What's New?

Coming soon, new environmental resources - We’re excited to be developing some fantastic new resources for parents and teachers to use to raise awareness of environmental issues, address children’s questions and concerns and inspire positive environmental choices and actions. With many children and adults worried about the future and feeling disconnected and dis-empowered, the emphasis is on raising awareness so that children and families can take positive steps to save the our planet and its richly diverse habitats and species for future generations to enjoy.

Environmental, sustainability and ethical issues have always been at the heart of our British-based company and this is more important than ever this Christmas. We think it's important to be able to trust in the resources that you buy, so as well as being sure that they are going to please the lucky recipient's, we think you'll be impressed by their quality, versatility, play and learning value. Author and founder Sue Gascoyne is proud to support positive climate action by hand-selecting quality resources that are tried and tested and built to last so that our toys and resources are not just for Christmas.

 Together we can work together to make a difference to our precious world.

 With an understanding about the environment and our impacts more important than ever, we think you'll like our new resources, coming soon,  focusing on issues like deforestation, ocean plastics, transport, waste and biodiversity. With their appeal for children across the ages and spotlight on key environmental and sustainability issues are sure to become ‘must have’ resources this Christmas and in 2022.

Outdoor therapy space - Check out our amazing outdoor therapy space (more details and photos below) a perfect environment for helping children self-regulate, develop their resilience, explore change and express difficult feelings.

Messy Play webinar - Sue is very excited to be able to share some nuggets of information, tips and approaches to maximising the benefits of messy play in this webinar produced by Spark. She explains: "My passion for understanding the value and potential of children’s material encounters, or Messy Play, draws on research for my latest book Messy Play in the Early Years – Learning through Material Engagements. In this webinar I invite participants on a messy play journey, covering the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ of messy play, exploding some myths, providing curriculum links, tips and ideas for staff reflection." 

Treasure Baskets - After over 10 years of providing the industry-recognised 'creme de la creme' in Treasure Baskets, we've made the very difficult decision to stop selling pre-assembled Treasure Baskets. You can still buy lots of the safety tested treasures that we use to fill each Treasure Basket, so hurry to the Treasure Trove shop as availability is limited. WE also still have a few of the smaller sized baskets left so if you'd like to lay your hands on one of our last ever Treasure Baskets, contact us to find out more.

New Products - Our immensely popular durable and realistic Croc, Dino, Shark and Unicorn Hand Puppet collection is about to be extended, as a triceratops, tiger, elephant, lion, dolphin and Great White shark, join the range.

Cheesy Mice has long been a firm favourite sensory toy for the fantastic play and learning value which it provides. From supporting hand-eye coordination, to developing fine and gross motor skills, problem solving and visual acuity, this stigma-free learning tool is an indispensable resource for early years through to secondary education as well as supporting SEN. We’re excited to be extending our offer with the introduction of an equivalent Moon and stretchy Astronauts combo and ‘Ball of wool’ and stretchy Kittens set!

If you've still not laid your hands on our Sensory Toys and Equipment catalogue packed full of tried and tested favourites and some new additions toys and resources, simply Click here to download a copy, or contact the Play to Z team at info@playtoz.co.uk  to request your copy.  As well as being suitable for mainstream use, each and every resource has been carefully selected by sensory play specialist and author, Sue Gascoyne, for its proven ability to support children and adults with an array of sensory processing and attachment difficulties, including Autism and ADHD, giving you confidence and peace of mind. 

More Sensory Needs and Messy Play Masterclasses coming soon...

What can you expect?

Children's sensory processing difficulties can become an obstacle to learning, and represent a huge challenge for nurseries, schools and parents. This 1 hour session (plus browsing time) from author, Play therapist and trainer Sue Gascoyne, will offer hands-on guidance, demonstrations and bite-sized theory. The session will explore:

• How children learn through their senses.
• What it feels like to experience the world as a Sensory Being.
• Factors to consider when creating an enabling sensory environment.
• Low cost measures for supporting the sensory needs of the whole child.

*The Masterclass session takes place between 1.30 and 2.30pm with an opportunity to browse and ask questions between 1.00-3.00.

Training Resources

We know from training feedback how much you appreciate being able to access and use Sue's training materials. With courses on Creativity and Imagination, Science, Enabling Environments for Under Threes, Wellbeing, Sensory Needs and Messy Play, you can access a range of great resources for use in your setting here. 

Colchester's Latest Outdoor Therapy Space - We're excited to share our wonderful outdoor play therapy space complete with woodland walk, pond, treehouse, nest, log pile and wild flowers. A magical space for children to understand and express their feelings contained by the environment and supported by experienced Play Therapist - Sue Gascoyne PGCert, PGDip (Distinction), MBACP, PTUK.

Messy Play in the Early Years - Supporting Learning through Material Engagements! After selling out twice we're pleased to be offering Sue's latest book Order your copy here before the end of April and receive a free pack of Gelli Play worth £4.80! Not only is that a great saving, it will mean that you're able to start putting the fab messy play ideas to good use straight away! Published just before Christmas, it's already receiving rave reviews...  

"This remarkable book gives us the whys and wherefores of messy play, and ways of putting it into practice."

Another Messy Play Masterclass is in the pipeline but in the meantime, why not check our pinterest boards for Messy Play ideas without destroying the environment. We've also been busy starting to add a wealth of messy play resources, materials and recipes for you to access. Watch this space over the coming week as these sections grow. 

World Book Day 2019

World Book Day 2019 celebrations were extra special at Nannas Day Nurseries in Colchester, as author Sue Gascoyne launched her latest book Messy Play in the Early Years. Children at the award-winning nursery had the chance not just to create potions and tea concoctions with parents, but also to see themselves in print, on the pages of this acclaimed book! We even got a centre-spread in the local Gazette!