From the Toysit archive
Lite-Brite Easel
Plan a small pattern, make a peg picture and compare it with drawing on the older Illumin-Art easel.
The play at a glance
Choose a surface, then choose a pattern
This older Lite-Brite easel brings peg pictures and marker pictures into one frame. The Illumin-Art instructions distinguish a peg side from a smooth drawing side; choosing the right side and picture sheet comes before making the design.
A small border or simple symbol is a useful first project. You can see how separate points of color form a picture without needing to fill the whole screen.
Keep the three activities distinct
For peg pictures, the 06879 guide places the peg side facing outward and secures the appropriate sheet before inserting pegs. For marker pictures, it uses the smooth side and a sheet labeled for marker use. Ordinary paper drawing is a separate easel activity; do not treat every surface as a wipe-clean drawing board.
Check the unit, sheet and intended supplies together. The main manual explains positioning and assembly. A refill package or a guide for a newer LED Lite-Brite is not a substitute for those instructions.
Start with a small repeat
On paper, sketch a border using two colors: one point of the first color, then two of the second. Repeat that group a few times. Count how many pegs of each color the idea needs before beginning on a compatible sheet or blank design surface specified for your unit.
Once the border is recognizable, decide what belongs inside it: an initial, a small flower or a simple geometric shape. Leaving some space empty can make the subject easier to see. The paper sketch is an optional planning aid, not a replacement template to force onto the screen.
Look at the same picture in different light
The 06879 easel cycles through six lighting settings, including steady illumination and blinking or alternating areas. A setting changes which parts are lit; it does not move the pegs. Some supplied pictures are designed around those effects.
Try the same completed design under a steady setting and one changing setting. Ask which outlines remain easy to recognize. A repeat that looks clear in steady light may read differently when only part of the picture is lit.
Check an older easel before setting it up
Have an adult compare the actual model with its instructions, including the legs, removable screen, peg tray, battery compartment and lighting components. Match any replacement parts to that model. The archived counts and the manual’s counts differ, so count what is actually present before planning a large project.
Sort the intended pegs by color after play and keep marker supplies capped. Consult the matching guide for marker stains, power and lamp work; the drawing activities above do not require guessing at a replacement bulb or using a different kind of marker.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original feature list and later Lite-Brite essay remain below. The archived inventory says 400 pegs and 10 refill sheets; the 06879 manual lists 500 pegs and eight design sheets. These differing inventories are retained as an edition or package uncertainty rather than silently reconciled.
Classic drawing activities with markers combined with light board, bulbs, and colorful pegs
This improved version of a classic toy provides bold new ways to draw, create, and display. The toy features a flippable screen that allows for giant peg creations that come to life with six modes of animation. Classic drawing activities with markers. Traditional easel clip allows use of paper and other art supplies. Includes six markers, 400 pegs, ten refill sheets and four light bulbs.
Lite-Brite is a classic toy that was first introduced in 1967 by Hasbro. The toy consists of a light box with small, colored plastic pegs that fit into a panel, allowing users to create illuminated designs. By placing these pegs into a grid, children can form patterns or images which become luminescent when the light box is activated. Originally, Lite-Brite came with templates featuring various designs to help guide the creative process, but the possibilities for freeform art were endless. The toy was an instant success because it combined the joys of drawing and painting with the unique element of light, captivating children and adults alike. Over the years, Lite-Brite has been updated with new features, templates, and even electronic versions, but the basic premise of creating art with light has remained the same. The toy has not only served as a creative outlet but also aids in the development of fine motor skills and spatial awareness. Its iconic status was solidified when it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Sources and editorial notes
Reviewed October 15, 2026 using the original source and image and Hasbro’s Illumin-Art Easel 06879 manual. The manual matches the pictured style and two-sided activities, but its inventory differs from the archived text. Its specifications should not be assigned to every Lite-Brite product. The historical Hall of Fame statement is preserved in the archive and is not independently endorsed here. The pattern ideas are editorial suggestions; no physical easel was tested.
- Hasbro: Lite-Brite Illumin-Art Easel 06879 instructions (PDF) — Main easel guide covering surfaces, sheets, assembly and lighting; compare the unit number.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.