alechunter Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I have been reading about Tuff Spots on the forum and realise it is a kind of messy area where the children can explore different messy items with resources to extend. Although we do all kinds of messy play we normally just have them in trays on tables etc. and I just wondered could someone explain to me exactly what the tuff spot is physically about. Such as what is the stuff in, where in the room do you have it and do the children access it independently, do you get a lot of mess etc. etc. Also wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the excellent info and help I have gained from reading on the forum. I have replied to a few posts but this is the first time I have attempted to start one so hopefully I have done it right, if not I'm sure someone will help me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Hi, we used a tuff spot in our preschoolo nearly everyday, purely because they are so adaptable! can put absolutely anything in them, from threading beads (stops them rolling off the table!) to gloop or even sand/water ...we put ours either on a table without chairs surrounding it so the kids could stand or sometimes we put it on the floor, although the younger ones would often stand in it!!! Very durable, can be put inside or left outside over night if the garden is secure and noone can take it! basically its like a huge tray with deep edges ...v.usefull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 tuff spott the link is for piture of one in use.. originally they were builders trays for mixing cement until the early years discovered the many uses and produced lots of stuff to do with them.. we bought ours from a local builders merchant. it is black but really cheap to buy. can be used on a table, or flor or I think they make stands for them now. messy, depends on contents, location and children. Can be, but also we find can be a good way to help contain small items like pegs for pegboards. lots of ideas all over the forum, try a search...( use the blue search forum post sausage at top right of page) Inge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alechunter Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 Thanks Inge Now I know what one looks like. I have read all the pages on tuff spots so now know what "lovely" things you all put in them. The tuff spot looks great but I imagine they aren't cheap. Have printed out picture to show my Manager, as she had never heard of them when I mentioned them to her. Will have to tell her how wonderful they are. I live in hope!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 they cost from 10.00 ( our building supplier sold one to us for this) to 15.00 for a blue one from educational suppliers... cheap enough to have several....will see if I can find a link to one from a supplier Inge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 We got ours from our Tesco vouchers last year Might get another this year, for outside play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Active world tray helps if you know the up to date term for it!! Inge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Woo Inge! I'm soooo impressed! This sounds so much better than 'tuff spot' which is probably the old builder's tray name! ................... and they're not as expensive as I thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiny Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 TTS are doing them from £13.95. They also do stands and frames Domes to keep the mess in (very expensive) Light ones All sorts of mats and mirroed ones!! You must invest in one they are so much fun!! And you don't need any of the other guff above to make it fun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 We have 4!!! One is permanently on the floor with sand. Then we have one on the table most days in our messy room with pasta, rice and such like. We have one in our quiet room with different none messy things-this week we have kaleidoscopes and colour paddles etc. We then have one which we bring out every now and again if the children want one for the floor in our quiet room. We don't have all the mats, just add bits of fabric or whatever is needed. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 goodness! I have seen these in my daughters school and thought they looked amazing but I expected them to be very expensive! I can't believe how reasonable they are! My only problem is where to store it in my house but I'm sure I can find a space somewhere in the garage! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Active world tray I think this is what you need to buy if you want to have a frame to stand it on - I have a sneaking suspicion that the frames might not work well with the tuff spots from builder's merchants. But I'm willing to be corrected if anyone knows better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alechunter Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Thanks a lot everyone for your excellent replies, pictures and links. They are not as expensive as I thought and I am showing my manager this morning. I can't wait to get some and add all the lovely ideas to put in them. Thanks for all your excellent help, yet again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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