Valentine’s Day Light Table Activities

The soft ambient glow of the light table is a favorite center for many preschoolers. The versatility of the center makes it perfect for any theme, holiday, or season – so it is a favorite of teachers as well. These Valentine’s Day light table activities are sure to steal the hearts of students and teachers alike!

All five of these Valentine’s Day light table activities take minutes to prep and use very few materials, too – something every teacher loves!

Activity #1: Tic-Tac-Toe

Make a tic-tac-toe board on the light table using washi tape. Students use two different colored acrylic hearts to try to connect three in a row. If acrylic hearts are unavailable, mini erasers, pom-poms, or other transparent pieces work just as well!

Skills Practiced: color recognition, fine motor control, counting, taking turns

Valentine’s Day Light Table Activity #2: Pattern Practice

Print the free printable pattern cards on transparency film. Students match the pieces to the pattern cards. This Valentine’s Day light table activity is simple, but students enjoy making different patterns.

Get it free here!

Skills Practiced: pattern recognition, color recognition, shape review

Activity #3: Heart Art

This is another use for transparency sheets. However, for this activity, colored sheets can save a lot of ink! Cut out hearts in a variety of sizes. Students can design their art by layering the different colors and sizes of hearts. Post inspirational ideas on the wall to get the creativity flowing.

Skills Practiced: size recognition, color theory, creativity, collaboration, descriptive language

Valentine’s Day Light Table Activity #4: Dot Letters

Even more transparency sheets work wonders with this fun activity! Print these Fine Motor Alphabet Dots on transparency sheets and give students some heart-shaped table scatter. *Note – if transparency sheets are not available, the activities do work using printouts on white copy paper – the colors are just as vibrant.*

Skills Practiced: letter recognition, fine motor skills

Activity #5: Counting Hearts

This Valentine’s Day light table activity is super sweet and super simple! Cut out paper heart shapes in a variety of colors. Write numbers on the hearts, and provide some heart-shaped table scatter. Students count the number of tiny hearts as they place them on the corresponding paper heart. Want to make it even fancier? Use seasonal doilies or decorations from a dollar store instead of the larger paper hearts.

Skills Practiced: one-to-one correspondence, numeral recognition