Tuff trays: what are they, are they worth it and where to buy them

Tuff trays are brilliant as they can contain loose messy materials without everything ending up on the floor or around your house. Many schools and nurseries have tuff trays as they allow multiple children to stand around them and can be set up with small world scenes or sensory play materials that encourage collaborative play and entertain them for hours.

What can you use tuff trays for?

These large octagonal plastic trays provide a contained space where children can play with sensory materials that might cause a mess elsewhere. Water, sand, mud, paint or homemade concoctions like crushed-up cereal, shaving foam or cocoa powder, all provide wonderful environments for children to explore.

Sensory activities are fun for little ones and they're a great way to help them learn. "Sensory play benefits children by aiding the development of their brain and nervous system," explains child development expert Dr Amanda Gummer. "These activities help to build connections in the brain and improve cognitive skills such as problem-solving, decision-making and creativity."

There's no right time to start messy play. You might feel you want to dive in when your baby is young or wait until they reach toddler stage. Or, if you have an older child, there are still benefits to beginning sensory activities now. "I consider sensory play absolutely essential for children’s development, not just for the early years. It engages multiple senses, promotes emotional, social and physical growth and provides a fun and stimulating learning experience for all," says Dr Amanda. "Anything which stimulates the senses, encourages adventure, creativity and problem solving is really beneficial," she adds.

• Read our 50 tuff tray ideas for learning through play

Is it worth getting a tuff tray?

The beauty of a tuff tray is its size and durability. They're made of plastic, which means they are hardwearing and can take any materials you throw at them. They usually detach from their stand, making them simple to hose or wipe clean. The size and shape of the trays make them perfect for multiple children – they're often used in nurseries and classrooms for this reason. If you have the space, they're also great in the home. The high lip around the edge of the tray is designed to keep everything contained. If you're nervous about the messy element of sensory play, having a dedicated area can make it more appealing to try these activities with your child. A tuff tray can also provide a versatile sand pit or water table.

• Read our roundups of the best sand pits and water play tables for children

What colour tuff tray is best?

This depends on who you ask. Many tuff tray fans favour a black tray as the materials stand out against the dark colour and you can write with chalk directly on to the surface. One thing to note with a black tray is the plastic can become very hot in the sun. If you're keeping the tray indoors, you might be more drawn to a colour that blends into the scheme of your home.

What can I put in a tuff tray?

When it comes to filling a tuff tray, anything goes. Although, it goes without saying, the materials you put inside the tray need to be safe for the age of your child. Sand and water are popular choices and provide plenty of opportunities for building, pouring and measuring. You can also be creative with materials that excite different senses. "Sensory play engages your child's touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing in activities that encourage exploration and experimentation," says Dr Amanda. Try crushed-up cereal to provide a crunch, cocoa powder to create a soft environment with a chocolate scent, or have fun with gloopy textures like cornflour mixed with water.

You can also consider the personal preferences of your child and the objects and materials that are well suited to their age. "Babies love the feel of soft materials and different fabrics, whereas older children will enjoy getting stuck in with different sounds and pouring and messy toys," says Dr Amanda. And you can invent worlds based on your child's favourite toys and characters or the time of year. We've included inspiration for over 50 dinosaur, farmyard and seasonal play ideas for all ages of child here.