Valentine's Sensory Writing Tray & Light Table Activity

Valentine's Day themed salt tray writing activity for the light table.

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Both of my boys like to write. So we used this Valentine's writing tray as a way to practice writing Valentine's themed words and shapes. Salt trays like this one are great for toddlers and preschoolers to practice mark making and writing skills.

This activity is quick and simple to set up.

And you can add additional sensory dimensions by placing it on a light table and turning it into a Valentine's Day light table activity.

Valentine Sensory Writing Tray: What You'll Need

Here's what you'll need for this salt tray writing activity:

• Epsom salt

• Red craft feathers

• Plastic heart jewelry links - I found ours at Target and the Dollar Tree.

• Glass dish

• Light table (optional)

Valentine's Day Light Table Activity

I put this Valentine writing tray on the light table just to add another sensory dimension. Plus, my boys loves light table play so I knew it would be even more appealing to them.

The feathers were perfect for practicing writing and helped to encourage good fine motor skills. J practiced writing words like heart and love in the salt. He also drew some hearts freehand and traced some of the plastic hearts.

The boys also liked to press the plastic hearts into the salt to make little heart impressions. They continued to do these impressions for a few minutes before declaring they were all done. So it wasn't major success in their books, but it did keep them busy for like 10 minutes.

Other Ideas You'll Love

Valentine's Day Activities for Kids

15 Valentine's Day Themed Light Table Activities

Free Printable Valentine's Day I Spy Game

This post is part of the Show Me the Love series and includes these other fun ideas:

We Love Nouns Kid Writing with Free Printable from Still Playing School

Bubble Wrap Heart Prints from House of Burke

100+ Light Table Activities for Kids

Looking for light table activities for toddlers and preschoolers? Below you'll find tons of light box ideas and activities for every topic and season imaginable!

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When my boys were toddlers and preschoolers, we did a lot of play on our homemade light table.

Like a lot a lot.

Light play was extremely calming for J and it was a great connection point for us when he was little. He used to spend hours silently playing at the light table.

So needless to say, I've captured tons of different light play ideas over the years and posted them here on the blog. And this collection of 100+ light table activities for kids is just a small-ish sample of what fun we've had over the years.

Why Light Play?

Curious about the benefits of light play?  Or unsure of where to begin?  Here's some useful information about light table play.

• Check out our light table accessory guide to browse the best light tables, light panels, and accessories.
• Read all about why I love light play.
• Still Playing School's Why Light Table Play? post is a fantastic read if you are unfamiliar with the benefits of playing with light.

How to Make a DIY Light Table or Box for Kids

There are lots of great DIY light table projects out there and I have been known to make quite a few myself.

• DIY Light Table Tutorial
• DIY Light Box from Happy Hooligans
• DIY Mini Light Box from Play Trains!
• DIY Jumbo Dice
• Homemade Light Bright Tabletop
• DIY Color Blocks
• Homemade Shapes and Letter Manipulatives for Light Play
• DIY Colorful Discs for Light Table Play from Teach Preschool
• Homemade Alphabet Stones
• DIY Nature Slides for Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
• Homemade Texture Cards
• DIY Glue Shapes, Letters, & Numbers for Light Table Play from Teach Preschool

Open Ended Light Box Ideas for Kids

One of the boys' favorite things to do on the light table is to explore and create with loose parts or engage in open-ended dramatic play.  Check out these great ideas!

• Loose Parts on the Light Table
• Making Faces on the Light Table
• Trains and Tracks for Light Table Play from Play Trains!
• Frog Pond Small World
• Colored Cups and Glass Stones on the Light Table from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
• Invitation to Create Monsters & Robots
• Shower Curtain Rings and Glass Stones
• Penguin Habitat on Light Table from Caution! Twins at Play
• Building Spiderwebs on the Light Table
• Sensory Bin on the Light Table from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
• Blokus Pieces on the Light Box
• Light Table Block Play from Caution! Twins at Play
• Tube Shots on the Light Box
• Water Beads & Glass Gems from Learn Play Imagine

Fine Motor Light Table Ideas

Light tables are a great way to develop fine motor skills in toddlers and preschoolers.  And there is seriously a wide variety of activities that focus on fine motor skills on the light table including:

• Light Bright Geoboard
• Fine Motor Station on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
• Pool Noodles and Pegs on the Light Table
• Cutting Paper on the Light Table from Teach Preschool
• DIY Light Bright Using Styrofoam
• Threading Straws on the Light Table
• Cutting Water Beads on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Tracing lines on the light table from Teach Preschool
• Monster Munch Fine Motor Game from Lalymom
• Geoboard Light Table Play: Letters & Shapes from Where Imagination Grows

Color & Shape Learning Light Table Activities

Here are some great ways to work on colors and shapes on the light table.

