Saturday, November 30, 2013

Light Table Gift Guide for Kids

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I have put together what I am going to call the ultimate light table gift guide for kids.  It is filled with nearly 40 store-bought ideas, but you will also find lots of additional homemade alternatives throughout.  Then you will be prepared to spend countless hours enjoying light table play, just like we have!

The Ultimate Light Table Gift Guide for Kids - over 30 ideas, including some DIY alternatives from And Next Comes L

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Light Tables, Light Panels, and Light Boxes for Kids


Light Table Gift Guide for Kids: Light Table Suggestions from And Next Comes L


There's lots of variety when it comes to light tables.  You can purchase a light panel or use a small tracing table as a light box.  We actually used this particular light box up until we built our own light table.  Another option is this beautiful light table with storage underneath.

Finally, you can always build your own light table like we did.  You can read my full tutorial here.

Building Sets for Light Table Play


Light Table Gift Guide for Kids: Building Sets for Light Table Play from And Next Comes L


Building on the light table can be so much fun!  I really want a set of Magna-Tiles for our light table so they are definitely on the boys' wish list this year.  However, the Q Ba Maze looks like a fun mix between Lego blocks and a marble run, which I am sure the boys would get a kick out of.  Some other great building sets to consider are Wedgits, slotted connectors, translucent blocks, and Interlox.

Colorful Blocks for Light Table Play


Light Table Gift Guide for Kids: Colorful Blocks for Light Table Play from And Next Comes L


There are so many wonderful blocks that would look amazing on the light table.  I especially want some mirror blocks for the boys!

You can always make your own translucent color blocks from dollar store items.  Surely I must be making this up, you wonder.  No, I am not.  You can read my full tutorial here about how I made my own set for just $3.  Prepare for your mind to be blown...


Imaginative Play on the Light Table


Light Table Gift Guide for Kids: Imaginative Play from And Next Comes L


Spark your child's imagination with some fun light table play.  Be a doctor and check out some human body x-rays or even some broken bones too.  Or how about a veterinarian?  These animal x-rays would be a lot of fun.  Or maybe your kid wants to be a geologist?  Then these agate slices would be a perfect fit!

We have done some imaginative play on our light table before, such as this frog pond small world.

Literacy Ideas for Light Table Play


Light Table Gift Guide for Kids: Literacy Ideas from And Next Comes L


The boys love to use their letter magnets on the light table.  They may not be transparent, but the glow from the table shines through and enhances the color of the letters.  My boys would also love to build letters on the light table with this letter construction set.

How about some DIY literacy ideas?  Check out these homemade letter stones and transparent letter manipulatives.


Loose Parts and Sensory Materials for Light Table Play


Light Table Gift Guide for Kids: Loose Parts & Sensory Materials from And Next Comes L


There are so many wonderful manipulatives that can be used on the light table and often, I just browse the dollar store and craft stores for anything translucent.  You'd be surprised what you might find!  Loose parts are wonderful encouraging open-ended play and there are so many to choose from.  We probably favor glass stones the most, but we have made use of many items from this list.