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Jordan
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Besides thrift shops and garage sales, where did you find your favorite trays? What size do you find to be most useful? Have you used anything besides a tray to do the job?
Thanks! 
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Jordan
Cheerios & Fingerpaints
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ALmom
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We've used a bunch of fancy trays that were wedding gifts. They are particularly beautiful, but weren't being appreciated much stored away for fancy parties that never happen at our house. I use a few on regular Sacramental celebrations but the rest are now trays.
My mom is trying to dig up her old Monkey pod - those will make great trays, all natural wood. I have also used the wooden trays at office supplies.
I'm not sure about what to use for the larger pouring trays, etc.
My best source is still thrift stores and garage sales.
I also found some sturdy plastic ones with different colored handles at the dollar store one year. They came in a variety of shapes and colors.
Janet
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hobbitmom
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Oooh, Monkey Pod! Thanks for the idea, Janet! We have a whole set we were given for our wedding that we've never used once.
I wonder if Costco or a restaurant supply store would have lunch trays that would work for the larger pouring trays? Of course, they might be just as expensive as ordering one from a Montessori catalog... but then again, maybe not.
Amy
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Mackfam
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Jordan,
My favorite trays are the cheap wooden ones with handles from Michaels. It's just easier for the kids to pull an activity off the shelf with the handles because they know right where to grab. I looked and looked but couldn't find a link for you 
Montessori Services has some really nice ones that aren't too pricey - but I do love my thrift store finds!
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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I like the wood trays from AC Moore and Michael's, also.
I have two hammered aluminum trays "Rodney Kent" is the brand. I found one at an antique store for less than $3.00. They have handles, are very light, but also pretty. When we brought it home, my mil pulled out her wedding gifts of a tray and pitcher and other pieces of the same pattern of hammered aluminum. So now I have two trays.
There are such a variety, and although people collect it, the aluminum isn't expensive.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 11:23am | IP Logged
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Well, around here it is hard times, as I don't have a tray supply built up. For pouring activities, I have been using a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with a lip all around the sides). Not pretty- but the kids don't even notice (more excited about pouring) and it really contains the mess. I don't know that they could easily carry it to and from a shelf, though. But it works in a pinch.
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Meredith
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I also really love the plasic ones from Montessori Services that have the hand slots, they are very light weight and durable, great for cleaning up after wet pouring, etc!
We love the Michaels wood trays too for their *lightness*!
BLessings!
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Meredith
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Jordan
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| Posted: July 04 2007 at 7:10am | IP Logged
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Thanks so much, you guys! I really appreciate the ideas. I am learning with these online purchases not to put all of my eggs in one basket. I'd like to have trays that aren't all the same so I'm trying to pick one or two from here and there. I'd like to get some of the plastic ones with handles for some of our practical life activities. Maybe while I'm visiting in the States I can pick up some of the wooden ones from the craft stores. I also ordered a few wooden trays from Bruin's which has surprisingly reasonable prices on their trays. I think I paid $35 for three wooden trays. I don't have access to garage sales and I don't know of any thrift stores/antique stores around here but I'm hoping my mom can keep her eyes open for trays for me since she likes to go antiqueing.
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Jordan
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KackyK
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I got all of my plastic trays on ebay. It was some sort of restaurant supplier with overstocks. They were pretty cheap, I can't remember exactly, but I know they were cheaper than Montessori Services.
I do a lot of ebay shopping!
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KackyK
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Eleanor
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I just mentioned these on another thread, and thought it might be helpful to add the link here as well. They're 10-packs of 9" x 12" trays that were previously used by American Airlines to serve their in-flight meals. We've ordered some, and are very happy with them. They're not the easiest to carry (only a small lip, no handles), and they're a utilitarian grey color, but they're incredibly durable -- great for messy activities. And the price is the best part: only $3.50 for 10 trays.
Just a word of warning for compulsive shoppers... the store, American Science & Surplus, has lots of other items that can be used for Montessori materials: bottles and jars, craft supplies, lifelike rubber animals, etc. I had no problem getting my order up to the minimum, and then some! 
