
I also stock up on non-traditional items such as cocktail stirrers, colorful shot glasses and reusable plastic ice cubes at the dollar store. I keep baskets of loose parts near the light table so that the children can use them for unstructured, self-guided play. Translucent blocks and Magnatiles inspire the children to create 3-D structures and see the interplay of light, color and reflection in three dimensions. We add bingo chips and clear and colored gemstones to the mix to encourage counting and sorting by attributes. We add a variety of colored translucent tiles to the light table, cut cellophane sheets into shapes to create mosaics and layer translucent paddles to create new and sometimes unexpected colors.
#LIGHT TABLE FOR KIDS TRIAL#
As the children expand their knowledge base through trial and error, they collect “data” and add “probability” to their investigative skills.Įverything and anything translucent can be used in light and color play. These explorations of color and light also offer opportunities to assess the children’s predictive abilities. Light-table play can be a calming, absorbing experience for a child, and the learning is often enhanced by the presence of a friend and collaborator. We love our light table because it never disappoints, stimulating long periods of intense play as the children lay translucent objects one over the other. The girls experiment with different color combinations and share their theories and discoveries. Nora passes a transparent half-sphere her way. “It is pink! Can I have the red one?” Saaliha asks. I watch as Nora moves over to make room for Saaliha at the light table and the two friends immerse themselves in STEM collaboration, problem-solving and investigation. Saaliha is immediately drawn into this color exploration. “Watch what happens when I put all of the reds together,” instructs Nora. Saaliha joins her friend and the STEM investigations into light, color and reflection continue. “Saaliha, come play with me at the light table!” Nora calls out. Share it with us in the comments! We love finding fun new ways to play and learn on our light table.As the days grow shorter and the slanting rays of sun that create our rainbows are replaced by clouds, we shift our energy to other forms of investigative play with light and color.

Create your own simple shape puzzleswith transparent tiles and a little bit of tape.ĭo you have a favorite light table learning activity? Make these story silhouettesfor storytelling and imaginative play. Learn about sea life by making and exploring ocean animals in this creative and fun sensory activity. Do some fine motor skill building by cutting water beadson the light table! Slippery beads are a challenge to cut. Create this easy alphabet sorting busy box and some transparent letters. Practice counting and math skills by counting with circlesor DIY flower counting cards. Create this simple rainbow salt trayto encourage pre-writing skills for toddlers and preschoolers. Do some science one the light table by experimenting with ice, salt, and colored water. Let them get messy and learn about colors with this fun bubbling color mixingactivity. Use water beads to create a fun sensory experience that also teaches letter recognitionto kids. Turn plastic cups into a whole new world of imagination by making them into interactive Story Cups. Use loose parts and everyday items to create a fun and easy color sorting activityfor your little learners. Got geoboards? Kick them up a notch with the light table and practice shapes and letters on them. Create a simple salt tray and turn it into a letter seek and findgame on the light table. Turn your light table into a fine motor learning stationby providing materials for cutting and threading. Do you have a light table? We love ours! There are so many fun light table learning activities that you can do on it! From math to literacy to science and much more!īelow you will find 15 of our favorite light table learning activities! These are kid-approved ways to use your light table that encourages learning while having fun!ġ5+ Light Table Learning Activities for Kids
