The random object series: 4 creative uses for LED fairy lights

One of the many joys of working in early education and care is how we use creative opportunities to bring new and novel ways into learning opportunities for everyone. From junk modelling to an abundance of loose parts play, nobody can utilise random objects quite like an early education and care professional!  

This new blog series draws upon some of the weird, wise and wonderful improvisations and insightful provocations that can come to life when we think a little bit more adventurously about the everyday items we have lying around.  

It’s November and the nights have long since drawn in. Make the most of the darker days by thinking about how to integrate light into provisions across the setting. This month’s blog is going to look at LED fairy lights and what we can do with them to promote novel opportunities for stimulating provocations! 

Before we start though, let's put safety first and consider safe use of LED fairy lights in our settings: 

• Ensure the plugs of any main's operated lights have been PAT tested, do not overload sockets and switch off when not in use. Keep children away from plug sockets at all times.  
• Keep fairy lights well out of children’s reach, ensuring any wires are securely fastened away from play areas and sleeping spaces. 
• Ensure battery operated lights are used under close supervision and that all batteries are fully secured in their casing. Batteries should be checked daily for any signs of leakage or damage.  
• Keep bulbs away from children’s reach but also from items that can burn easily, such as paper and fabric. 

Magic sensory jars 

Fairy lights bring a magic sense to any environment and sensory resources are especially valuable for young infants and children with additional needs, providing a focus for a calming engagement.  

Fairy lights come in all shapes and sizes and many can be manipulated in a way to ensure the whole jar can be filled with light! There are many creative ways to utilise these jars that, when closely supervised, give young children a safe way to get up close to a glowing sensory experience that otherwise would remain out of reach. You can make the jar even more enticing by painting or decorating with translucent paints or markers to provide a tainted glow.  

Bring the roleplay area to life 

For those of us working with older toddlers, the roleplay area is a provocation that is ever popular and holds great potential for all sorts of learning experiences. From the humble home corner to vet clinics and busy restaurants too, the roleplay area can be used in infinite ways to reflect lived experiences and support children’s expressions and interests. Try using LED fairy lights within this provision to add ambiance. Let’s get creative to think about some of the ways in which these can be utilised to really charge children’s imaginations and watch their play flourish.  

Add a bundle of fairy lights to the bottom of an oven to ignite creative thinking in kitchen play areas.  

Some lights allow you to change the colours, providing the opportunity to experiment and create a range of different effects. Try using red light for cosy fires or blue for an icy chill! 

Small jars and containers can be used to create lanterns for exploring or lighting up a cosy home corner that has taken a spin back in time.  

Give your cosy corner a glow up  

Cosy corners are a great addition to any busy playroom, providing children with the space to gain quiet, reflective time for themselves or to curl up with a book Having such a space available can give children a sense of autonomy that enables them to take control of their own feelings and manage self-regulation. Whilst soft furnishings, books and calming resources are all ideal tactile components of a traditional cosy corner, fairy lights can also be used to give it that extra glow, sense of safety and escapism from the surrounding busy environment.  

Nap time necessity 

Creating a sensitive and reassuring space for sleep can be a challenge in some settings that may be limited owing to physical space or team capacity. Utilise LED fairy lights in a to create calm spaces within your setting at naptimes to set the scene for tranquility, grounding children in a sense of safety as they drift off for their nap. Using soft lighting at nap time can also provide a helpful balance for children who are used to sleeping at home with some form of nightlight, whilst not being too disruptive for those children who are not used to lighting at sleep times.  

Do you currently use LED lights in your setting? Share your thoughts with us in the community forum!