Mermaid Tuff Tray

Summer Ocean Theme TUFF Trays Ideas for Sensory PLAY

Written by: Learning Through PLAYtrays

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Time to read 4 min

SUMMER  TUFF TRAYS

Welcome to our playful summer series, "Learning Through PLAYtrays: Under the Sea Adventures!" If your little one loves Disney’s "The Little Mermaid," they're going to have a blast with our magical undersea-themed activities. This isn't just any playtime—it's a chance to learn and have fun with a friendly mermaid guiding the way!


If You Give Our Mermaid a PLAYtray...

  • she will show you the wonders inside seashells and how they feel and sound.

  • she'll sail across the ocean on a fish made of flowers and dreams.

  • she'll make bubbles that can catch your wishes and waves.

  • she’ll find hidden gold treasures just like old pirates.

  • she will race boats made from forest gifts like sticks and leaves.

  • she’ll teach the language of the sea with letters on seashells.

Want to know how our MERMAID learns through PLAY? Let's see how! 


IF YOUR GIVE OUR MERMAID A TUFF TRAY / PLAYTRAY...

Seashells and Water Exploration

Story: If you give our mermaid a PLAYtray, she will show you the wonders inside seashells and how they feel and sound.

What to Do: Set up a tray with different seashells and a bit of water. Let your child explore these shells with all their senses.

Why It’s Great: It's a fun way for kids to learn about seashells and water and how different things feel and interact.


Nature Fish Craft

Story: If you give our mermaid a PLAYtray, she'll sail across the ocean on a fish made of flowers and dreams.

What to Do: Cut out a fish shape from cardboard. Then, they can stick flowers or colorful leaves on it to make it bright and beautiful.

Why It’s Great: This craft lets kids be creative and practice using their hands while they learn about nature.


Sink or Float Boats

Story: If you give our mermaid a PLAYtray, she will race boats made from forest gifts like sticks and leaves.

What to Do: Build tiny boats from corks, sticks, and leaves, then race them in a tray of water.

Why It’s Great: Kids will learn about floating and sinking while having a fun boat race.



Pirate's Gold Treasure

Story: If you give our mermaid a PLAYtray, she’ll find hidden gold treasures just like old pirates.

What to Do: Paint small rocks gold and hide them in the sand. Let your kids dig around to find these hidden treasures.

Why It’s Great: This game is perfect for little adventurers and helps them improve their hand skills as they dig for gold.



ABC Seashells

Story: If you give our mermaid a PLAYtray, she’ll teach the language of the sea with letters on seashells.

What to Do: Write letters on seashells and bury them in sand. Kids can find these shells and use them to spell words or practice writing letters in the sand.

Why It’s Great: This helps with learning letters and words, using real shells to make it even more exciting.


Magic Sticky Bubbles
 
Story: If you give our mermaid a PLAYtray, she'll make bubbles that can catch your wishes and dreams.

What to Do: This fun activity involves making a special bubble mix that lets bubbles stick together. Kids will love seeing how many bubbles they can clump together!

Why It’s Great: This is a cool way for kids to learn about how bubbles work and why they stick together. Perfect for STEM play! 


Where to find a TUFF Tray in the USA?

TUFF trays are great for setting sensory play activities. They're tough (just like their name!), easy to clean, and now available in the USA through Learning Through PLAYtrays on AMAZON!

So, get ready to turn your play area into a magical undersea world this summer. With crafts, boat races, and treasure hunts, each day will be a new adventure. Let’s make this summer unforgettable with our playful mermaid and these super fun activities!

TUFF trays are offer endless possibilities for themed learning and play. Whether you're planning activities for the classroom or for fun at home, these trays can be adapted to any theme you can imagine, making them an essential tool for engaging young minds creatively.


  • Endless Themes: With TUFF trays, the possibilities are limitless. You can transform these trays into any theme, from deep-sea adventures to jungle explorations, or even a trip through the solar system.
  • Monthly and Seasonal Themes: Plan your activities by the month or season. For example, use a mermaid theme for summer, a fall harvest theme in autumn, or a snowy wonderland during winter.
  • Educational and Fun: Each theme can be both educational and entertaining, making learning fun and interactive. For example, our mermaid series teaches about marine life and environmental awareness while engaging children with colorful, hands-on activities.

It's not Just a Tray

→ Each tray includes FREE digital access to a comprehensive early years curriculum, "52 Weeks of PLAYtrays," offering a structured, fun learning journey all year round.

→ Learn More

"We believe that learning through PLAY is the most effective way. When learning is FUN, it really STICKS!"

-Learning Through PLAYtrays

Have a Fun Summer! 

TUFF trays are ideal for sensory play, as our mermaid adventures have wonderfully demonstrated! They offer a platform for children to explore and learn through hands-on activities. As you plan any ocean-themed activity, keep these three tips in mind:

Supervision with Water: If your ocean-themed activity includes water, like creating mini oceans or boat races, always supervise the children closely to ensure that play remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Open-Ended Play: Encourage activities that don't have a fixed outcome to keep children engaged longer. Open-ended play allows kids to use their imagination, make their own decisions, and keep exploring different possibilities.

Incorporate Learning Goals: While keeping it fun, choose educational objectives, like teaching about marine life, the importance of ocean conservation, or basic physics principles like floating and sinking.

The Author

Ms. K, the founder of Learning Through PLAYtrays, brings over 15 years of experience as an educator to her Family company. Her deep understanding of the benefits of learning through play shaped the philosophy behind the brand name. Got a question? Contact us at info@playtraylearning.com

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