#MAKE A LIGHT TABLE PORTABLE#

They are meant to open up a whole new light (no pun intended) to whatever you put on it for play, fun, and learning.

Harsh, intensely bright light is not what a light table or light box should be. They are meant to make X-Rays visible to a Doctor or Surgeon, the light is very bright. An X-Ray box is slightly worse because of how harsh the light is. So we had to also put a clear sterlite box on top of the light table and put whatever we were playing with inside of it. Only the transparent contact paper would work and honestly it did not work too well.

However, white was too opaque and would not work at all. I had to put contact paper over it to dull the light a bit. Obviously this makes it a bad choice for a light box. It is meant to have sketch paper placed on it so that you can see what you are drawing or tracing. It seemed like it was NOT meant for direct light use.

I thought I was a real wise gal and thought I was saving money by buying an artists light box. An example of this would be an artists light table for sketching and drawing. It makes for very unappealing light box playtime. Lastly, you don't want a light box that provides a really harsh bright light. A light box or light table should not be so dimly lit or overly opaque that you have to adjust the pictures you take of your children playing with the light box to make the light look brighter before posting it to your instagram, blog, facebook, or other places that you post your photos online. You can see an example of a blue hue coming through the top of a light box here.Ī light table/box should NEVER have a completely transparent top!ĭo yourself and your kids a favor, no see-through top home made light boxes!! Please also consider that a light box or light table should not have visible lines or circles from the light or lights that are inside the box or table. You definitely don't want to use an LED tap light or strip light that makes a blue hue of circles through the top of your light box/table. I have only found one brand of incandescent tap lights and LED strip lights that do not cause harsh lights, visible light source spots, or uneven distribution of light. Many of the smaller LED strip lights are also a bad choice. Most all incandescent or LED tap lights, and Christmas lights are generally a bad choice for a light source when you are making a light table or light box. You can remind yourself of this by simply staring at a light bulb for two minutes, how are you seeing now? lots of spots eh? The example pictures I have below are making me see spots! It is not a wise idea to have your child staring directly down into a light bulb, tap light, strip light, LED light, or set of Christmas lights for any period of time. If you see a tutorial online to make a cheap light box and the light box has a totally see through top, you do not want to make that light box. The only problem is that in the long run they could pose a threat to the children's vision. I have seen many pictures on blogs, facebook, and on pinterest of cheaply made light boxes made by parents with the very best intentions for their kids. If you make or buy a light table or light box with harsh bright light showing through, poorly distributed light, visible light lines, not enough opaqueness, too much opaqueness, or one that has a completely transparent top, it could do damage over time. The BIG problem with DIY Light Tables and Light Boxes Following a few guidelines will help tremendously. You could end up giving your child a gift that seems really cool at first, but ends up damaging their vision over time. Making a light table or light box is not a bad thing, but there are some issues that could occur with making your own light box or light table. You want to consider that the light table you make or buy could be damaging over a period of time to your children's eyes, These are two very important factors that you want to consider very seriously when choosing a light table or light box. They have the absolute best light distribution and best light tone.

#MAKE A LIGHT TABLE PORTABLE#

My favorite light table options are the Whitney Brothers light tables, and the ultra thin portable light panel made by constructive playthings. If you really want a good breakdown explanation of the different types of light tables and light boxes, your very best bet is to go and read THIS post. If you have ever wondered anything about making or buying a light table or light box, this post is the one for you I have spent the last few years researching Reggio, Montessori, and even some Waldorf.

Make a light table