Skip to Content

How to Make a Light Box for Kids

Here is an easy way to make a light box for your child to experiment with:
 
make a light box

Line a clear shoe box sized container with waxed paper and tuck a strand of Christmas lights inside. After you snap the top on, leave a small end of the strand and plug hanging out of the side of the box.  Plug it in and have fun! For more details on how to make this diy light box, visit No Time for Flashcards .

light box
 
Glass Beads are a fun item to add to a light table/box.
 
light box

This post at Teach Preschool also shows how to make a light box out of a strand of rope light and a scrapbook paper storage container.

light box
 
You can use sand to create different designs and pieces of art on your light table/box like they did at Casa Maria’s Creative Learning Zone 
 
light box
 
Discover with colored water as shown by Rhythm of the Home. A TON of awesome light table ideas at this site including colored shaving cream, mirrors, colored pasta, painting, and water beads.
 
light box
 
Use bottle caps on your light table/box like they did at Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds. 
 
 

Natalie

Wednesday 25th of January 2012

What a great idea, and so simple! I can't wait to share this idea with family child care providers. Thank you!

Shelisa

Wednesday 25th of January 2012

My kids always flock to a light box when they see one, yet I've never even thought of making one for our playroom! I love this idea! Thanks for taking something that seemed out of reach to me and making it doable with things from around the house.

English Lesson Plans

Wednesday 25th of January 2012

Excellent work!!! And Thanks for posting easy tips for making a light box.

Jackie H.

Wednesday 25th of January 2012

Love these ideas. My neighbor gave us a little tykes table with a lightbox in the desk top. The desk is kind of large for our playspace but I wasn't about to turn down a free light table!! Can't wait to try these ideas out.

Kara

Tuesday 24th of January 2012

I just discovered the light box concept and was bummed to see how much they cost. Thanks for pulling together these ideas I have all these items just laying around at home anyway.