Sand trays, tuff trays...
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    Default Sand trays, tuff trays...

    What sand/water/messy play trays do you all have?

    Ikea Flisat? Does anyone have one of these? Any feedback?

    I don't want a normal size tuff tray but am thinking of getting the mini one with stand off Amazon. Anyone got any feedback on these?

    I do like the look of the deep mini tuff tray and wooden stand in the cosy catalogue, but it's a bit pricey.

    I got rid of my old sand and water tray when I took my break from childminding and so I need to reinvest, especially as the weather will improve soon...

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    I like the look of the flissart table .... but I think the wood will get damaged! If they are ever in stock when I'm either in IKEA or doing an online order I will be very tempted!

    I have the large tuff tray and stand in the garden. And a separate water tray.

    Inside I have a triangular water tray with lid that we use as a table and also a couple of large potting???? trays ( 22 inches square with sides about 2 inches high .... only a few £ from garden centre) that fit perfectly on top of an IKEA lack table, although they can get pushed off! DH is talking about making me a stand for them. For use inside or out! I also have a few large ( 80 x 35 cm ish ) rectangular potting trays that we use outside for all sorts of play, just on the ground, along with a couple of 'under the bed' plastic storage boxes! These all make super paddling pools!

    I was just looking on argos website and they have a couple of 'plum' water/ sand trays that look really good... one is just a single 'bowl' and the other is 2 that look like they would stack for storage. They have a triangular water table with lid (feber? £50) which looks good too!

    I used to have a deep sandpit on legs ( and one on the ground ) but I found they didn't really get used much, whereas having sand in the tuff tray gets used for sandcastles/ diggers/dinos/ small world/ potions/ cooking etc as big enough for several children to play together. And shallow enough for the sand to dry in warm weather!
    Last edited by loocyloo; 21-02-2021 at 04:01 PM.

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    I’ve got this one in white. It’s one of my most used resources. It’s small enough to use indoors but I can easily take it outside as well. I have got a full sized one outside, but sometimes I just want the smaller one set up. I chose white as I wanted a light, neutral background for activities, but it has got a few marks on it now so if I was to chose again, I’d probably get another colour. I am very tempted by the blue! The only issue with it is that it doesn’t fold and the top is attached, but then I leave it up all the time anyway or put it outside so it’s not a real problem. Definitely worth the money.

    [Children's Round Utility Mixing Play Tray Table - SKY BLUE (60cm Dia) with Height Adjustable Stand.: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

    I’ve just checked and I paid £32.99 for mine. I still think it’s worth getting at the higher price.
    Last edited by Mouse; 21-02-2021 at 04:18 PM.

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    In the garden I’ve also got a couple of the nursery type sand and water tables. They’re not huge, but 4 children can easily get round each one. I have one for sand and one for water.

    HE405203 - Rockface Table - Clear | Hope Education

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
    I’ve got this one in white. It’s one of my most used resources. It’s small enough to use indoors but I can easily take it outside as well. I have got a full sized one outside, but sometimes I just want the smaller one set up. I chose white as I wanted a light, neutral background for activities, but it has got a few marks on it now so if I was to chose again, I’d probably get another colour. I am very tempted by the blue! The only issue with it is that it doesn’t fold and the top is attached, but then I leave it up all the time anyway or put it outside so it’s not a real problem. Definitely worth the money.

    [Children's Round Utility Mixing Play Tray Table - SKY BLUE (60cm Dia) with Height Adjustable Stand.: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

    I’ve just checked and I paid £32.99 for mine. I still think it’s worth getting at the higher price.
    That's the one I'm looking at Mouse. I didn't realise the tray was attached though.

    Is it deep enough or do you ever wish it was deeper?

    How old would the children be, roughly, to use it comfortably? It says from 36 months - is it too tall for two year olds?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Maza View Post
    That's the one I'm looking at Mouse. I didn't realise the tray was attached though.

    Is it deep enough or do you ever wish it was deeper?

    How old would the children be, roughly, to use it comfortably? It says from 36 months - is it too tall for two year olds?
    I didn’t realise the tray was attached until I got it. It could be unscrewed easily enough but I’ve never bothered.

    It’s been deep enough for everything I’ve used it for. I wouldn’t use it for water play, but it’s been good for shaving foam, kinetic sand, pasta, rice etc. It’s deep enough for a layer of everything but it wouldn’t be deep enough to put enough sand to dig in.

