I fell in love at IKEA. 

No, I did not run off with a Swedish furniture maker.  Instead, I found the thing my heart, and sanity, has been craving for a long time.

Now why would I make such a big deal out of this unassuming clear plastic tray? 

Let me tell you, the IKEA Smula tray is a game changer for all kid related projects, also known as messes. 

The Smula is the ultimate catch all and creation station for children to make, play, build, craft, and paint to their hearts content without making a mess or taking over your household. 

The tray’s size is perfect.  It keeps all the pieces, beads, Legos, Play Doh and the like contained and still has plenty of surface space to create on.  Plus it is portable.  Projects that once took over the dinner table or living room floor are now corralled in something that can be picked up and moved when that area is needed back.  

The inevitable spills and stains easily wipe off of the tray’s surface.  Even dried on hot glue (tested by one of my son’s art projects) came off no problem.  If needed, the Smula tray is durable enough to handle a good scrub to get off any stuck on messes (like dried on acrylic paint from one of my daughter’s most recent projects). 

These trays also stack perfectly nestled into one another so they are easy to store without taking up space.   Best of all, they are only $1.99 so even buying a dozen of them will not break the bank. 

 

Do yourself a favor and get a handful of Smula trays from IKEA.  My stress over kid project spills and messes are a thing of the past.  Now, I thouroughly enjoy this precious time of creation and imagination with my children which is truly living life with a touch of luxe.