10 easy and fun ways to engage older kids in light play activities.

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It often feels like when it comes to sensory activities, older kids get left out. Like their sensory needs just disappear when they are a tween or teen, right? No, they don’t! Light play activities are popular and beneficial for all. But take a look around on the internet and it often seems like most of the light play activities are geared for toddlers and preschoolers. Let’s fix that. Light play activities for older children are important too.

Mind you, if a child enjoys an activity, I say let them enjoy it. I think that it’s fine for older kids to enjoy Sesame Street, Thomas or anything really. I like to have an opportunity though, to encourage my child to enjoy things that are more age appropriate. And, even though I don’t have a problem with older kids liking younger-kid things, it doesn’t mean that they all necessarily like them.

Benefits of Light Play

• fulfills sensory need
• helps brighten a dark day
• often the child can maintain focus longer
• beneficial for many visual impairments such as CVI
• calming effect
• entertaining
• versatile
• educating them, and they usually don’t know it!
• can be used for multiple disciplines: sensory, science, language, fine motor, math, possibilities endless!

So, water beads, science experiments, planets, ice and oil experiments, I have rounded up 22 Light Play Activities for older kids. Many parents think that they are going to have to go out and invest in expensive equipment like a light table. Nope! Light play can be done with many items that you already have at home.


Enjoy!

22 Light Play Activities for Older Kids

1. Glow in the Dark Sand by Growing a Jeweled Rose
2. Soda Bottle Lantern by Juggling with Kids
3. Glowing Ice & Oil Experiment by Growing a Jeweled Rose
4. Color Mixing with Light Refraction by De-Tout-Et-De-Rien
5. Glowing Cloud Dough by Growing a Jeweled Rose
6. Glowing Ice & Salt Experiment by Growing a Jeweled Rose
7. Make Your Own Black Light Water Beads by Epic Childhood
8. Glowing Rainbow Water by Growing a Jeweled Rose
9. Window Art with Glue & Food Coloring by Still Parenting
10. Oil Sun Catcher by Education
11. DIY Big Lite Brite by Tinkerlab
12. Glow in the Dark Sensory Alphabet by Still Playing School
13. Glowing Eggs by Epic Childhood
14. Glowing Dough by Lemon Lime Adventures
15. Glowing Magic Milk Experiment by Learn Play Imagine
16. Float or Sink Experiment on Light Table by I Should Be Mopping the Floor
17. Push Light Planets by Play at Home Mom LLC
18. Fractions with Pattern Blocks on Light Table by Still Playing School
19. Rainbow Salt Writing Tray on Light Table by Where Imagination Grows
20. Lava Lamp Sensory Bags by Growing a Jeweled Rose
21. Glowing Rainbow Rice by Growing a Jeweled Rose
22. What to do with Water Beads by Artful Parent

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