How to make a homemade light box for preschoolers with 2 common household items. Great for home, in the car, playdates and sleep-overs!
A homemade lightbox is a wonderful piece of equipment to have in your daycare, preschool, homeschool or playroom. It provides a wonderful way for children to explore colourful objects and light in a whole new way.
For months now, I’ve been drooling over all of the fabulous light tables 
and light boxes
 (those are affiliate links) that I’ve seen popping up all over the preschool websites, and wishing I had one here in my home daycare. They’re so expensive to buy though.
The other night, it occurred to me that I might be able to make my own.
I love making homemade toys for the hooligans, and I knew if I thought hard enough, I could come up with a simple way to make a light box using things I already had around the house.
This light box isn’t as large as a light table, but it works like a charm, and it’s perfect for one or two kids to gather around.
Bonus: because it’s small and light-weight, it’s portable. Â You can take this in the car, to playdates, to sleep-overs at Grandma’s house etc. Â Don’t you love that?
Here’s how it’s done. Prepare to be amazed by it’s simplicity! 🙂
How to Make a Preschool Light Box:
For your conviencience, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Supplies:
- opaque storage container
- LED Camping Light
About these LED lights:
These lights run on four AA batteries
, and last forever. We have several that we use when we’re camping, and we’ve had them for years.
I just pop the batteries out when they’re not in use.
About the container:
Look for an opaque (frosted) container. Something that you would store muffins or cookies in is perfect. Â You want one that’s translucent rather than see-through so it will diffuse the light. I found my containers in the kitchen section of a second-hand store.
How to make a homemade light box:
Set the light into the container, turn it on, pop the lid on the container, and voila: instant light box!
If your container doesn’t have a lid, or if the lid is coloured, and therefore, not see-through, you can simply turn the container upside down (without a lid) and pace it over the light to and get the same effect.
To test the light box, I just grabbed a few items from the kitchen since that’s where I was working.
For play, you’ll want to provide your child with objects and toys that are transparent and colourful so they’ll reflect the light. You can see some of the items we use here.
Small enough to take on the go
This light box is the perfect size for one or two little ones to play at. It’s small and portable, so your child can take it the car or to a play-date or sleepover.
Convenient storage
Your LED lights and all of the small items you use on your light box can be stored right inside the container in between uses.
Light Table Activities:
If you’re looking for fun ways for your kids to play and learn with their light table, HowWeMontessori has lots of ideas here.
You may also like these homemade toys for toddlers and preschoolers:
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
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Make and Play
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!
orange splot art spot
ive been drooliing too. alleluia!
Angelique Felix
Looks wonderful! I will copy you 🙂
Lindsey
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!
happyhooligans
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!
Beth
My classroom has limited space so this is perfect. Thanks!
happyhooligans
Yay!! Good for you, Catherine! Have fun making yours, and thanks for sharing the link for the light!
Irina
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).
happyhooligans
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. 🙂
Dawnelle
I don’t know either but I have seen other bloggers pour sand/salt/shaving cream in the upside down lid or a tray on top and let the kids use different tools to draw and write on it which would add tactile & fine motor components. I haven’t seen it done done but it just occurred to me to let them paint water colors on the lid (or maybe on wax paper) like stained glass and then wash it off. You could also lay a peg board on top and have your own light bright.
Karyn Croxdale Kapellusch
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
happyhooligans
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!!
Tina
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?
happyhooligans
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!
Sharlene Gevatkoff Weingart
Thanks for all your fun ideas…I’m using so many in my classroom for K/1! Keep playing!
Scott
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.
Ligoakoma
Great! Many thanks for sharing this fantastic idea! We’ll try to make ours soon, I promise.
amber
Loving this
heidi
This is AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing!!
Erin @ Wild Whispers
I would have never thought to do this. Great idea and one that I can implement sooner than later! Thank you for sharing!
Pam Ennis (Mumsy)
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.
happyhooligans
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! 🙂
Ana
This is the simplest idea for DIY light table! Thanks, this would be a fantastic lifesaver for gloomy winter days
Amber
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!!!
happyhooligans
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!
Lorelei
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!
happyhooligans
That’s awesome, Lorelei! I love it when we come up with inexpensive ways to make knock-offs at home! Yay, you!!!
Fun Frugal Mommy
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. : )
Rebekah
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.
happyhooligans
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?
Mia
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
Magali
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..
happyhooligans
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!
Joanna Perez
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
happyhooligans
Fantastic, Joanna! I’m so glad you’re able to make one for your little one! I’d love to see a photo. 🙂
jaime
This is awesome! I love easy and this looks like something I can do. I see a trip to Walmart in my near future:)
Lee
I have pinned a few examples but, this is EASY. I am so excited…this is the perfect size- easier to store! Going to the second hand store NOW!! Thank you.
Natalie
This is the easiest I’ve seen – thanks for sharing it with us!
Amber L.
Awesome idea! Those light tables and boxes are expensive.
Diane
That is brilliant. I think I have that same container. Thanks for the great idea.
happyhooligans
You’re welcome, Diane! Hope you give it a try!
Christine
This is great! I made a light box a couple years ago with a container from Ikea (snalis) and LED light strips from Walmart. Ikea doesn’t make Snalis boxes anymore, but the Trofast box (if turned upside down) looks like it would work well also. If using a clear container, taping white tissue paper underneath the cover might help diffuse the light.
AnneMarie
Hi, thank you for the great idea. I used it in my classroom and it was great. However, I want to purchase an opaque acrylic top but am home on snow day weekend. Do you know the dimensions of the lightbox? I have the same container. Thanks!
happyhooligans
I’m sorry. I don’t know the exact dimensions, Annemarie. I wrote this post years ago, and have since purchased new containers. Worst case, you can turn the container upside down, and use the bottom as the table top. 🙂