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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What’s the deal with all the Tuff Trays?

36 replies

Marmite27 · 12/05/2020 20:13

They seem to be the latest ‘insta’ must have, popping up all over and go along with all the wanky Grimm’s wooden shite.

What’s wrong with a bit of plastic? (Which of course these trays are made out of, but they gloss over that part )

Wanky - YANBU
Not Wanky - YABU

OP posts:

FlibbertyGiblets · 12/05/2020 20:49

Early years settings have had them for years and years. They really are tuff trays. Sturdy, deepish, practical, what's not to like? They are everywhere at the mo because lots of folk have to be at home with the children.

Dishwashersaurous · 12/05/2020 20:51

I always wanted one as they are great for sensory play. If my kids were younger then in lockdown I would have bought one.

Instead we got a football goal

FudgeBrownie2019 · 12/05/2020 20:51

We've had one since DS14 was a year old. They're invincible and I loved them when I taught Reception.

YABU to label them wanky - they make life far easier.

june2007 · 12/05/2020 20:51

The size means three or four children can play at once. There is room to play with out children getting on top of eeach other. Ofcourse if you don,t have no need to rush and buy one a plastic tray is fine if you only have one or two children.

Di11y · 12/05/2020 20:53

I bought 1 for £20 because of lock down and 2yo and 6yo to entertain. we've had a lake with rocks and lighthouse, it's had ice and tools in it, soil and pots etc in it. contains the mess, at a suitable height or on the floor. Anything to give me 10 mins peace at the mo.

MillyMolly123 · 12/05/2020 21:09

I’m not really sure why it’s appropriate to call any child toy “wanky”

As long as a child enjoys playing with it... job done.

For the record, we have quite a few bits of Grimms. Not to be “wanky” or fashionable, or whatever - but because they encourage imaginative and problem solving play, are often appealing to varying age groups, and have provided years of fun for my children (unlike the more “mainstream” toys which get tossed aside after a few weeks). Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty of the mainstream stuff ourselves BUT after a while it all ends up going to charity. Not once have my children agreed to giving away the Grimms, so I’m our toy collection it stays and continues to be played with.

Jellybean100 · 12/05/2020 21:12

We use ours for messy play and also for things like play doh and even lego to keep it all in one place and I’m not finding mess for days afterwards.

FlamingoAndJohn · 12/05/2020 21:14

They’ve been used in early years settings for well over 10 years.
To start with they were builders trays and EYFS practitioners would buy them from B&Q.

It’s worth looking for before and after examples on instagram. You set someone beautiful up and the children trash it within 10 minutes.

Areyouhavingapoomum · 12/05/2020 21:16

I got one at start of lockdown for 1yo and 3yo, so I'm not constantly cleaning the floor/bathtub/washing up bowls, when we do messy play. Saves me finding lego and plastic dinosaurs with my bare feet too. I usually allow nursery and playgroup that joy, but with them being closed and all...

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 12/05/2020 21:16

We've had one for years. DD has autism and it's really useful for her. She plays with shaving foam, sand, coloured rice, water beads etc.

moobar · 12/05/2020 21:16

I got two last year from a builders yard for Dd first birthday.

One outside , one inside.

Both used daily. Outside one was meant to go under sand out and catch sand, it obviously doesn't.

She's only little but she loves it. Draws in it, paints in it, mess stays in one sort of place.

A friend did say she had tried to get one recently and the price had rocketed. I think I paid a tenner for two.

SushiGo · 12/05/2020 21:19

I would get one of my kids were younger! Contains the mess, easy to clean.

I used to use under bed storage boxes, but they're not as strong obviously.

gerbilgirl · 12/05/2020 21:20

We have 2, one outdoors and one indoors (not "proper" ones but cheaper ones from Amazon.

After trying to decide whether to get them or not for ages I am so glad we did. We use them for playdoh, Lego, rainbow rice, kinetic sand, farm animals, water, ice and all sorts.

They give a great area for the kids to play and help restrict the amount of mess and are easy to tidy away. Our kids love sensory play and it's such an easy way to set something up for them.

I know some people might not see the point but I wouldn't be without mine

OneMomentInHistory · 12/05/2020 21:23

They are really useful - a good size, accessible, keep mess somewhat contained. Setting up beautiful photos does sometimes (often) feel more aimed at instagram than playtime... and I have to laugh every time someone complains theirs isn't level etc - it's a tray for mixing cement!

SFCA · 12/05/2020 21:37

We have had one for years and years, we like it so much we have just got a smaller one too!

The adjustable stand means my son can access it in his standing frame, seat or on the floor. They are literally indestructible, can he used inside and out, can be used for anything and everything. My son can’t access most outdoor play equipment, we have used ours every day for years.

They are also very reasonable.

NYCDreaming · 12/05/2020 21:48

I love ours. It's great for things that usually get everywhere like sand, water, play dough, jigsaws etc and I've found that it's easier for them to help clean up after an activity as the mess is so contained and it's obvious when the clean up has finished.

There's nothing wrong with things that are popular on Instagram. They're probably popular because people see other parents using them and realise what a good idea they are!

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 21:53

and go along with all the wanky Grimm’s wooden shite.

Flythedragons · 12/05/2020 22:06

I love my tuff tray. My children have outgrown it now, so I use it when gardening, it’s so useful.

inwood · 12/05/2020 22:12

I've never heard of them and had to google! So it's basically a high sided tray?

sawyersfishbiscuits · 12/05/2020 22:19

I bought mine about 16-17 years ago. They were quite newish then. It was a tenner from Focus DIY. Now they're much pricier on early years websites. We use ours constantly at work. At home when mine were toddlers I bought a cat litter tray from Wilko and used that as a mini tuff spot. Ideal for 1 or 2 kids and a fraction of the price.

sawyersfishbiscuits · 12/05/2020 22:21

YABU Grimms stuff has so much play value. Aren't your kids into imaginative play?

LoisLittsLover · 12/05/2020 22:25

I use 1 in dd's bedroom to contain all of the tiny playmobil peices

runrabbitrunrunrun · 12/05/2020 22:29

Yabu and sound jealous.

Thefaceofboe · 12/05/2020 22:35

It’s a nursery thing and parents have clearly been inspired to do similar at home. What’s the problem?

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 22:36

Grimms stuff has so much play value

So do ...

cardboard boxes, duplo, playmobile, paper, loo roll holders, lego, brio, teddies, plastic blocks, cushions, zoo animals etc, etc, etc forever.

By the way, the very imaginative play I’ve ever seen came from a crappy plastic desk tidy we were about to bin.

Aren't your kids into imaginative play?

It’s this kind of wankery that we’re talking about

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