• Olympic Color Sorting on the Light Table
• Shape Sorting on the Light Table
• Building a Rainbow on the Light Table
• Exploring Red on the Light Box from Lalymom
• Color Sorting on the Light Table
• Shape Puzzles on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom

Math & Science Light Table Activities

From counting to fractions to science experiments, these ideas will be sure to spark hours of math and science fun!

• Introducing Fractions on the Light Table from Still Playing School
• Explore Basic Physics with Ramps on the Light Table
• Learn About Constellations on the Light Table
• Seashell Number Match on the Light Table from An Idea on Tuesday
• Counting Circles on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Counting on the Light Box
• Color Mixing on the Light table from Still Playing School
• Color Mixing on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Experimenting with Ice, Colored Water, and Salt on the light table from Happily Ever Mom

Literacy Activities on the Light Table

Learn the alphabet, practice sight words, or bring stories to life with these fun ideas!

• Storytelling on the Light Table
• Sight Word Practice on the Light Table from Still Playing School
• Matching Upper and Lower Case Letters on Light Table from Teach Preschool
• Alphabet Cups on the Light Table from The Imagination Tree
• Goodnight Moon Light Box Activities from Twodaloo
• Light Table Story Stones from Caution! Twins at Play
• Spelling on the Light Box
• Silly Putty Sight Word Search from Learn Play Imagine
• Bubble Wrap Literacy on the Light Table from De Tout et De Rien
• Creating with Hearts Based on the Book "My Heart is Like a Zoo" from Still Playing School 

Music & Art Inspired Light Table Ideas

Light tables can be a fantastic way to explore music and art.  Try some of these ideas:

• Sticky Art on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
• Art Appreciation on Light Table
• Washi Tape Art on the Light Table
• Mondrian on the Light Box from Lalymom
• Music Note Matching on Light Table
• Music Play on the Overhead Projector - could be done on the light table too!
• Melted Pony Bead Puppets on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
• Painting on the Light Table from Teach Preschool
• Kandinsky Jello Art on the Light Box from Lalymom

Seasonal Light Table Activities

Christmas, Valentine's, Thanksgiving, Canada Day, fall...you name the season or holiday, I bet I can find you some light table activity!  If not, I will come up with one!  In the meantime, check out these seasonal light table activities:

• Valentine's Light Table Play
• Heart Cookie Cutters on the Light Table
• Invitation to play with Hearts and Straws
• Valentine's Day Sensory Play on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Canadian Flag on the Light Box
• Sorting and Counting Apples on the Light Table
• Turkey Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
• Halloween Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
• Sticky Fall Tree on the Light Table
• Pumpkin Faces on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Indian Corn Patterns on the Light Table from Still Playing School
• Pumpkin Counting on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Jack-O-Lantern Light Table Play
• Fall Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
• Fall Harvest Numbers on the Light Table from Caution! Twins at Play
• Tissue Paper Cornucopia Craft on the Light Box from Stir the Wonder
• Tracing Christmas Shapes on Light Table
• Winter Sensory Play on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
• Snowflakes on the Light Table and 14 Other Winter and Christmas Activities
• Christmas Light Patterns on the Light Table
• Winter Sensory Bin on Light Table
• Egg Carton Snowmen on the Light Table from Still Playing School
• Christmas Themed Light Table Play
• Christmas Tree and Snowman Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
• Christmas Trees on the Light Table from An Idea on Tuesday
• Christmas Tree Cup Stacking from De Tout et De Rien
• Stackable Egg Carton Snowmen on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
• Building Snowflakes on the Light Table from Still Playing School

DIY Color Blocks for Kids

Tutorial for how to make your own set of DIY color blocks for light play. A video tutorial is included.

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My kids enjoy playing with light, whether it's exploring natural light or mirrors or playing with our DIY light table.

So oftentimes, I find myself creating homemade materials to aide them in their curiousness of light play.

These DIY color blocks are just one of the many homemade light table toys that I have made. At just a fraction of the cost, these color blocks can be made in just a few minutes with simple materials from the dollar store.

They're so pretty and way cheaper than the store bought versions.

About Our Homemade Color Blocks for Light Play

I have always admired color blocks.  I think they are gorgeous on light tables and overhead projectors, but even more beautiful in natural light.  I just don't like the price tag that goes along with them.  Sure, color blocks aren't all that expensive, but when you think about what they are actually made of, I figured I could make something similar for much cheaper.

And I did!

