The Imagination Tree

Creative play and learning for kids

  • Home
  • Start here!
  • Welcome
    • About Me
    • Popular Posts
    • Play Challenge
    • Subscribe
  • Age
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Preschooler
    • School Age
  • Activities
    • Literacy
    • Numeracy
    • Creativity
    • Physical
    • PHSE
    • Science
  • Resources
    • Spaces
    • Toys
    • Books
  • Contact
  • Kindness Elves

Fibre Optic Sensory Cave!

July 2, 2012 by Anna Ranson

Create a wonderful sensory experience for young children using glowing lights in the dark!

We love turning cardboard boxes into fun places to play as they are free and can be turned into anything! They also make great tunnels, dens and caves. A while ago we used a long box to create a dark area for exploring with glow sticks and torches. 
This time we did something similar by creating a dark cave and inserting fibre optic lights through the roof for a wonderful, sensory-rich experience for both the big girls and even baby too!
I bought 3 of these easy function fibre optic lights from eBay, for just 99p each. They are operated by a simple button that changes the colour of the light each time it is pressed. The final option is for the lights to cycle continuously which the girls absolutely LOVE! These are great for early ICT skills and promote lots of thinking and discussion about how exactly they work.
 
I lined 2 sides of the inside of a large cardboard box with tin foil to create a reflective surface. Then I punctured 3 holes in the top of the box using scissors and turned the lights up-side-down and poked them through. 

 Then they took turns to lie inside the “cave”, looking at the amazing glow that filled the dark space (hard to show how dark it was with these pictures!) The other child would stand outside and push the buttons to change the colours, putting on a real light show inside!

 We put a sheepskin rug inside and laid baby Bean in there for a short while so that she could enjoy the lights too. She was mesmerised!

We talked about co-ordinating all the lights to be on the same colour at once and when we did that the cave would glow accordingly and was very effective!

 Cakie loved playing with the lights out of the box too and arranged them, took them apart and quickly found there was a torch shining different coloured lights from the centre. (This was all very safe, don’t worry!)

 They then explored the coloured light shadows and patterns they could create on the dark walls and floors!

Learning Links:
  • ICT: operating equipment with simple functions, exploring how things work and the effects they can create
  • Knowledge and Understanding: light and dark, shadows, torches, using simple tools/ equipment
  • Sensory: explore the world using all of the senses, talk about what they can see and how it makes them feel
Cakie: 3.9
Pop: 2.3
Bean: 18 weeks

Related Posts

  • Taste Safe Digger Sensory Bin for ToddlersTaste Safe Digger Sensory Bin for Toddlers
  • Wash the Muddy Farm Animals Sensory PlayWash the Muddy Farm Animals Sensory Play
  • DIY Sensory Mats for Babies and ToddlersDIY Sensory Mats for Babies and Toddlers
  • Colour Theme Baby Treasure Basket
  • Sensory Play Activities for Babies
  • Baby Sensory Play: Raspberry SpaghettiBaby Sensory Play: Raspberry Spaghetti

Filed Under: Baby, cardboard box, Glow in the dark, ICT, Knowledge and Understanding, Light, Science, Sensory, Shadows Tagged With: Baby Play, Sensory Play

« Pinkalicious: Pink Cloud Dough Cup Cakes!
Ideas for Summer Time Fun for Kids on It’s Playtime! »

Comments

  1. Bethany says

    July 2, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Wow, Anna! What a creative, fun idea! I absolutely love it.

  2. mummysknee.com says

    July 2, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    What an amazing idea. Will get on eBay tomorrow

  3. Naomi @ Upcycled Creatively says

    July 3, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I LOVE this idea! Baby Bean looks so cute in the light cave 🙂

  4. L says

    July 3, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    I love this idea and intend to pinch it when my Bean is born. Any other ideas for things to do with tiny babies?

  5. JDaniel4's Mom says

    July 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    This looks like so much fun! It looks like they had a great time exploring light!

  6. Brightonstarfish says

    January 17, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    This is absolutely brilliant :), my 6 month old loves the sensory rooms at the children centres and now I can give him a taste of it at home. Ive only just stumbled on your website today but I can see me following it constantly. Thank you so much, as a mum that has just gone back to work its great that I can get ideas that are quick and easy to make the time we have together even more speacial.

  7. LaDonna says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:39 am

    Would it be possible for you to share the Ebay seller you bought the lights from? Thanks so much.

  8. Anonymous says

    March 8, 2013 at 6:04 am

    Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast!

    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate
    link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    Here is my site … Sushi EN Orlando

  9. Anonymous says

    March 8, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Hiya. I noticed your blog title, “Blogger: The Imagination Tree” doesn’t really reflect the content of your site. When creating your site title, do you think it’s
    most beneficial to write it for SEO or for your readers?
    This is something I’ve been battling with simply because I want great rankings but at the same time I want the best quality for my website visitors.

