Make your own light box using 2 simple items!
Yeah, Baby!
I’ve been positively drooling over the light tables and light boxes that I’ve seen popping up all over blog-world! You know the ones I’m talking about:
I knew if I thought hard enough, I could come up with a simple way to make a DIY light box with stuff I had around the house.
Now, mine isn’t as large as some that I’ve seen, but when I put it together, and tested it, I was over the moon! It totally works. Yes indeedy!! Woohoo!
And bonus: because it’s small and light-weight, it’s portable. I’ve decided to call mine a “DIY light box” rather than light table, obviously, because of its size.
Here’s how it’s done. Prepare to be amazed by it’s simplicity! 
You can find these LED lights at Walmart, Canadian Tire, and probably most hardware stores. You can also buy them through Amazon via the following link:
These lights run on four AA batteries, and last forever. We have a bunch of them – we use them when we’re camping.
I found a few of these opaque containers at a thrift shop a while back to use for messy play (shaving cream, finger painting etc.).
The moment of truth! Turn the light on, and pop the lid on the container, and……
VOILA!! A light box!!
It’s awesome!! Honestly, you wouldn’t believe how excited I was when I turned out the lights, and saw it glowing happily away on the kitchen counter. Don’t you love it when something comes together this easily?
I didn’t go searching for exciting things to put on it. I was in the kitchen so I just grabbed a few things that I had near-by.
One of these days I’ll ask my handy hubby to make the “real deal” for me, but for now, this will be just fine. You can see how the Hooligans play with it here.
Yay, me! And yay, you too because YOU can totally make one of these! And if you’re looking for something a little bigger, pop over to CBC Parents to see our larger but equally simple light table featured there!
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Fantastic! So simple! Thanx for the idea! I was thinking about some simple ways for makin a light table, but this one is the best!
ive been drooliing too. alleluia!
Looks wonderful! I will copy you
Great work!!! You saved yourself $200! I made a similar light table using a rubbermaid container and Christmas lights. Yours looks better:)! But it proves the point that we can all have a light table. They are an endless source of fun!
I saw one with xmas lights in it! Was it yours? It looked great. You’re right about us all being able to have one! I love it when we figure out how to make a knock off of something great for a fraction of the cost!
Found one for $5.50 on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/SE-Camping-Light-24-LED/dp/B000OP1AJ6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1315001280&sr=8-3
Yay!! Good for you, Catherine! Have fun making yours, and thanks for sharing the link for the light!
My classroom has limited space so this is perfect. Thanks!
Hi, i don’t mean to “sound” ignorant, but could you please explain the importance of the light box for the normal development (i do realize that it provides visual, and therefore, sensory stimulation).
Hi Irina. I can’t answer for others who knew about the light box long before I stumbled upon it, but in my own opinion, it’s not an “important” part of normal development. It just looked like a heck of a lot of fun; something really interesting, and different than anything else we play with, and I wanted to add one to my daycare without spending a fortune. Hope that helps.
Thanks for taking the time to have a look. 
AWESOME light table!!!! I cant wait to make one!!
I found this light at Harbor Freight Tools, Does it look like it would provide enough light?
I’ll let you know, I’m going to give it a try for $3.99!
http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html
Karyn, your light looks like it will be just fine! 3.99!! Nice find!! Let us know how it goes, and if you’re happy with it, I’ll spread the word about your light. Thanks so much for sending the link! Good luck with your light box!!
Thank you for posting this!! It’s a wonderful idea. I won’t spend $200 on a light table that my daughter will lose interest in. I bought a box from Walmart today, but I got clear. Do you think the more frosted box would be better?
I think an opaque box might diffuse the light in a different way, and you can’t see the mechanics of what’s inside the box which is kind of nice. Having said that however, I had someone comment yesterday that theirs is a box with a clear lid and they like it better than the white boxes, so I might just come down to personal preference. Give it a shot and see how you like it. The great thing is, it’s not a huge investment if you decide to switch to opaque.
So glad you’re giving it a try! Good for you!
Thanks for all your fun ideas…I’m using so many in my classroom for K/1! Keep playing!
Wonderful idea! I’ve been thinking about a light table and have seen several homemade ones. But the light you used is a new one for me. I’ll definitely try this! Thanks.
Great! Many thanks for sharing this fantastic idea! We’ll try to make ours soon, I promise.
Loving this
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This is AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing!!
I would have never thought to do this. Great idea and one that I can implement sooner than later! Thank you for sharing!
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I followed the directions at teach Preschool and painted the inside of the box silver , as well as painted the inside of the lid with frost paint, but for the light I bought two tube lights from wal-mart. The two lights connect to each other, then plug into the wall. I was over thinking it and was going to have my husband drill a hole for the cord when by accident I discovered that the cord could easily drape over the edge even with the lid closed! No Batteries! To quote my 17 year old, “Yay Me!!!!” It is the hit of the new year at our program, and I am i love with it myself. It does the job it’s meant for, it stores it’s own supplies, and is light weight allowing me to place it anywhere in the room. We have a large open classroom setting.
Yay You is right, Pam!! Don’t you just love using good old brain power to make something so awesome!! So happy it worked out so well for you, and that you’re all enjoying it your classroom!! Good job!
This is the simplest idea for DIY light table! Thanks, this would be a fantastic lifesaver for gloomy winter days
Thank you!!!! It is so simple, I don’t know why I couldn’t come up with this. My 11 month old has CVI and we have been considering buying one of these with the “hope” that she would be as interested in it as light coming through windows. Making one asap!!!
You’re welcome! I find more and more, I’m thinking “outside of the box” to come up ways to make these things for minimal $$. I’d go broke if I had to go out and buy all the cool stuff at full price. lol Hope your little one has fun with it!
I had a package of plain white Diodor lights from IKEA that were supposed to be used for another project. One translucent IKEA bin, a hole cut out with a knife and the Diodor lights stuck in there later, and I have a fantastic lightbox that my son LOVES to explore with! And it’s a deep bin so he kneels at it while playing. And when he’s done? I lift the lid and put all the translucent letters and bags of marbles etc in there to store. GREAT ACTIVITIES!
That’s awesome, Lorelei! I love it when we come up with inexpensive ways to make knock-offs at home! Yay, you!!!
Great Post. You are one of the featured posts this week on fun frugal friday. Thanks for linking up and come on over and grab a featured button. : )
How funny, I just found these exact same lights at Big Lots and immediately thought—DIY light box! (and PAHM gave me the idea too, love those ladies!) Have you noticed a funny smell coming from yours? I thought maybe the lights were heating the plastic, but the box didn’t feel warm… can’t figure out what the smell is.
I just dropped you an email, Rebekah. I’ve never noticed any odour from ours, and we have several of them. I don’t know what that would be from. Maybe exchange for a new one and see if that one does it too?
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Thank you for this great idea!
We really wanted a light box but couldn’t afford one.
We’ve just ordered an LED light to try out your idea
I got the LED lights but they may be too bright!
I’m still hunting for the ideal box. It’s a work in progress..
If you find they’re too bright, try taping a piece of waxed paper or tracing paper to the inside of the lid of the box. That will soften the light a bit. Also, make sure your container is not clear/see through. It will really softnen the light if it’s opaque-white. Good luck!
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I want to make it! I’m struggled with light table for my toddler and now you made me easy! thanks a lot! I put a picture in your wall in facebook when we made it! thanks again from Venezuela
Fantastic, Joanna! I’m so glad you’re able to make one for your little one! I’d love to see a photo.