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This Christmas one of the best toys we got our 3-year-old was a light box. To my surprise, it has become one of those rare toys that she actually plays with every single day. We ended up with three versions, two from Battat and one from B. Toys, so I thought I’d break down the differences, what we love about each, and which one I’d recommend if you’re shopping.
Option 1: Battat Education Sensory Light Box – $40
Availability note: Not discontinued, but it sells out quickly and is often out of stock. If you see it available, grab it!
This was the star of Christmas morning and honestly the one I’d recommend the most, it checks every box.
Extra Features:
- A sensory tray that fits on top
- Translucent bugs for sorting and hiding
- Tools (tongs, scoopers) for sensory play
- Comes with translucent tiles
- 3 transparency sheets
- Fun flashcards
- Hard storage container for tiles and cards
Ways We Use the Sensory Tray:
- Kinetic sand – my toddler’s favorite! She hides bugs and digs them out under the glow.
- Water play – using the included tools to scoop, pour, and tong bugs.
- Confetti paper – colorful, crunchy fun.
- Dyed salt or rice – cheap and magical when lit up.
Even without the sensory tray, she loves using it for tile transparencies and Magnatiles. The glow makes everything more engaging.
💡 Best for: open-ended play, sensory fun, and keeping toddlers entertained for hours.
Option 2: Battat Regular Light Box – $30
This is the classic, budget-friendly option. Simple, but fun!
Features:
- 5 light colors
- Runs on batteries or USB-C
- Comes with translucent tiles and 3 transparency sheets
This one is great if you’re just testing out whether your toddler will enjoy a light box. It pairs really well with other toys like Magna-Tiles, and you can always grab transparency paper for tracing or coloring sheets.
💡 Best for: families who already have a sensory table and just want the light play element.
Option 3: B. Toys Educational Light Box – $30
Since the Battat Education version was discontinued, we decided to try this B. Toys version. It’s very similar to the regular Battat Light Box but with a few extra educational elements.
Features:
- 5 light colors
- Tiles plus number tiles
- 3 coloring transparencies
- Dry erase markers + eraser
This one leans more into early learning—perfect for color matching, counting, and even tracing with the markers. While I still miss the sensory tray, my daughter has been enjoying this one a lot and I appreciate the educational spin.
💡 Best for: parents who want a mix of play + learning but don’t need the sensory tray.
Fun Add-Ons for Any Light Box
No matter which one you choose, a few extras really extend the play:
- Alphabet letter tiles (upper + lowercase)
- Number tiles (great for preschoolers)
- Geometric build-it cards and shapes
- Blank transparencies to make your own coloring or tracing sheets
Final Thoughts
After three weeks of daily play, I can confidently say this has been the best Christmas gift for my toddler. Whether you grab the $30 Battat regular light box, the $30 B. Toys educational one, or (fingers crossed 🤞) the $40 Battat Education sensory box is in stock, a light box is such a fun and versatile toy.
It grows with your child, works for both play and learning, and makes a perfect birthday or holiday gift. If you’re looking for more activities to try or gifts for your toddler, be sure to check out these posts:
- Toys We Have Played With All Year
- 5 Easy Magna-Tile Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Activities Both My 2 and 4 Year Old Can Do
xx, Ciara