    Also visit my blog post; gas furnace comfort

  10. Anonymous says

    March 8, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    I think what you posted was very logical. However, what about this?
    what if you added a little information? I am not suggesting your
    information isn’t solid., however suppose you added something that makes people desire more? I mean “Fibre Optic Sensory Cave!” is a little boring. You ought to peek at Yahoo’s front
    page and watch how they create article titles to grab people interested.

    You might try adding a video or a related pic or
    two to grab people excited about everything’ve written. In my opinion, it would make your posts a little bit more interesting.

    my web-site … chiropractic care for children With autism
    my website – chiropractor spinal manipulation

  11. Anonymous says

    March 8, 2013 at 11:43 pm

    I love what you guys are usually up too. Such clever
    work and exposure! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal blogroll.

    Also visit my blog – rheem furnace

  12. Anonymous says

    March 9, 2013 at 7:03 am

    Hello! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    My site … short term apartment rental new york city

  13. Anonymous says

    March 9, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to look
    it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Wonderful blog and fantastic design and style.

    Review my page :: Sushi Restaurant

  14. Anonymous says

    March 9, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your website.
    It appears as if some of the written text in your content are running off
    the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening
    to them as well? This might be a problem with my
    internet browser because I’ve had this happen before. Thank you

    Feel free to surf to my site :: lennox furnace troubleshooting

  15. Anonymous says

    March 11, 2013 at 5:40 am

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just what I’m looking
    for. Do you offer guest writers to write content to suit your
    needs? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome web log!

    Feel free to surf to my website; exercises for vertigo and dizziness
    my page – lifetime fitness houston

  16. Anonymous says

    March 11, 2013 at 6:45 am

    It’s an awesome article in support of all the online users; they will get advantage from it I am sure.

    Stop by my web site – http://kharek.com/member.php?u=20270

  17. Anonymous says

    March 12, 2013 at 3:01 am

    Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.

    The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Chrome.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you
    know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon.

    Cheers

    Also visit my website: fashion square mall sherman oaks

  18. Anonymous says

    March 12, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Hi are using WordPress for your site platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own.
    Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage craniomandibular osteopathy

  19. Anonymous says

    March 13, 2013 at 12:56 am

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems with your
    website. It appears like some of the text in your posts are running off the screen.
    Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?

    This might be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before. Appreciate it

    Take a look at my web page … radiculopathy treatment

  20. Anonymous says

    March 13, 2013 at 2:54 am

    constantly i used to read smaller content which as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this
    paragraph which I am reading now.

    Feel free to surf to my blog :: myofascial pain in feet

  21. Anonymous says

    March 13, 2013 at 10:51 am

    Amazing! Its actually awesome piece of writing, I have got much clear idea on the topic of
    from this post.

    Also visit my web page – speech therapist books

  22. Anonymous says

    March 13, 2013 at 11:38 am

    Terrific work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the web.
    Disgrace on Google for not positioning this put up upper!
    Come on over and visit my web site . Thank you =)

    Also visit my website physical therapy schools in michigan

  23. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2013 at 7:34 am

    Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure
    why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

    Here is my website – radii footwear coupons

  24. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2013 at 11:42 am

    Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers
    and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Also visit my website – golden state activewear apparel
    my web page: discount workout gear

  25. Anonymous says

    March 20, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    I think this is among the most important info for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

    Look at my website – nimphc.com

  26. Anonymous says

    March 21, 2013 at 2:54 am

    Highly energetic article, I liked that a lot. Will there be
    a part 2?

    Have a look at my web-site: micahmoney.com

  27. Anonymous says

    March 21, 2013 at 3:00 am

    Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve consider your stuff prior to and you’re just extremely great.
    I really like what you have received right here, really like
    what you are saying and the way in which you are
    saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to care for to stay it wise. I cant wait to learn much more from you. This is actually a terrific web site.

    Stop by my website foofara.com

  28. Anonymous says

    March 23, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for beginner blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.

    Here is my webpage – commercial heating and cooling

  29. Anonymous says

    March 26, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    Hey there. I was thinking of adding a hyperlink back to your
    blog since both of our sites are based mostly around the same topic.
    Would you prefer I link to you using your site address: http://www.
    blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7552583481051178091&postID=152524062222394394 or web
    site title: Blogger: The Imagination Tree. Be sure to let me know at your earliest
    convenience. Thank you

    Here is my web site … dance shoes for kids uk

  30. Anonymous says

    March 27, 2013 at 7:12 am

    Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your
    content seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The layout look great though! Hope you get the
    issue fixed soon. Many thanks

    Here is my webpage; freescale semiconductor employment verification

The Imagination Tree on FacebookThe Imagination Tree on TwitterThe Imagination Tree on PinterestThe Imagination Tree on G+RSS feed from The Imagination TreeThe Imagination Tree straight to your inbox

Search The Imagination Tree

About The Imagination Tree Hello and welcome! I'm Anna, Mama of 4, early years teacher and play enthusiast from the UK! Click here to read more about me.

The Kindness Elves Store
Play Ideas on The Imagination Tree

Create with The Imagination Tree

Makes on The Imagination Tree

Sign up for our FREE emails:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT