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12th December 2024

Annual Christmas Tuff Tray Competition – Primary Sites

We are excited to share some of our annual Christmas Tuff Tray Competition entries. This event highlights the educational value of tuff tray activities, which play a vital role in fostering hands-on exploration, creativity, and critical thinking in children. Through thoughtfully curated play experiences, tuff trays provide opportunities for learners to develop problem-solving skills, encourage imaginative play, and support learning in a fun and engaging way. We love celebrating the wonderful learning that happens through play!

District class
Metro like to engage in sensory play, so we asked them to decorate our tree: Droppers to colour the tree green, glitter to sprinkle, pompoms and tweezers to decorate, bows to add to the presents. They had great fun.
Piccadilly class tuff tray
Winter Wonderland Tray-EYFS Links: Communication& Language: “Understand single words in context” Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Play with increasing confidence on their own and with other children. Physical Development: Explore different materials and tools. Literacy: Enjoy drawing freely (in the flour) Mathematics: Counting (counting pine cones/candy canes) Understanding the world: Explore natural materials (Pine cones) Expressive arts and design: Use their imagination as they consider what they can do with different materials (scooping, pouring, small world trains)
Opal class has been learning multiplication and counting by grouping numbers. Our first activity is using the numbers given and counting in 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s and by doing so, we decorate our number tree (Curriculum link: Rote counting in groups). Our next activity is throwing Baubles into a bucket to collect for Santa. This term, Jamie has been working on helping us with our throwing skills. Curriculum link for this activity: throws object into a container with one hand. Our third activity is just some fun to add – rolling out dough to make cookies for when Santa comes to visit.
Hammersmith Class has been working hard on their fine motor control, so we have created a tuff spot that will allow them to show off their skills and fully immerse themselves in the Winter Wonderland experience.
Topaz class’ tuff tray
Winter Wonderland at Upton Grange
“Do you want to build a snowman?” Our tuff tray is snow much fun! Let’s have a snowball of fun while we count! There is a flurry of sensory exploration, from light and dark to the chilling smell of peppermint. You can taste the raisin buttons, feel the snowy texture and engage all your senses in a winter wonderland of learning.

Outcomes First Group
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Outcomes First Group
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Meet The Team: Mitzi Smith

© Outcomes First Group 2026