Christmas tree light switch delights kids AND protects the tree

Christmas tree light switches are yet another way toddlers can get safely (well, relatively safely) involved with the tree. Your mileage may vary given the activity level of your toddler, but both Christy and Carly have had good luck:

From Christy:

I found these Ornament Christmas Light Switches a few years back and notice that Target carries them for $9.99. [More expensive at Amazon, but I've linked to it in case you must have one and can't find it near you. Great item to buy locally on December 26! -- Ed.] I think I bought mine at a drugstore for $5 after Christmas one year. Unfortunately the brass tarnishes after a few years, but that's been the only downside.

These work great for us because the kids can turn the tree on and off at a whim, and for added fun, the baby just hangs onto the ornament while we touch her and it turns the tree on and off.  This keeps everyone entertained for hours on end.

From Carly:

We picked up a $4 foot pedal button extension cord that turns the tree lights on and off -- which our daughter adores doing. Its lengthy cord means a) our toddler is nowhere near an electrical outlet, and b) is very easy to use with a big red button (parents with younger babies may find this a detriment, however!)

Related:
Childproof your Christmas tree with jingle bells
Toddler-enable your Christmas tree with a few unbreakable ornaments

Comments

[Sean O'Grady]

Pretty cool. My 4YO loves the remote I bought. It's just like a car alarm remote, except it turns the tree on & off. $20 @ radio shack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2856857&cp=&sr=1&origkw=remote+light+switch&kw=remote+light+switch&parentPage=search

[Sean O'Grady]

Pretty cool. My 4YO loves the remote I bought. It's just like a car alarm remote, except it turns the tree on & off. $20 @ radio shack.

Search radiochack for "remote Light Switch"
(I'd link, but typepad is flagging as spam.

[Healthy Moms]

I enjoyed reading the information on your blog. Thank you for sharing!

Healthy Moms
http://thehealthymoms.blogspot.com

[Jill in Atlanta]

We put our tree in a different location this year and it ended up at an outlet controlled by a light switch. Handy. I might look for one of those switches after the 25th for other years.

[stepan]

We've been using The Clapper for the last few Christmases. Works pretty well and is fun for the kids. Although occasionally our dogs' barking will turn the lights on or off.

http://tinyurl.com/3cca35

[tiffany]

my dad gave us the remote control version when we had our first kid. he's now 4 and LOVES turning the tree on and off, on and off, on and off.........

[Adam R.]

We use a similar system, but with X10 wireless switches. We already have wireless switch for two of the lamps in the living room, so the third switch gets dedicated to the tree. One switchplate for the lights and tree in the living room!

[Emily]

We have used this one for years and love it:

http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?searchParam=LV&pdId=1021&addOn=886&categoryId=&catTree=&clearance=&sid=eas