Spring Tuff Tray Play
Along with his basket of wooden eggs and Spot’s First Easter book, Leo was given this Spring themed tuff tray to play with over the weekend. Making this Spring tuff tray was so much fun.
Leo is 8 months so sensory rice isn’t something he can safely play with yet and many other loose parts found in tuff tray scenes are off the table (or tuff tray!) until he’s a bit older. Still I love trying out the different themed sensory play ideas and I was excited to see what I could create in the tuff tray for Leo to safely explore while he’s still a baby.
This was nice and simple to make.
To make this Spring scene tray I used:
Blue felt squares and tissue paper to make the water
Craft grass
Cocoa powder and cornflour mixed with water for the mud
Cardboard tubes, felt and washable paints for the trees, tulips, daffodils and chick
I added various wooden animals from Leo’s toys that fit with the theme
I also added the DIY ribbon teethers I made a few weeks back and decided to make a couple of spring themed sensory bottles as Leo loves the sensory bottles at baby yoga.
I’m amazed (and relieved!) at how quick and easy dyed rice is to make.
To dye the rice:
Pour 100g rice (or adjust to suit your needs)
Add 1-2 tsp of lemon juice or vinegar - I used lemon
Add a fair few drops of food dye - use more for a stronger colour
Pop it all in a tuppaware box with the lid on and shake for a good minute or so until the colour reaches all the grains
Line a tray with tin foil or baking paper and lay the rice across it to dry
A few hours later and voila! You’ve got your sensory rice all ready to use.
To make the spring sensory bottle/tube:
A hard plastic bottle/tube (I got some in bulk so I can make various sensory bottles over the next couple of years) You can also recycle a bottle if you have one at home.
Pour in green rice about two thirds of the way
Add your themed details - I added pressed flowers, craft daisies and little bees.
Once you’re sure you’ve added everything you want in there, seal the lid using super glue on the inside to finish. (Always make this well away from baby!!)
It goes without saying that you should always supervise your baby while playing.
We took the tray outside again today and Leo got even messier this time, eventually tipping the whole thing over. 😂
