3 Sensory Play Ideas: What Will You Put in Your TUFF Tray Today?
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When we say "TUFF Tray," we don’t just mean tough like superhero-strong (though ours totally are). TUFF also stands for something truly magical in early learning...at least that's how we feel about it. Let’s break it down with our TUFF Poem by us at Learning Through PLAYtrays!
Learning Through PLAYtrays....
At Learning Through PLAYtrays, nothing makes us happier than seeing a TUFF Tray full of possibilities. Why? Because it's NOT just a tray! Here are 3 of our favorite FUN activities that your little ones (and YOU) will love.
1. Kinectic Sand for Pretend Play
Kinetic sand is a mesmerizing mix of soft, moldable magic. It sticks to itself but not your hands—making it perfect for sensory exploration without the extra usual sand mess.
You can buy it in stores... or make your own!
👉 Here's how:
2 cups of fine sand
1 tbsp of corn starch
1 tsp of dish soap
A little water (just enough to make it moldable)
Mix it all together in your TUFF Tray!
We added an ice cream scoop and cones for pretend-play fun. Suddenly, your tray becomes a mini ice cream shop!
Benefits:
✅ Strengthens fine motor skills
✅ Encourages imaginative role play
✅ Reusable and calming = hours of fun
2. Easter Bunny Egg Hunt in the Tuff Tray
DIY sensory rice is a classic — and for good reason. It’s colorful, calming, and endlessly reusable.
How to make pink rice:
1 cup uncooked rice
A few drops of pink food coloring
1 tsp of white vinegar
Shake it all in a zip-top bag
Spread to dry on a tray or paper towel
Once dry, shape the rice into a bunny in your TUFF Tray. Hide printable eggs underneath and invite your little ones on a bunny egg hunt!
👉 Download your FREE Egg Hunt printables here or visit us on TPT!
Why we love it:
✅ Boosts sensory awareness
✅ Builds focus + attention to detail
✅ Great for seasonal and thematic play
And yes — the rice is reusable!
3. OOBLECK for Sensory PLAY
WARNING: This one is extremely messy ... but every child should experience oobleck at least once! (Trust us... you’ll love it too.)
What’s oobleck? A fascinating substance made from cornflour and water. It acts like a solid when you press it—and a liquid when you let it flow. It’s science, magic, and sensory delight all in one.
To make your pretend spring omelette:
Mix 2 parts cornflour to 1 part water
Add yellow food coloring
Stir until the texture is gloopy and strange
Add toy eggs for pretend cooking! (ours look too real!!)
Why it’s worth the mess:
✅ Teaches basic science through play
✅ Builds hand strength + sensory courage
✅ Inspires kitchen-themed pretend play
Just be prepared… this is one you’ll want to keep outside or in your TUFF Tray for easy cleanup!
💡 What Do These 3 Activities Have in Common?
They’re screen-free — and that matters more than ever.
Screens can limit fine motor development and attention spans. But with a TUFF Tray and the right activity, your child is:
🎨 Creating
🧠 Exploring
👋 Moving
🧘♀️ Calming their nervous system
All while having fun you can feel good about.
Why TUFF Trays Make It Easy
The best part? TUFF Trays keep the mess contained .
No glitter in the carpet. No rice in your shoes. Everything stays in the tray. (Well... mostly 😄)
That’s why educators and parents trust Learning Through PLAYtrays.
We design beautiful, durable, and practical trays for play that inspires imagination—and keeps cleanup stress-free.
When Do I Plan Sensory Play?
Here’s the truth: Sensory play doesn’t need to be scheduled — because sensory PLAY is every day! You don’t need fancy materials or a perfect setup. Sometimes, all it takes is looking out the window.
✨ Hear the birds chirping,
✨ Smell the fresh morning air,
✨ See the light dancing through the trees,
✨ Touch the grass under your feet,
✨ Feel the wind on your skin.
Whether it’s in a TUFF Tray or in your backyard, sensory play is simply about pausing to notice the world around you — and inviting your child to explore it with all five senses. It’s easy, it’s powerful, and it turns even the simplest moments into magic.
So... What Will You Put in Your TUFF Tray Today?
Whether it’s scooping sand, digging through rice, or squishing oobleck, each sensory moment is shaping your child’s world. We’d love to see what you put in your tray for play!
📸 Tag us FB @LearningThroughPLAYtrays and IG @learning_through_playtrays. You can always send an email to Kamilla@playtraylearning.com - we love getting inspired too!
✨ Need More Ideas?
Don’t worry — we’ve got a whole year’s worth of inspiration ready for you!
👉 Download your FREE resource “52 Weeks of PLAYtrays” with your tray purchase — or click here to find it and learn more .
