light table

Castle Theme Light Table Activity

August 25, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A light table is one of my favorite classroom centers, as it adds a glowing ambience to the room. It’s a goal of mine to add one or more light table activities to every theme. A set of bubble bottles inspired a castle theme light table activity.

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Castle Light Table Supplies

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The following supplies are in this royal-themed light table set up:

castle-themed bubble bottles
metallic pompoms
metallic bead necklace strips
gold jingle bells
cube-shaped reusable ice cubes
interlocking necklace connectors
acrylic crystal ice rocks
ombre erasers
clear egg tray
clear bowls, trays, plates, and serving scoops

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The Castle Theme Light Table Activity

A variety of interesting loose parts that complement the castle theme are featured in this light table play invitation.

A jewel-toned set of empty transparent bubble containers is the highlight. I was excited to spot the bubble containers while on a routine shopping trip one afternoon.

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Transparent castle-themed jewelry connectors in crown, flower, heart, and high-heeled shoe shapes add princessy fun.

Cube-shaped reusable ice cubes, ombre erasers, and acrylic crystal ice rocks are additional transparent loose parts to explore.

Although not transparent, metallic pompoms and bead necklace strips add glam, as do the gold jingle bells.

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Setting the supplies in clear bowls and on clear trays displays them attractively.

Sorting supplies in the clear egg tray and on clear plates allows them to shine.

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More Castle Theme Light Table Supplies

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A small cooking pot and stove elements drawn on an overhead transparency offer pretend cooking possibilities for interested children. So fun!

What would you add to this castle theme light table activity?

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More Light Table Activities

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Space Theme Light Table

Christmas Small World on the Light Table

Valentine’s Day Light Table Play

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

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[Read more…]

Space Theme Light Table

August 26, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This space theme light table is a perfect fit for a unit on space. There are many sparkly, glowing objects in space, so offering activities with light in the theme is fitting.

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Supplies To Collect

The light table is one of my favorite centers, and I love collecting supplies for it.

There are many awesome toys on the market designed just for this center. Interesting light table accessories can also be found in unexpected places, and I’ve included quite a few in this play invitation.

The following supplies, many of which are transparent, are on the light table:

toy spaceships
glow in the dark moon
circles, stars, and squares
miniature spinning tops
star-shaped reusable ice cubes
story stones
star-shaped ice cube mold
clear serving dish

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The Space Theme Light Table

In this outer space-themed center the story stones are the only supply designed to be a learning resource. They serve as space rocks.

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In the play invitation the accessories below originally had other purposes:

The spaceships were bubble bottles…such a great find!
The circles, stars, and squares were cut from hanging decorations.
The miniature spinning tops were party favors.
The star-shaped reusable ice cubes were meant to help keep drinks cold.
The yellow ice cube tray was designed to freeze ice cubes into star shapes.

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Benefits of the Space Theme Light Table

Besides being a whole lot of fun, this space-themed light table offers the following opportunities:

shape recognition
matching shapes
counting and sorting by size and color
discussing large and small
development of eye-hand coordination
small muscle development

What would you add to this play invitation? Share in a comment below.

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More Light Table Activities

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Christmas Light Table Activity

Valentine’s Day Light Table Play

Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

Rainbow Sensory Tray

Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

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More Space-themed Activities

Scented Moon Playdough

Salt and Glue Moon Art

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

Outer Space Pretend Play

Space Theme Loose Parts Play

Moon Colors Art Project

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[Read more…]

Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

March 23, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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There are a lot of great educational toys for the light table, and I regularly collect them. Routine shopping trips can lead to beautiful, unexpected finds for the center. This Easter bunny light table activity was assembled after a prize find on one of my run-of-the-mill trips.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Easter Bunny Light Table Supplies

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The following supplies are in this effortless Easter bunny light table activity:

transparent tabletop bunnies
bunny candy holders
transparent plastic egg garland
large clear bowl
clear reusable egg tray
clear plastic egg carton

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The Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

Transparent acrylic and polyester tabletop bunnies were the unique find and are the inspiration for this Easter light table activity.