My price tag: $3.00.

Only three dollars?!  Well, actually I could have done it for $1.50 if I had bought my supplies at the dollar store versus the liquidation center.  Next time...darn it...next time!

Tutorial for How to Make DIY Color Blocks from Dollar Store Wooden Blocks

To make these blocks, you will need a game of wooden tumbling towers (aka Jenga).  Mine were $3.00, but like I said, I found them cheaper at the dollar store.

You will also need some colorful translucent duotangs or transparencies (also found at the dollar store).  I used the leftover transparencies from my homemade light table manipulatives.

Then grab some scissors and your hot glue gun.  I promise these are really easy to make.

To make one block, you will need eight wood blocks from the tumbling towers "jenga" game and a piece of colored transparency.

1. Arrange four blocks into a square shape and hot glue gun it together so that it looks like a picture frame.

2. Cut a piece of transparency so that it's big enough to cover the middle of the "picture frame."

3. Lightly glue the transparency into place, just so that it won't move on you.

4. Then create another picture frame shape with the remaining four blocks.

5. Hot glue it onto the picture frame with the transparency on it.  I didn't take pictures along the way, but you can always watch the accompanying video tutorial for an overview of how to assemble the blocks.

Repeat multiple times, using a different colored transparency for each block.  I ended up with six blocks in each of the following colors: orange, yellow, clear, green, blue, and purple.

Playing with our Homemade Color Blocks for Kids

The only downside (or limitation) to my homemade version of the color blocks is that I could only make little rectangles or squares.  No semi-circles or triangles for me, but I'm okay with that because I love how mine turned out.  And more importantly, the boys love them!

They work great on the light table.

They would also work great with the overhead projector, but I think I love them the most in natural light. Seriously, look at how wonderful they look in front of a window.  Gorgeous!

And that's it!  Simple, frugal, and fabulous!

Other Ideas You'll Love

DIY Light Table Tutorial

Homemade Light Table Shape & Letter Manipulatives

Homemade Letter Stones

100 Ways for Kids to Play & Learn with Light

My kids have always enjoyed light table activities and mirror play. And I'm pretty sure every kid on the planet enjoys playing with a flashlight!

There's just something appealing about light play for kids.

So to get you inspired to explore light and reflections with your own children (or class if you're a teacher!), I have put together this impressive list of 100 light table activities, natural light activities, and mirror play ideas for kids.

Back in late 2013, I joined forces with some other bloggers to create the Light & Reflections series. A collection of ways for kids to play and learn with light and reflections, this series continued until the end of 2015. A couple of new bloggers were added along the way to bring you even more amazing light play ideas for kids. In fact, we brought you exactly 100 amazing ways for kids to play and learn with light over the course of the series.

To make it easier to browse, I have arranged these 100 light play ideas for kids into common themes and seasons, including holidays like Christmas, topics like science, and units like all about me.

Literacy Light Play Ideas for Kids: Alphabet, Nursery Rhymes, & Fairy Tales

Whether you want to work on identifying letters, spelling your name, or exploring themes like nursery rhymes or fairy tales, these literacy based light play ideas are loads of fun!

1. Humpty Dumpty Light Table Play (pictured)
2. 10 in a Bed Silhouettes Nursery Rhymes from Frog in a Pocket
3. Itsy Bitsy Spider Window Activity (pictured) from Where Imagination Grows
4. Nursery Rhyme Retelling Slides on the Light Table from Still Playing School
5. Fairy Tale Sentence Building with Free Printable
6. Jack & the Beanstalk Window Retelling from Still Playing School
7. Fairy Tales Crown Math Game from Where Imagination Grows
8. Fairy Castles on the Light Table (pictured) from Frog in a Pocket
9. Alphabet Sorting on the Light Table
10. Helping Kids Learn Their Name with Personalized Suncatchers from Happily Ever Mom
11. Mirror Literacy: Exploring Symmetry in Letters from Still Playing School
12. Light Table Letter Search from Where Imagination Grows
13. Tracing Letters on Mirrors
14. Flashlight Alphabet Game (pictured) from Happily Ever Mom
15. Geoboard Letters on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows

Art Light Play Ideas for Kids

Get ready to create some beautiful arts and crafts that take advantage of natural light, such as our suncatcher ideas, or try creating some process art on the light table.