    The height is easy to adjust and I’ve used it for children from 18 months to 3 and a half years. It’s certainly not too tall for 3 year olds.

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    I was just looking on argos website and they have a couple of 'plum' water/ sand trays that look really good... one is just a single 'bowl' and the other is 2 that look like they would stack for storage. They have a triangular water table with lid (feber? £50) which looks good too!
    I have a Plum water and sand tray, the water tray does fit under the sand tray which is handy for storage but I will say that the sand tray has a very flimsy cotton liner that sits in the tray which isn't that great at keeping the sand in. I have used the sand tray with fake grass over winter as a small world land as we don't have any sand at the moment. I bring the water tray inside and use that for messy indoor play foam/pasta etc so they quite versatile.

    I also have a tuff tray which doesn't get used very often as I don't have a stand, I think a stand will be my next purchase but they all seem quite expensive.
    Pixie Dust

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pixie dust View Post

    I also have a tuff tray which doesn't get used very often as I don't have a stand, I think a stand will be my next purchase but they all seem quite expensive.
    I barely used my tuff tray until i got a stand, and now it is used all the time, all year round! I did/do have a cover for it, but it doesn't keep things dry underneath so i don't really use it!

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    That tray and stand looks really good mouse but, it’s not deep enough for indoor water play and it can’t be put away at the end of the day? Doesn’t fold ?

    I need a new one for indoors was looking at the cosy one mini tuff tray but it is expensive but you can put it away flat?

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    I've ordered it Mouse.

    We were just doing playdough on the little table and the rolling pin kept rolling off the table, so I ordered it. It arrives next week. Can't wait.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonfly View Post
    That tray and stand looks really good mouse but, it’s not deep enough for indoor water play and it can’t be put away at the end of the day? Doesn’t fold ?

    I need a new one for indoors was looking at the cosy one mini tuff tray but it is expensive but you can put it away flat?
    Personally, I wouldn't use it for water play indoors. It's only about 1 inch deep so I think most of the water would end up on the floor! It's perfect though for things that aren't going to make a mess if they spill over the side.

    For water play I bring my water table indoors. It's deep and the stand folds away. Over the years I've also used Ikea under bed boxes, lakeland oven shelf soaking trays ( Large Oven Rack & Grill Soaking & Cleaning Tray | Lakeland) and potting trays, but I've found if they're not attached to a stand there's a big chance they're going to slip off the table!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Maza View Post
    I've ordered it Mouse.

    We were just doing playdough on the little table and the rolling pin kept rolling off the table, so I ordered it. It arrives next week. Can't wait.
    I hope you like it as much as I do!

    We've got beads and threading stuff on it today. It's great for keeping everything together and stop it rolling all over the floor!

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    Sounds really good Maza . As I’ve limited space, I need something that can be used for everything like my garden tuff tray ( with stand) water as well as dry play . Have children’s table and chairs but my play tub is coming to its end of its life now.

    I think the cosy stand slots together and can be used for a mini tuff tray or round deeper tray. Can’t make up my mind mini tuff or deeper tray. Plus it’s about £60+ quite a lot at the moment.

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    Dragonfly I was very tempted by the cosy one because of the depth. It was just the price that put me off. It does look lovely.

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    I’m still thinking about it Maza. It is a lot of money.

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    I've just had this one delivered

    G1782337 - Sand and Water Clear Tray and Stand | GLS Educational Supplies

    With a discount code it was £55. Not cheap, but I think a good price and I'll sell one of my other water tables which should cover the cost. It's a good size - small enough to have indoors, but big enough to have a few children playing at the same time. The stand folds easily and the tray isn't too big to store away.

    I'm planning on using it for wet and dry messy play. So water, foam, pasta, rice, straw, soil etc. It's deep enough that I don't think we'll get too much on the floor! I'll keep using my other one for play scenes and resources that need a rimmed table (beads etc).

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    That looks great mouse. The shelf underneath it will be really handy too.

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    That looks really nice Mouse.


    Good luck keeping the mess contained the only way I've found to contain mess is not to do it!!!!

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    Love that answer loocyloo,sort of thing I say. although I do lots of messy play.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonfly View Post
    Love that answer loocyloo,sort of thing I say. although I do lots of messy play.
    I do too ... I have vaguely considered those incubator type boxes with arm holes with gloves attached .... but I bet you'd still get mess everywhere!

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