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AndreaG
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Eleanor- thanks for the link- what a cool site! I am ordering those trays for sure! I love the descriptions of all the items I was having too much fun browsing. 
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Andrea
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lapazfarm
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I admit I wasted a good bit of time there, too! What a kooky site!
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montessori_lori
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That site roped me in and I ended up placing an order. Totally kooky but fun! I was glad to see that one of their stores is in Chicago. I will try to stop by it if I'm ever in the area!
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Jordan
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Has anyone bought trays from Montessori n' Such? I am considering some of each of these and these. The second ones come in sets of four of all one color. Getting some of each would be an easy way to color code but then I'd be ordering a bunch without trying them first. I don't know how many trays I'm going to need. It would be nice to have extras.
About how many trays do you think you use at once and how many do you keep on hand?
BTW, Montessori Services only had the large plastic trays with the handles when I checked. I am thinking medium-sized trays at Montessori n' Such would save more space and would hold most of the activities.
Thanks.
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Jordan
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Mackfam
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Jordan,
I love both your picks! I will say that I have both types of trays you linked to and I find them both practical, but my littlest guy has an easier time if I provide the type tray with the little handle type hand cutouts or a substantial lip for him to grab with. The older two don't seem to mind what the structure of their tray is, but my 2yo definitely appreciates the design of the tray having a clear place for his little hands.
I love the set of 14 from Montessori n Such - I'm tempted!
I keep several trays on hand, lets see...I think I have about 10 of different sizes and materials in my closet, and I do use baskets for some things too! You will eventually want a few larger trays, you'd be amazed how much space you can take up setting out items on a collage tray, but I only have a couple of large type trays. I'm limited on space, so most of my trays are a medium size and seem to work out fine.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Meredith
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I also have both types you linked here Jordan and for the same reasons as well. I think a handful of each should get you started nicely, but keep in mind not everything has to be displayed on a tray previously set-up. Alot of my Practical Life avtivities have a storage location and I bring them out periodically for their *newness* and then set them up on a tray.
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Meredith
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SuzanneG
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Meredith wrote:
I think a handful of each should get you started nicely, but keep in mind not everything has to be displayed on a tray previously set-up. Alot of my Practical Life avtivities have a storage location and I bring them out periodically for their *newness* and then set them up on a tray.
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Me too. Some things I keep in storage and then get the tray set up when I need it. I have about 8 trays. Other things are always stored in those see-through plastic shoe boxes with lids (they can be stacked all the way to the ceiling)  and then I place it out and they work with it on the mat. So, I'm not "all trays" here.
ETA: Any Flat container can serve as a tray. I use my tupperware containers and save any flat boxes I find, sometimes decorating them. The dollar store sometimes has flat separating containers.
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Suzanne in ID
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Kristin
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Jordan, FWIW I like your idea of getting a variety of different types of trays. Do ask your mom to keep her eyes open for you! The unique beauty and appeal of the different kinds of trays you can find at garage sales and thrift stores adds a nice dimension to the Montessori environment.
As for my favorite trays, I'm particularly fond of the wooden ones (also from Michael's). If I had to choose just one type of tray, these would be the ones.  I'm glad to hear that you got some wooden trays, I think you and the children will really enjoy them!
IMO it's very useful to have a selection of trays in different sizes. As we all know, shelf space is prime real estate in the Montessori home environment! One way you can conserve space is by using smaller trays (when appropriate). I must admit, however, that I've found that the large/medium sized trays that are the most versatile and useful. In fact, I just bought two more large and medium trays (4 total) to add to the 4 we already have!!! 
Isn't it wonderful to be able to share ideas and get advice on all of these things?
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Kristin
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Meredith, I'm wondering if we should start a new thread for the Montessori rods storage solutions we've come up with here?!
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Bunch 'o Honey to my Honey Bunch and Mama to five - Noah 10y , Rose 8y , Dominic 2.5 y , Oliver 16m
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Meredith
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| Posted: July 15 2007 at 4:09pm | IP Logged
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Good idea Kristin, I'll do it!
Here it is: Storing the Red & Red/Blue Rods
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Meredith
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Favorite Trays
