The Glowing Wooden Puzzle Night Light

What it is and what it is made of

This is a 3D wooden puzzle kit that builds into a small night light. The parts are laser cut from basswood plywood and paper. There are about 41 parts in the box, and they press together by hand. Some parts need glue, so keep a small bottle of craft glue nearby.

The build takes about 1 hour from start to finish. The pieces are cut to fit, so the work is mostly about sorting the sheets, pressing out the parts and following the order in the guide. When the last wall goes on, you have a small lit scene rather than a flat puzzle.

Sizes and specs

The finished night light is small enough for a desk, a shelf or a bedside table.

Styles to pick from

You choose one style when you order. The build and the size stay the same, and the scene and the light shape change with the style.

• Castle with owl
• Starry night
• Love
• Cat on moon
• Christmas village
• Deer in forest
• Elven deer

A few of these suit a holiday shelf, and a few suit a year-round desk. The Christmas village style fits a winter display, while the cat on moon and starry night styles work in a reading corner any month of the year.

How to build it

Set out the laser-cut sheets on a flat table. Press the parts out gently, and keep the small pieces in a shallow dish so nothing rolls away. Dry fit each joint before you glue it. A thin line of glue is enough, and a damp cloth wipes away any squeeze-out before it sets.

Work in the order shown in the guide. The frame and the base go together first, then the scene pieces, then the outer walls. Leave the light string for last so you can tuck the wire along the inside of the frame. When the build is done, let the glue cure before you move it.

The light

The kit includes a warm LED string. It runs on 3 AA batteries, which are not included, so add a pack to your order or pull three from a drawer. The switch sits on the battery box, and you can hide the box behind the scene or under the base.

The light is warm rather than bright. It reads well in a dim room and gives a soft glow to the scene inside. In daylight the wood grain and the cut shapes carry the look on their own.

Where to put it

This piece suits a desk, a nightstand, a bookshelf or a windowsill. It is about the size of a small book standing up, so it tucks into tight spots. Keep it out of direct sun and away from damp rooms, since wood and paper can warp with moisture.

To clean it, dust with a dry soft brush or a dry cloth. Do not use water or spray cleaner on the wood or the paper parts. If you store it, remove the batteries first and wrap the piece in tissue.

A note on the build

This is a kit, not a finished model. It is rated for ages 14 and up, and it takes about an hour of focused work. That makes it a good solo project for a quiet evening, and a good gift for someone who likes puzzles, miniatures or small lit scenes.