Tuff Tray Paper Inserts : Creative Play Ideas for Kids
Table of content
Tuff Tray Paper Inserts: Creative Play with Endless Possibilities
Looking for a fun and easy way to spark creativity with your kids? Meet the Tuff Tray Paper Inserts from Learning Through PLAYtrays®. Each sheet is precisely cut to fit our large Tuff Trays, ensuring a snug fit that keeps your play area neat and organized. With 30 loose sheets packaged in a convenient cardboard tube, storage is hassle-free and accessible. We’ve chosen brown craft paper , the perfect blank canvas for endless creative activities, from painting to sensory play.
Wait...what is a Tuff Tray or PLAYtray?
What is a Tuff Tray?
- A Tuff Tray, also known as a PLAYtray in the USA, is a large, shallow tray for multi-use purposes. It's typically used in educational settings for sensory play, art projects, and small world environments where children can explore and learn through hands-on-play.
What is a Tuff Tray Insert?
- A Tuff Tray insert is a pre-cut sheet or material designed to fit snugly within a Tuff Tray.
Tuff Tray or PLAYtray—Choose Your Favorite Term!
- Whether you call it a Tuff Tray or a PLAYtray, you're talking about the same great tray for creative and educational play.
Why Choose Tuff Tray Paper?
- Perfect Fit: Each sheet is cut precisely for large Tuff Trays from Learning Through PLAYtrays®.
- Convenient Storage: The 30 sheets come in a sturdy cardboard tube for easy organization.
- Durable and Versatile: The brown craft paper is ideal for painting, drawing, and other creative activities.
Activity Spotlight: Paint and Play with Cars
Turn your Tuff Tray Paper into an art station with a twist! This simple yet exciting activity uses cars as unconventional paintbrushes, making it fun and engaging for toddlers and kindergarten kids alike.
What You’ll Need:
- Tuff Tray Paper Inserts
- Large Tuff Tray by Learning Through PLAYtrays®
- Washable paint (pink and blue)
- Toy cars
How to Play:
- Lay a sheet of Tuff Tray Paper inside your large Tuff Tray.
- Add a few dollops of pink and blue paint onto the paper.
- Let your child drive the toy car through the paint, watching as the wheels mix the colors.
- Discover the magic of creating purple while exploring color mixing through play!
This activity encourages creativity, introduces the concept of color blending, and provides a hands-on sensory experience that children will love.
Sensory Play Benefits
Sensory play is a wonderful way for young children to explore and learn about the world around them using their senses. This type of play is especially valuable in the early years because it helps children develop their sense of touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing.
Instead of just using traditional tools like paintbrushes, kids can use everyday objects to make the experience even more exciting and educational. For instance, imagine replacing a standard paintbrush with toy cars, LEGO blocks, or even a flower. Kids can dip these items into paint and then roll, press, or brush them across paper to create unique textures and patterns. Using a toy car lets little ones zoom through paint and over paper, leaving behind tire tracks in different colors. LEGO blocks can be dipped in paint and used like stamps, making fun shapes and designs on the paper. Even a simple flower can become a paintbrush, with its petals or stem creating delicate, interesting marks that teach kids about nature and art at the same time.
All these activities work perfectly with a Tuff Tray paper insert. The tray gives kids a defined space to work in, encouraging them to experiment freely while keeping everything tidy
Activity Spotlight: Stomp and Paint with Dinosaurs
Turn your Tuff Tray Paper Inserts into a prehistoric art adventure! This fun and engaging activity combines painting with dinosaurs, making it perfect for little ones who love both art and imaginative play.
This activity is not only exciting but also introduces children to cause-and-effect play as they see how the dinosaur’s feet leave different marks depending on size and texture.
The Joy of an Unconventional Paintbrush
Using a paintbrush requires fine motor skills that can be challenging for toddlers to master. That’s where a car comes in as the perfect alternative! The toy car’s wheels are easier for little hands to grasp and control, making it an excellent introduction to painting.
With the Tuff Tray Paper as the backdrop, this activity eliminates the worry of spills and mess, keeping playtime stress-free for parents and educators. It’s a fantastic way to combine fun and learning while fostering motor skills, creativity, and sensory exploration.
Where to Buy a Tuff Tray in the USA?
If you’re looking for a Tuff Tray in the USA, check out Learning Through PLAYtrays® ! We’ve redesigned the classic UK Tuff Tray to create our own version, the PLAYtray , with a sensory-textured surface for better play and safety.
Our trays are durable, easy to use, and perfect for sensory play at home, in classrooms, or at playgroups. Order directly from us and bring a high-quality Tuff Tray to your play space!
What to Do With the Paper Afterwards
After the kids are done painting or drawing:
- Decorate With It: Hang the art pieces on walls or on a classroom bulletin board. This shows off the kids' artwork and makes them proud of what they’ve created.
- Make Bulletin Boards: Teachers can use the whole sheets or cut pieces to make colorful and engaging bulletin board displays.
Creative Reuse Ideas
Don’t throw away the paper when the kids are finished! Here are some neat ways to reuse it:
- Make a Sensory Bin: Shred the used paper and use it as a base for a sensory bin. Mix it with other materials like small toys or beads for a fun sensory activity.
- Cut and Create: Give the kids scissors to cut shapes out of the paper. They can use these shapes to make new art projects, like collages or scene boards.
Download our FREE Guide for Sensory Play ideas for your TUFF Tray.
Explore More with Tuff Tray Mats
Not interested in the Tuff Tray Paper Inserts ? No problem! Check out the 2025 Tuff Tray PLAY Mats by Learning Through PLAYtrays®. These double-sided mats are designed with two unique sensory textures—soft and fuzzy on one side, smooth and shiny on the other—adding endless possibilities for play. Upgrade your Tuff Tray experience with our premium PLAY Mats today!