What is a Discovery Tray?

One of the most used resources at my setting are the Discovery Trays, which I make up for the children to explore. I have a range of resources within my setting, which the children use in their own way to play and learn. Some are purpose bought toys and games whereas others are everyday objects that I use to encourage different skills to aid learning and development. Every child is unique and each has their preferences when it comes to choosing the toys and resources they want to use. However, one resource that all the children enjoy are the Discovery Trays that I put together, but what is a Discovery Tray?

It is very simply a tray (or basket) that contains a few items - not necessarily toys, but items specific to a theme. For example, around the time of Chinese New Year I put together a basket filled with red & yellow coloured blocks, ribbons and toys. Each child approaches these Discovery Trays in different ways. Some will pick out bricks for example and build towers, others will line up or group items of the same colour, some will pour or spoon items into other containers.

These trays are known as open-ended activities because they can be played with in multiple ways - each child will approach them differently. They are ever so easy to put together, you can make one from items you have around them home. I prefer not to put too many items in the tray as I think the child can get distracted and confused with all the different textures, colours, shapes etc. There is no time limit as to how long a child should play or interact with the tray but if you want to fill a gap or 20 minutes they are an excellent resource. 

These are the items I like to include:

Something colourful - plastic blocks such as Duplo/Lego/Mega Blocks, scarves, ribbons, plastic cogs, bit of other toys such as the marble run (as seen in the Chinese New Year basket), small toys e.g. Happy Land figures, cars.

Textures - fabric, cardboard, wooden items such as blocks, smooth wooden shapes e.g. cones, cubes, spheres, metal objects e.g. spoons, egg cups, measuring cups, plastic pots.

Glass beads.

Plastic gems - available from craft suppliers.

Jumbo sequins - available from Baker Ross.

Wooden numbers.

Wooden letters.

Smooth stones.

Seashells.

Natural sponges.

Synthetic sponges / Bath roses (body puffs - available from chemists & supermarkets)

Nail brushes.

Napkin rings.

Curtain rings.

Nail brushes.

Spoons - different sizes & materials.

Small books specific to the theme of the tray e.g. a book on colours.

Interesting & unusual items.

Pieces of fabric e.g. corduroy, net, velvet.

Wooden or plastic 3D shapes.

Small pots with lids.

Pom-poms.

Feathers.

The list goes on. Have a look around Dunelm or Ikea for items. Items that look nice, make a lovely sound or have an interesting feel make good items to put on the tray. It's also nice to have a special tray to put the items on. I bought a shabby-chic style tray from eBay for about £8. It's common sense but never leave a small child unattended with a discovery tray and always check that what you are putting in the tray is safe and suitable for the child you are preparing it for. 

Here are some of the Discovery Trays I've put together recently - none of these items have been bought especially for the trays. I must remember to take photographs of the Discovery Trays I put together in the future. At the time of setting these up I did not think I would be writing any blog posts about my childminding service. 

Chinese New Year

Sharing a Shell

Colours

Number Recognition / Counting

Autumn

I hope you've found this post interesting and perhaps given you some ideas about what to put in a Discovery Tray. Check out my Instagram page to see what we get up to at Dotty Ducks Childcare. Click here for the link. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

@dottyduckschildcare

Published March 2018

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