1. Play Dough Window Art (pictured)
2. DIY Glowing Scratch Art Paper (pictured) from Still Playing School
3. Painting with Light (pictured) from Frog in a Pocket
4. Chalk Art on the Light Table (pictured) from Where Imagination Grows
5. Abstract Window Art (pictured)
6. No Mess Painting on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
7. Sand Art on the Light Table (pictured) from Still Playing School
8. Glue Art on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
9. Washi Tape Art on the Light Table
10. Melted Pony Bead & Tissue Paper Suncatcher (pictured) from Happily Ever Mom
11. Ladybug Suncatcher from Happily Ever Mom
12. Light Table Nature Mosaics with Loose Parts from Where Imagination Grows

Math Light Play Ideas for Kids

From counting to fractions, kids of all ages will love learning about math with these epic light play ideas.

1. Learning to Tell Time on the Light Table
2. Hundred Chart Patterns on the Light Table from Still Playing School
3. Train Your Brain Number Trails from Frog in a Pocket
4. DIY Jumbo Math Dice for Light Table Play
5. Shape Puzzles: Early Learning on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
6. Introducing Fractions on the Light Table from Still Playing School
7. Snowball Counters: Counting Circles on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
8. Giant Window Calculator from Still Playing School

Science & STEM Light Play Ideas for Kids

You can use light and mirrors to explore all sorts of scientific concepts. From simple engineering activities to science experiements, these STEM light play ideas are brilliant and fun!

1. Scoop & Pour Serving Practice on the Light Table (pictured) from Still Playing School
2. Sink or Float Science on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
3. Experimenting with Ice, Colored Water, & Salt on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
4. Bubbling Color Mixing on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
5. Oil & Water Experiment on the Light Table from Still Playing School
6. Animal Science with X-Rays on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
7. Experimenting with Light from Frog in a Pocket
8. Building 3D Shapes on Windows
9. Building with Straws on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
10. Fairy Land: Building with Recycled Materials on the Light Table from Still Playing School
11. Exploring Symmetry: Building with Rainbow Blocks on a Mirror from Where Imagination Grows

All About Me Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

If you're looking to add some ideas to your all about me theme in preschool or kindergarten, then you'll certainly want to try these unique light play ideas!

1. Body Tracing Self-Portrait Mirror Drawings
2. All About Me Baby Play Station from Happily Ever Mom
3. All About My Feelings: Identifying Emotions with Self-Portraits from Still Playing School
4. Photo Puzzles on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
5. Reggio Mirror Self-Portraits from Racheous

Under the Sea Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

Maybe you're planning an under the sea theme for preschool or kindergarten? Well, if you are, then you'll certainly want to check out these ideas. Or hello, shark week! That shark suncatcher will be a perfect collaborative project for that occasion!

1. Giant Shark Suncatcher Craft
2. Fish Color Matching on the Light Table from Still Playing School
3. Under the Sea Small World on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows

Transportation Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

Keep these ideas in mind if you are planning a transportation theme for preschool or kindergarten.

1. Traffic Light Suncatcher Craft & Light Table Play
2. Airplane Color Sorting on the Light Table from Still Playing School
3. Busy City on the Light Table from Frog in a Pocket
4. Window Race Track from Happily Ever Mom

Fine Motor Skills & Practical Life Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

Need to target fine motor skills? Here are some fun ways to target them on the light table.

1. Teaching Kids How to Set the Table on the Light Table
2. DIY Photo Lace Cards for Building Fine Motor Skills from Happily Ever Mom
3. Weaving with Straws on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows

Music Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

Want to get a bit musical with your light play? These ideas will certainly get the kids moving and exploring!

1. Homemade Glowing Floor Piano
2. Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Shakers from Happily Ever Mom
3. Musical Water Experiments on the Light Table from Still Playing School

Gross Motor Light Play Ideas for Kids

Need the kids to burn some energy? Try these fun light play ideas that will get the kids moving.

1. Ball in a Box Gross Motor Boredom Buster
2. Mimicking Movement with Mirrors from Where Imagination Grows

Pretend Play Light Play Ideas for Kids

Inspire hours of imaginative play with these wonderful light play ideas for kids.

1. Frog Pond Small World on the Light Table
2. Pony Bead Puppets on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
3. DIY Shadow Puppets from Where Imagination Grows
4. Vet Office Pretend Play from Still Playing School

Sensory Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

Want some tactile sensory input? These ideas combine tactile with light for some really unique and fun sensory experiences!

1. Animal Prints Sensory Mirror Process Art
2. Black Light Play: Shaving Cream That Glows from Where Imagination Grows

Spring & Easter Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

If you're looking for seasonal light play ideas for spring and Easter, you'll certainly want to give these ideas a try!

