I’m sorry. I don’t know the exact dimensions, Annemarie. I wrote this post years ago, and have since purchased new containers. Worst case, you can turn the container upside down, and use the bottom as the table top. 🙂

I don’t know either but I have seen other bloggers pour sand/salt/shaving cream in the upside down lid or a tray on top and let the kids use different tools to draw and write on it which would add tactile & fine motor components. I haven’t seen it done done but it just occurred to me to let them paint water colors on the lid (or maybe on wax paper) like stained glass and then wash it off. You could also lay a peg board on top and have your own light bright.

You’re welcome, Diane! Hope you give it a try!

Fantastic, Joanna! I’m so glad you’re able to make one for your little one! I’d love to see a photo. 🙂

If you find they’re too bright, try taping a piece of waxed paper or tracing paper to the inside of the lid of the box. That will soften the light a bit. Also, make sure your container is not clear/see through. It will really softnen the light if it’s opaque-white. Good luck!

I just dropped you an email, Rebekah. I’ve never noticed any odour from ours, and we have several of them. I don’t know what that would be from. Maybe exchange for a new one and see if that one does it too?

That’s awesome, Lorelei! I love it when we come up with inexpensive ways to make knock-offs at home! Yay, you!!!

You’re welcome! I find more and more, I’m thinking “outside of the box” to come up ways to make these things for minimal $$. I’d go broke if I had to go out and buy all the cool stuff at full price. lol Hope your little one has fun with it!

Yay You is right, Pam!! Don’t you just love using good old brain power to make something so awesome!! So happy it worked out so well for you, and that you’re all enjoying it your classroom!! Good job! 🙂

Karyn, your light looks like it will be just fine! 3.99!! Nice find!! Let us know how it goes, and if you’re happy with it, I’ll spread the word about your light. Thanks so much for sending the link! Good luck with your light box!!

I think an opaque box might diffuse the light in a different way, and you can’t see the mechanics of what’s inside the box which is kind of nice. Having said that however, I had someone comment yesterday that theirs is a box with a clear lid and they like it better than the white boxes, so I might just come down to personal preference. Give it a shot and see how you like it. The great thing is, it’s not a huge investment if you decide to switch to opaque. 🙂 So glad you’re giving it a try! Good for you!

I found this light at Harbor Freight Tools, Does it look like it would provide enough light?

I’ll let you know, I’m going to give it a try for $3.99! 🙂

http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html

Hi Irina. I can’t answer for others who knew about the light box long before I stumbled upon it, but in my own opinion, it’s not an “important” part of normal development. It just looked like a heck of a lot of fun; something really interesting, and different than anything else we play with, and I wanted to add one to my daycare without spending a fortune. Hope that helps. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to have a look. 🙂

I saw one with xmas lights in it! Was it yours? It looked great. You’re right about us all being able to have one! I love it when we figure out how to make a knock off of something great for a fraction of the cost!