Lite-Brite

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The original Lite-Brite

  

As long as I am blogging about the newest version of Lite-Brite, Lite-Brite Magic Screen (worth checking out), I might as well talk about my favorite Lite-Brite version - the original. I had it as a kid and it's still fun to use it today.

I particularly like Lite-Brite in general for finger strength and dexterity (so you need the paper piercing) and working on a slanted surface. The original unit (see image above) has a wide base of support and allows one to work on a slanted surface without having to hold an entire heavy unit upright. In addition, it requires the use of a stabilizer hand so that it does not move as you pierce the paper. The down side of the original is that the pegs sometimes fall out while you are working (not often). Later pegs were designed with a slight bump on opposite sides to better stay in the unit. Hasbro does not sell the originals anymore, and you will have to stumble onto this one at a rummage sale, thrift store or go on eBay if you want one. I found mine at thrift stores and have been lucky enough to find the paper templates also.

Here are my thought on the different Lite-Brite versions:

• Lite-Brite Cube - I don't use the Lite-Brite cube because working on a totally vertical surface can be difficult the closer you get to the bottom.
• Lite-Brite flat screen - I don't like it because it is heavy and difficult to hold vertically while breaking through the paper with a peg. In addition, if working on a flat surface you almost have to start at the top and work down, as pegs placed at the bottom first can obscure the view of the letters above those pegs and make it harder to place them. Placing this unit on a slanted surface will bring the unit into a better view and promote better posture than leaning over a flat screen.
• Lite-Brite Magic Screen - I do like this one. It is also flat, but it is lightweight and it has something no other Lite-Brite version before has had - reusable templates.

If you are buying refill templates for Lite-Brites, I would recommend buying them flat if you can find them that way. Sometimes they come in a tube, curled. I got the templates that are curled in the package with extra pegs and it took me a couple of weeks to flatten them wedged under a stack of phone books.

Just an aside - why is it that no matter how innocent a topic you Google for images, there is often vulgar stuff that comes up? Sheesh. I make it a habit to never Google for images in front of kids as you never know what you will see.

As I mentioned on my Lite-Brite Magic Screen post, Hasbro has an awesome online tool for making and printing your own picture templates, and you can also print 19 free pre-made templates, like the one below, at this site. Yes, they will work with this unit :) To check it out go to the Hasbro website or click here. http://www.hasbro.com/litebrite/en_US/

Try this:

Work on finger strength and dexterity, in-hand manipulation, visual discrimination, figure ground, spatial relations, visual closure, coordinated use of both hands, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation