This tray kept my wee one occupied for quite a while. 

What I’ve used:

• a large plastic box (from Ikea);
• hazard tape;
• construction car set;
• semolina;
• wet coffee ground;
• cereals (two weetabix biscuits and a hand-full of shreddies);
• stones of various sizes;
• wood pieces;
• toilet paper rolls;
• a funel;
• a bowl with warm water for washing up the cars.

Create a small construction site with all the materials and let the play begin. Tell your child how all the construction cars are called. 

When they finish get them to sort the materials and save what is saveable for future use. Also get them to wash the cars.