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September 7, 2010 | 8 Comments

DIY Light Box

by Katy

Whenever I’m thinking up posts to write for No Time for Flash Cards, I try to think of things that are good for special needs kids, but can be fun for any kid. When I saw Allie was doing an earth craft with her son the other day, I knew I should share this light box activity.

Kids with low vision are often given a chance to “practice” using their eyes in a nice calm environment. Light boxes are a great way to do this, but hoo-wee are they expensive. Like always, I developed this method to make one on the cheap.

You will need a print out of planet earth. I Googled “earth” and found one easily. You will also need tape, an empty soda box (or similar), a flashlight, a pen, a pair of scissors, and a knife.

First you need to cut off one of the long sides of the soda box.

On the opposite side of the box, in the center, you will want to cut out a hole that is slightly smaller than your earth picture. To cut the hole, I used my knife to get it started and then finished with a pair of scissors.

Then tape your earth picture to the outside of the box, with the earth picture facing in.

Next, take your pen and poke holes in the box all around the earth cut out.

Take you box into a dark room and place the flashlight behind the earth. If you’ve got a strong flashlight like I did, it might help to dim it a little with a paper towel.

And there you go–the most-magical Diet Coke box I’ve ever seen. This could easily be adapted for other planets or even the entire solar system if you were feeling up to it.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Katy is a mom of one who loves art, mystery novels, and anything involving peanut butter”“she blogs about raising her little miracle at Bird on the Street.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Age: Toddlers, Earth Day, Katy, Light Box, Preschool Crafts, Space, Special Needs | 8 Comments

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8 Comments

  1. Erin says

    September 7, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    So fun!

    to Erin" aria-label='reply to this comment to Erin'>reply to this comment
  2. Maria says

    September 8, 2010 at 5:08 am

    This is really a great idea. I think my kids will love it. I have followed your blog for years. You do a great job.

    to Maria" aria-label='reply to this comment to Maria'>reply to this comment
  3. Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child says

    September 8, 2010 at 6:53 am

    What a great idea!!!
    .-= Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child´s last blog ..Make It- Mini Chalkboard =-.

    to Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child'>reply to this comment
  4. Darcey says

    January 2, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    What a great idea! I always like when you can make something yourself instead of spending lots of money on it. It looks like it’d be fun for the kids to play with too. I’ve included your post in my weekly favorites here: http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekly-favorites-for-january-2-2011.html

    to Darcey" aria-label='reply to this comment to Darcey'>reply to this comment
  5. Gina says

    January 6, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Good idea! I have a nephew that’s in love with all things space. I think I’ll make him one of these and put all the planets on a wheel to attach to the box so he can use it like those click picture viewers.

    to Gina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Gina'>reply to this comment
  6. Sara says

    November 3, 2012 at 8:19 am

    Could you do this for the phases of the moon?

    to Sara" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sara'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      November 3, 2012 at 11:59 am

      Absolutely!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  7. John says

    March 6, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    I think I just found an art project for my son.

    to John" aria-label='reply to this comment to John'>reply to this comment

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