Light Table Play.

We got a light panel at Christmastime and it’s become quite the popular material! The panel can be placed on any surface, so I’ve moved one of our child-sized tables near an outlet and it’s been set up for a few weeks now in our new art area. The kids love to use it first thing in the morning, during quiet time or even later in the afternoon. It’s the perfect material for these cold, dreary winter days.

The button on this panel is really easy to maneuver so having it set up all day works really well. If someone wants to use it, they just click the button and it turns right on. There’s no set up required. Even Eva enjoys it but of course, needs to be more closely monitored with the small objects. 

The small objects are so attractive that it became very clear we needed a storage solution that would keep Eva safe. I picked up this small bead storage box which is working out so well. She can’t open the latches on her own but Lola and Javi both can.

When we got the light panel, we were also gifted a set of these. They make the perfect accessories. Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner, I added some translucent heart vase fillers in the storage box, and some other gemstones we happened to have. We also had a bead necklace that was becoming an issue (Lola was wearing it too tight around her neck) so I actually just cut up the necklace and took the translucent beads for this work! Then I added these small boxes. We’ve even used our magna-tiles with the light table! 

When Eva wants to use the light table and I can’t be right next to her, I take the box away but give her some cellophane pieces. I’ve cut up all different shapes; strips, hearts, circles, and so on. She loves it.

The light table is great for making patterns, talking about shapes, light, color, creating and exploring and experimenting. We’ve brought in other concepts like counting, stacking, layering, color mixing — seriously, the opportunities are endless.

Do you have access to a light table? There are some really easy DIY light tables available on Pinterest if not! It’s truly such an amazing open-ended material.