it creates a wall against the sand.
- Place the same (or other sand like textures) into the other half of the tuff tray, get creative with the beach toys on show!
8. Frog & Turtle
This one by Sebina Carter looks simple, but takes a little planning. It's ideal if your child is at an age where they love the explore animals and nature.
How to do it:
- You'll need a couple of larger stones to represent the frog's land / resting space, as well as some twigs and lily-pad for the frog and turtle's other environments.
- Carefully place smaller stones and slabs so as to make a path for both to walk along, talk and play.
- Place a little water in the tuff spot to bring that living environment to life.
9. Hat Trying Day
Is your child at that age where they just want to try EVERYTHING on? Well, if you've got yourself a little fashionista then this tuff tray idea will be perfect. It doesn't just work with hats, but pretty much anything they are obsessed about trying different versions of.
How to do it:
- Gather up a good collection of hats, sunglasses, lipsticks, necklaces - the things they LOVE to play with.
- Place a mirror reflecting mat onto the tuff tray.
- Arrange a mirror in the middle, and put all the collections in their respective places, and let the fun begin!
10. Traffic Jam
An extension to the earlier 'Car Park' tuff tray idea, this one by Tanya Camilleri uses duck tape (for the road) , and chalk (for the surroundings).
How to do it:
- Gather up a good collection of hats, sunglasses, lipsticks, necklaces - the things they LOVE to play with.
- Place a mirror reflecting mat onto the tuff tray.
- Arrange a mirror in the middle, and put all the collections in their respective places, and let the fun begin!
There are literally endless possibilities with a tuff tray, and you can read more details of what to look for and how to buy them in our Parents Guide to Tuff Trays. Our advice is just get creating. The kids will absolutely love it!
