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| Homemade light table fun! |
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| Light table fun! |
Soooo I created a new sensory activity for us this week… A homemade light table! Dylan, Jake and Emma have always
been fascinated with toys or objects with lights so I thought why not create something that would peak their interests on a new level.
I
have seen light tables used in classrooms but they can cost
a few hundred dollars. I figured there had to be a cheaper solution. So I decided to create my own! It turns out, I can make a very cool, safe,
and inexpensive light table for less than $30. There are many different versions of homemade
light boxes out there, many have you use plug in Christmas lights or other
types of lights, but I liked this solution because there are no wires and it
felt safer to me. This one seems to be
one of the easiest and the safest I came up with.
Anyone
can put this together in less than 5 minutes and I guarantee kids of all ages
(9 months and up) will enjoy using it. Using
a light table is a different version of a sensory table. By incorporating the element of light into
their playing, they are stimulating a different sense and learning in a different
way.
There
are so many different uses for light tables and I have listed some ideas at the
bottom of this post. We just invested, yes invested, in Magna Tiles and they
are worth every penny. They work
perfectly with the light table and they will be used for many years to
come. I look forward to using the light
table for other uses as well!
I
introduced this activity after naps since it was later in the day when the
house was darker and I felt they would get more of the light effects. They were in amazement of how neat it
was. I knew right away I needed to make
2 more because I didn't want to deal with the fights that ensued because all
three couldn't play at the same time without destroying each others work… Now that I knew how easy and
inexpensive it is to make these I ran out to get the supplies to make 2 more!
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| Happily enjoying the new sensory table! |
What
you need:
(1)
appox 16”x14” box with a frosted top and frosted side. The lid should have an elevated edge on it so
that the object(s) can stay put on the top a little better. *The bigger the box
the more lights you will need* Try these from Target
(4-6)
Tap lights Find them here
Other items you
may need:
Parchment Paper
Foil
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I was able to fit four lights
in this box and it was plenty. |
The steps are so
easy!
1. Put the batteries in the lights and turn them
on.
2. Place the lights in the box and put the lid back
on. The more lights you can fit in the
better. I used both the regular and LED
lights and liked the regular ones better.
3. Put the table on the floor or low table and let
your child explore with some of the suggestions below!
Some other
things that may increase the function of your homemade light table:
*Try taping
parchment paper to the bottom of the lid if you feel the lid is too
see-through.
*Place foil
around the sides and/or bottom the box to add a reflective property to increase
the light and help the brightness shine through the top.
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| A homemade light table! |
Things
to use/do on the light table:
Magna-tiles… expensive but worth every penny (purchase from Lakeshore using a
coupon!!!)
Window
Gel Clings (great for seasonal variations and cheap!)
Any
colored plastic bottles, cups, containers, spoons, etc
Glass
beads (older children) for sorting purposes
Colored
water
Painting
