Then I heard about a tutorial floating around the internet where someone converted a train table to a light table! (You’re awesome, Minivan or Clown Car?) We have one of those ridiculously large train tables taking up space in our playroom anyway. We use it for a million different things everyday…why not add a light function to make that a million and one.
Unfortunately, the tutorial on Minivan or Clown Car? was for a different style of table so we had to pretty much just start from scratch. If you scroll down, you’ll see that I had to sacrifice a drawer (the horror!). Jim made up for this by enclosing the two side panels of the table. It kinda sucks that the manufacturer didn’t just enclose them to begin with but what’s a few happy parents in comparison to a couple more dollars profit per table. Boo.
We’ll probably nail the drawer shut, just in case any kid decides to have a lightsaber fight or something.
Light Table
Materials:
– train table
– sheet of plexiglass
– white contact paper
– wood strips
– screwdriver/screws or liquid nails
– 2 slim line florescent lights
Instructions:
3.Cover the back of your plexiglass (cut to the size you need) with white contact paper. This will help diffuse the light and is easier and more efficient than frosting with spray paint.
Ok. So, you have a light table. Now what? Jump over to my Light Table folder on Pinterest to get you started on the ridiculously huge amount of activities you can set up for your child. From sensory activities with water beads to letter practice in sand, the possibilities are endless!
Of course, Max (my 8 month old) is very interested in what all this Light Table fuss is about so if any of you have any ideas on things to do with babies and light tables, I’d be very very interested!
Comments & Reviews
Amy says
I LOVE the idea of adding light table functionality to our existing train table. However, I’m not sure where your lights are: in the drawer which you pull out when you want the light box (which is a great idea), attached to the side of the train table and always available, or something else? It might help to see a picture of the entire train table. Fantastic job and thanks so much for sharing.
bumblev says
Thanks Amy! The lights are actually just sitting in the drawer and we leave them there all the time. When we want to use the light table I just take off the top that came with the table. Hmm, that didn’t make much sense. I’m going to take some more pictures to show you what I mean!
bumblev says
Ok, Amy, I uploaded a few more pictures. Hope they help!
Rosemary says
Some kids have all the luck!!!!!!! Seriously amazing Gotta adapt it and gotta get that grandchild………..
bumblev says
Lol, let me know how your adaptation works out!
Helene W says
First off, LOVE your blog! Second we LOVE your train table/light table. WHAT BRAND IS YOUR TRAIN TABLE? We like this set up and would just love to follow your tutorial, but we cant find a train table with the same configuration.
Thanks in advance!
Vanessa Brady says
Helene, I got mine at Costco but there is the exact same one on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/KIDKRAFT-Airport-Express-Train-Table/dp/B005VTF47O/ref=sr_1_23?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1365977356&sr=1-23&keywords=KidKraft+train+table