Build It
Smiling Sun
Four little touches. One very happy morning.
The sun is still asleep. Can you help wake it up?
Smiling Sun is a playful four-touch story where a sleepy little sun gradually opens its eyes, begins to smile, and brings light and color into the world.
Each touch creates a small, meaningful change. The sun wakes up, its expression brightens, and eventually a colorful daytime scene appears.
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
Wake Up, Little Sun!
One little touch, and the sun begins to wake. Another brings a smile. Keep going and watch the whole world brighten.
How it works
Learners can touch anywhere on the screen.
Each touch advances a predictable story, gradually waking the sun and changing the scene.
The four-touch sequence provides opportunities to notice visual changes, anticipate the next part of the story, and explore simple cause and effect.
After the completed scene has been enjoyed, the activity resets for another turn.
No precise targeting is required.
Four ways to see the story
Smiling Sun includes four visual support levels.
- Basic Shapes: A single, bright yellow face against black, with minimal visual detail.
- Clean Icon & Glow: A simplified cartoon sun with a gentle glow.
- Added Scenery: A friendly illustrated sun against a softly colored sky and simple landscape.
- Full Journey: A colorful scene with the smiling sun, green hills, butterflies, and a rainbow.
The story remains the same, but the visual presentation changes.
These are flexible choices rather than a required progression. Adults can select whichever presentation works best for the learner.
Make it your own
Teachers and caregivers can adjust the experience through the Teacher Menu.
Settings include:
- Face size
- Animation speed
- Glow intensity
- Brightness
- Visual support levels
- Sound options
The goal is to keep participation simple while allowing the visual experience to be adjusted for different learners.
Why I made it
There's something rather nice about helping the sun wake up.
It's a familiar idea, easy to understand, and it lends itself to a simple little story.
I wanted to begin with one clear visual target and allow the experience to grow.
A sleepy face changes expression, a little light appears, and eventually the whole world brightens.
Each touch offers another opportunity to look, notice a change, and anticipate what might happen next.
And when the sun finally wakes up, there's a happy ending to enjoy together.
What learners can explore
- Looking toward a single prominent visual target
- Noticing changes in facial expressions
- Changes in brightness, color, and glow
- Simple cause-and-effect relationships
- Anticipation within a predictable sequence
- Purposeful touching without precise targeting
- Exploring simple and more detailed visual scenes
- Shared smiles, interaction, and enjoyment
Who it's for
Build It apps were created with learners with cerebral visual impairment (CVI), visual impairments, and complex learning needs in mind, but they're meant to be enjoyed by many more children.
The simple interactions, adjustable visual presentations, and predictable little stories make them accessible and engaging for young children exploring cause and effect, early visual attention, and purposeful touch.
They're 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)