Since my original post on creating my own light table, I have received all kinds of wonderful ideas on how to improve on my plan.
I thought I should share the ideas with you so you can decide what will work best for you…
The first suggestion was to paint the inside of my plastic container with a silver paint so to help contain and reflect the light inside the container. I used a plastic primer and then a metallic paint to paint the inside of my plastic container.
The next suggestion was to paint the bottom of the lid of the container with a frost paint. I found a frost paint at Lowes and tried it out.
I also decided to try different types of battery operated lights. These lights are florescent lights from Walmart. They do cost more money but I bought four of them and added batteries.
I actually bought two short and two long (the short ones were cheaper). Here they are inside the box without the lid.
The florescent lights are a little brighter so I laid them on their sides around the edges.
What I really like…
- I love using battery operated lights so I can set the light box anywhere I want in the room. I can set it on a table or on the floor. I wont leave the lights on too long at a time so I am hoping the batteries will last for awhile.
- I like that the basket is lite weight and durable.
- I like that I can store my light table supplies inside the plastic box and put it all away easily.
- I like the florescent lights better than the button lights for this but I still plan to use my button lights too.
- I really like that metallic paint  I am thinking it would be fun to use for other ideas down the road. I could make my own play pizza pans:)
What I don’t like…
- Having to buy so many AA batteries but the payoff of being able to move the light box anywhere I want is worth it to me.
- The frost paint was a little blotchy in spots but it worked well enough.
I have a few more ideas to share with you on things you can make to explore on top of the light table but it will be a week or so before I can get them all ready to share. Â I hope this is helpful to you all as you plan your own light tables. If you have any other suggestions or light table ideas – leave a link below to your light table ideas. Â For now – I am happy with how this turned out and plan to introduce it in the classroom very soon.
To see the original light table post, click here!
To see how I made the colorful discs on top of the light table click here!