Tuff trays are well known to be large octagonal plastic trays that can be used for hundreds of activities including messy play, small world play, crafting, sand play, water play, and anything else you can think of! 

Tuff trays are the go-to receptacle for offering resources to learners, be they open-ended or themed, for learners to explore and investigate, allowing their imaginations to fly and developing important skills along the way. But… it doesn’t need to be a tuff tray, it can be a sheet, a table top, a tray or a box!

Tuff trays (or similar) promote curiosity and interest; creativity and initiation; hands on exploration; problem solving; following instructions/sequences; and the development of play skills and fine motor skills. Tuff trays also provide a great opportunity to promote communication and interaction skills, whilst also introducing or exploring a range of sensory mediums.