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Bunny candy holders, easily picked up at dollar stores, add variety to the bunny collection.

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Plastic eggs in transparent spring colors cut from an Easter garland are set in a clear bowl for sorting.

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A clear reusable egg tray and a clear plastic egg carton are the sorting containers.

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More Easter Light Table Ideas

To keep things simpler, skip the transparent bunnies and go with bunny candy holders, transparent fillable Easter eggs, egg trays, and round acrylic gems.

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For more light play fun, set out Easter bunny, chick, and carrot candy holders along with light-up Easter chicks and acrylic gems for little learners to explore.

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More Light Table Play Ideas

Rainbow Light Table Sensory Tray

Gorgeous Eye Dropper Art

Canada Day Light Table

Transparent Page Divider Activities

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Christmas Light Table Small World

Valentine’s Day Light Table Play

Valentine’s Day Jewelry Light Table

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

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[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

February 11, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The giving and receiving of jewelry around Valentine’s Day is a common tradition. Who doesn’t feel special receiving a new sparkling, jewel-toned necklace, bracelet, or ring? Trying on Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table gives little learners a chance to feel that specialness and explore the glittering accessories in a new way.

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Light Table Valentine’s Day Supplies

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The following supplies were gathered for this charming light table play invitation:

clear acrylic jewelry chest
clear acrylic compartment trays
mirror and stand
transparent purple, pink, and red necklaces, bracelets, and rings
heart-themed play sunglasses
transparent tic tac toe game
reusable heart-shaped ice cubes
acrylic heart gems

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The Valentine’s Day Jewelry Play Invitation

Play jewelry is a welcome addition to any dress-up center, but has a moment to shine extra brightly in a light table play invitation.

The clear acrylic jewelry chest was a recent happy find and is super fun to use. Jewelry displayed in clear compartment trays works just as well.

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A large mirror set on a stand reflects the supplies beautifully and invites children to view themselves all jeweled up. Choosing a non-breakable mirror is recommended.

Play sunglasses add to the possible looks.

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Heart-themed loose parts provide additional items to explore and encourage children to think in creative ways. Early learners can practice labeling, counting, and sorting them.

Having a variety of materials on the light table allows children to play side by side, offering opportunities for socialization. Two to four children can play in the center at one time.

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The color scheme for this Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table play invitation is purple, pink, and red. Any color combination would work wonderfully for the illuminating, accessory-filled center.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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More Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine’s Day Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day Process Art

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Water Play

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Llama-inspired Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin

Valentine’s Day Sensory Tubes

Eye Dropper Heart Art

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[Read more…]

Christmas Small World on the Light Table

December 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Transparent Christmas trees are the inspiration for this whimsical Christmas small world on the light table. They illuminate beautifully and pair with a variety of loose parts for creative and imaginative seasonal play.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Light Table Small World Supplies

The following supplies are included in the Christmas small world setup:

transparent Christmas trees in green, red, pink, and clear colors
clear acrylic deer figurines
clear acrylic snowman figurine
acrylic clear nativity decoration
pink transparent pebbles
small wooden shelters
wooden peg dolls painted red, green, pink, and white

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The Christmas Small World

In this Christmas small world, transparent trees in red, green, pink, and clear hues set the color scheme.

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Wooden peg dolls painted with acrylic paints in red, pink, green, and white colors complement the trees.

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Clear acrylic deer and a snowman are beautiful ornaments to explore.

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Transparent pink pebbles are a soft touch.

A simple nativity decoration enhances the Christmas small world theme.

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Making Your Own Transparent Trees

An alternative to purchasing transparent trees is to create your own.

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The trees above are made from transparent page dividers and paper rolls. To make them, cut paper rolls into two-inch cylinders. Next, cut a one-inch slit into opposite sides of each paper roll section. Then cut triangular trees from transparent page dividers.

Feel free to download this template to create the trees.

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Paper Roll Tree PatternDownload

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Slide the bottom of the trees into the paper roll trunks and set them on your light table or another tabletop. These DIY trees also illuminate nicely.

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