Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set · view 1
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set · view 2
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set · view 3
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Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set · view 6
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set
Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set

Gus + Mabel

Busy Bee Tray, 2 Half Inserts, and Lid Set

$165.00

Shipping and tax calculated at checkout.

In stock, ready to ship

Leaves our Los Angeles warehouse within 1 to 3 business days.

Only 2 left. Order soon.

The Busy Bee Tray with two half-section inserts is the simplest and most flexible configuration in the line: two large compartments and a lid, sized for the materials that matter most. Water and sand, dough and tools, dry and wet at once. Pour, scoop, sort, layer; close the lid when play is done.

The tray is biodegradable eco-composite: food-safe, weather-resistant, and waterproof, with an embossed Australian flora and fauna texture on the base. It moves between the kitchen table and the garden without a second thought.

MaterialBamboo fiber
IncludesLid, base + 2 half inserts
Size40 cm diameter
Pair withReflective Mirror · Fairy Streamlet mat
Origin DesignedAustralia MadeChina

Age Recommendations

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From age three and up, across the Pre-K to early-primary years. The developmental window for sorting, water play, and nature provocations.

Why it lasts.

We carry the Busy Bee Tray because the lid is the detail that makes it a classroom tool. It closes, moves, and reopens clean; the two-half configuration is the most versatile in the line: large enough for substantial materials, flexible enough for dozens of different setups across a term. It pairs with the Busy Bee Mirror Insert for reflection play, and any Gus + Mabel felt mat fits directly inside the tray; the setup that holds sand in the morning becomes a small-world landscape in the afternoon.

Who it's for

For the parent
One tray that grows with your child: water and petals one week, a sorting station the next, dough or small worlds after. The lid covers a half-finished scene; the set is dishwasher-safe.
For the educator
Built for the Pre-K to Grade 2 nature table, with ties to NGSS K-2 life science, place-based learning, and Montessori practical life. Inserts reconfigure for sorting, water play, and observation.
For the gift-giver
It arrives in a stunning, gift-ready box. A calm, natural present that does not end on the first afternoon and becomes whatever a child is curious about that season.

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Details

Materials & construction

Material: Biodegradable eco-composite (plant-fiber), food-safe, weather-resistant

Base: Embossed Australian flora and fauna texture

Origin: Designed by Gus + Mabel; made in China

Includes: Tray, 2 half-section inserts, lid

Care: Wipe clean; suitable for water use

Ways to play

Water and sand, dough, scooping and pouring, and natural loose-parts play across two open wells: float petals and pebbles, or sort dried flowers, dried citrus, acorns, and seed pods. It is sensory, natural play at its most open, and the lid keeps an unfinished scene covered between sessions. The Gus + Mabel felt mats sit neatly inside the tray for small-world scenes; explore the <a href="/collections/felt-play-mats-and-playscapes">felt mats</a>.
Care & storage
Top-shelf dishwasher safe, or wash with warm soapy water and a sponge. Clean up after messy play, and avoid leaving colored liquids, paints, or dyes sitting in the tray, since the natural material can stain. For stubborn marks, a baking soda and water paste, white vinegar, or lemon all lift stains without harsh chemicals. It is a natural material, so use a non-slip mat on hard tables or play on the floor, and bring it indoors and out of direct sun when play is done.
Shipping & returns

Shipping

In-stock items ship from LA in 1–3 business days, plus 1–6 in transit (contiguous U.S.).

  • $10.95 standard, free on orders $150+ (after discounts, before tax)
  • Partner-warehouse items can take up to 2 weeks, check the product page
  • Pre-orders follow their own timeline; mixed orders ship together when the pre-order arrives
  • Local LA/OC delivery, Quick Ship, Hawaii/Alaska, and international at checkout

See full shipping policy →

Returns accepted for 30 days from delivery. If the toy isn't right, send it back. Free returns on damaged or defective items.