Build It
Christmas Tree Lights
A little Christmas magic, one touch at a time.
The Christmas tree is waiting in the dark. Can you help it light up the room?
Christmas Tree Lights is a playful four-touch story where a simple tree gradually becomes part of a warm, glowing holiday scene.
Each touch brings something new. A star lights up, the tree begins to twinkle, presents appear, and a cozy Christmas room comes to life.
In the richer visual presentations, there's even a little mouse wandering around.
There's no need for precise touching or complicated controls. Just look, touch, wait, and enjoy what happens next.
Part of the Build It collection — little stories brought to life, one touch at a time.
Included with the membership ($36/year)
Peek Inside
Light Up Christmas
One little touch brings a star. Another adds a glow. Keep going and watch Christmas come to life.
How it works
Learners can touch anywhere on the screen.
Each touch advances a predictable four-part story, gradually illuminating the Christmas tree and revealing more of its surroundings.
After the completed scene has been enjoyed, the app resets for another turn.
Precise targeting isn't required.
Four ways to see the story
Christmas Tree Lights provides four visual support levels:
- Basic Shapes: A simple glowing tree outline on black.
- Clean Icon & Glow: A recognizable dark green tree with a bright star and glowing lights.
- Added Scenery: A richer environment with presents, holiday decorations, and a playful little mouse.
- Full Journey: A cozy Christmas room with a fireplace, stockings, presents, and softly glowing decorations.
Adults can choose different levels of visual detail while keeping the same familiar story.
These are flexible visual choices rather than required developmental stages.
Make it your own
The existing Teacher Menu allows adults to select visual presentations and adjust supported appearance and sound settings.
These options allow the experience to be adapted without complicating the learner's interaction.
Why I made it
There's something special about turning on Christmas lights.
A dark tree becomes a glowing one, and suddenly the whole room feels different.
I wanted to capture a little of that feeling in a simple interactive story.
Each touch adds another small change. The star glows, the lights brighten, and before long a warm Christmas scene appears.
The simplest presentations keep attention on one clear target. The more detailed ones provide additional things to notice and explore.
And the little mouse adds a bit of holiday mischief.
What learners can explore
- Visual attention toward a prominent target
- Changes in light, brightness, and contrast
- Simple cause-and-effect relationships
- Anticipation within a predictable sequence
- Purposeful touching without precise targeting
- Familiar holiday objects and visual scenes
- Exploring simple and more detailed visual information
- Shared enjoyment and interaction
Who it's for
Christmas Tree Lights was created with learners with cerebral visual impairment (CVI), visual impairments, and complex learning needs in mind, but it's meant to be enjoyed by many more children.
The simple interactions, adjustable visual presentations, and predictable little story make it accessible and engaging for young children exploring cause and effect, early visual attention, and purposeful touch.
It's also designed to be shared. Parents, teachers, therapists, and caregivers can join in the anticipation, surprises, and enjoyment.
Different learners, different ways to participate. The fun belongs to everyone.
Included with the membership ($36/year)