The Children’s Museum of Tacoma opened its newest exhibit today called Wonder of Light. Located in the Museum’s Studio B, the exhibit’s new features create an environment that encourages the exploration of light and a calming sensory immersion.

This cozy environment invites visitors to slow down and experience moments of quiet wonder. Light and shadow dance across the room, reflections spark new perspectives, and soft corners offer a calming pause. Creativity here flows through open-ended exploration, where glowing colors, transparency, and movement reveal how subtle shifts in light can transform both the space and the way we see it. Each visit brings fresh opportunities to explore, create, and connect — making Studio B a place where play feels both magical and meaningful.

These new unique features transform Studio B into an immersive light environment:

• Light lab table for exploration with soft colorful lights
• Manipulatives that stir the imagination
• Plush modular play couches that can be transformed into different shapes
• Mirrors to explore different perspectives and light effects
• Magnatiles for building colorful translucent structures

Light adds significance and character to all learning environments. From the flicker of a candle to a ray of sunshine beaming through a window, light has always shaped the way we learn, create, and connect. In early childhood development, light play is especially powerful — offering both sensory delight and meaningful pathways for learning. Environments with dynamic light encourage curiosity, imagination, and emotional regulation. When children interact with light, whether through shadow play, reflection, or color mixing, they are engaging in a form of inquiry-based learning that fosters creativity and resilience. Light also provides a universal entry point: no matter a child’s age, background, or ability, it sparks wonder and invites exploration.

The Importance of Light Sensory Exploration

Develop Problem-Solving Skills

Exploring light and shadow is a trial-and-error process. Children can test different manipulative setups or light combinations to observe what happens. This hands-on play builds persistence, encourages “what if” questions, and strengthens an understanding of spatial relationships.

Expand Abstract Thinking

Light play makes abstract concepts like transparency, reflection, refraction, and color mixing accessible to children. It encourages them to move beyond concrete objects and imagine invisible forces, such as beams of light interacting with different surfaces.

Develop Storytelling Language

Children narrate what they see or invent as they interact with illuminated objects. Collaborative play strengthens communication skills as they describe their ideas and share perspectives. Through these experiences, new vocabulary emerges naturally, especially words connected to colors, shapes, and sensory impressions.

Reduce Stress

Soft glowing lights have been shown to produce calming effects in both children and adults. Reduced stress allows open-minded thinking and supports creating a calm mind, which in turn is more open to new ideas and concepts.

The Wonder of Light exhibit is open to all visitors at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. Admission is always Pay As You Will — a donation-based model that welcomes every family to play and give at a level that feels right for them

Greentrike
Bautista
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