1. Flower Mandalas on the Light Table with Free Printable (pictured)
2. Sticky Window Flower Garden (pictured) from Still Playing School
3. Mosaic Flower Art Window Collage from Where Imagination Grows
4. Sticky Flowers on the Light Table (pictured) from Happily Ever Mom
5. Spring Mirror Drawings
6. Touch & Feel Spring Suncatchers from Happily Ever Mom
7. Easter Eggs on the Light Table from Still Playing School
8. Spring Light Table Sensory Bin from Where Imagination Grows

Fall & Halloween Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

From pumpkins to Halloween, these fall and autumn inspired light play ideas are sure to please the kiddos!

1. Pumpkin Addition on the Light Table
2. Pumpkin Patch Small World on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
3. Fall Tic Tac Toe on the Light Table
4. Counting & Adding Acorns on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
5. Autumn Lanterns from Frog in a Pocket
6. Halloween Sensory Play on the Light Table
7. Five Little Pumpkins on the Light Table from Still Playing School
8. Halloween ABC Learning on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows

Winter & Christmas Themed Light Play Ideas for Kids

From snowflakes and Christmas trees, here are some wonderul ways to celebrate the winter season through light play.

1. Winter Math Tray on the Light Table
2. Winter Mirror Box Play from Still Playing School
3. Igloo Craft & Arctic Small World on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
4. Christmas Science on the Light Table
5. Retelling "The Mitten" on the Light Table from Still Playing School
6. Arctic Animal Small World on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
7. Christmas Tree Activity from Happily Ever Mom
8. Tracing Christmas Shapes on the Light Table
9. Stackable Egg Carton Snowmen on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom
10. Christmas Tree & Snowmen Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
11. Exploring Symmetry with Snowflakes in a DIY Mirror Box
12. Christmas Counting Puzzles on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows

Light Table Play with Q-Ba-Maze

One toy that has been on our light table toy wishlist for awhile is the Q-Ba-Maze, a translucent marble maze building set with cube shaped pieces. I've seriously been waiting for my boys to be a bit older, especially with J's oral sensory seeking, because mouthing the marbles was a concern. However, a few months before Christmas, I found a set of them at Homesense or Winners (I forget which one) for such an incredible deal, that I couldn't pass it up.

I knew that my boys would enjoy building with them off of the light table. And they have already built quite a few marble runs together with myself and my husband. But I personally couldn't wait to build with Q-Ba-Maze on the light table, taking full advantage of the fact that the pieces are translucent.

And they look gorgeous.

This post contains affiliate links.

Q-Ba-Maze Building on the Light Table

All that's needed for this activity is a Q-Ba-Maze 2.0 set and a light table.

Q-Ba-Maze 2.0 Big Box Set

Together, the boys and I built some different marble runs with a lot of trial and error. And giggles. Lots and lots of giggles because the marbles would roll around everywhere.

However, we built a staircase-inspired marble run. And was it ever a lot of fun!

Not only is the building of the marble run great for fine motor skill development, but so is manipulating the tiny marbles to go down the run.

Other Ideas You'll Love

Building Colorful Towers on the Light Table

Shape Building Challenge on the Light Table

Building with Wedgits

Exploring & Building Ramps on the Light Table

Shape Building Challenge on the Light Table

With colder winter temperatures comes more indoor play, which inevitably means more light table activities in our house. 

Six year old J, in particular, has been showing a renewed interest in playing on the DIY light table. In fact, as soon as we get home from school, he runs downstairs to the playroom to do some light play. It's his way of calming down after a busy day at school. I've always said that light table play is calming for kids.

Lately, J really enjoys exploring and playing with the translucent cocktail stirrers on the light table. I've occasionally found him chewing on them too, but that's a whole other issue. Usually, like 90% of the time, he manipulates the stirrers to create numbers and other math related things, which is why we recently did this shape building light table activity together.

This post contains affiliate links.

Shape Building Light Table Activity for Kids

For this shape building light table challenge, we used:

• Magformers
• Translucent cocktail stirrers from the dollar store (similar to these)

Simply create a shape using the Magformers on the light table and encourage your kids to recreate them using the same colors (if possible). Or have the kids create their own shapes and recreate them as well. So for instance, my boys created blue squares to match the blue square Magformers.

You can also combine different Magformers to create more complex shapes like houses or triangle patterns.

The kids can also explore color mixing with the cocktail stirrers, especially if they are trying to match the stirrers' colors to the Magformers. My boys layered two cocktail stirrers to create purple and orange to match the Magformers, for example.

Then be sure to keep experimenting with more elaborate and complex shapes as you please. The possibilities are endless!

Other Ideas You'll Love

Roman Numerals on the Light Table

Fine Motor Light Table Activity

Tally Marks Math on the Light Table

Tic Tac Toe on the Light Table