An LED drawing board (also called a light-up drawing board, glow board or LED message board) is a clear acrylic panel that slots into a base with small LED lights. You draw on the panel with special markers, switch on the light, and the drawing appears to glow. When you're done, you wipe it clean and start again.
How does a light-up drawing board work?
The LEDs in the base shine light into the edge of the acrylic panel. The light travels inside the panel and mostly stays trapped there – until it hits a marker line on the surface. The ink scatters the light outwards, so your drawing lights up while the clear parts of the panel stay see-through. That's why the effect looks strongest in a dim room.
What can you use it for?
- Doodling and drawing – bright colours on a glowing surface feel different from paper.
- Tracing – slide a printed picture behind the clear panel and trace over the lines.
- Glowing notes and messages – a good-morning note, a shopping list or a birthday message on the table.
- A soft night light – leave a favourite drawing glowing on a desk or shelf.
- Drawing together – take turns adding to the same picture; it's an easy screen-free activity for families.
What to look for when choosing one
- Size. Bigger panels give more room for tracing and group drawing; small ones suit a desk or bedside table.
- Power. USB-powered boards work from a USB port, power bank or USB wall adapter, with no batteries to replace.
- Markers included. Not every marker works well on acrylic, so it helps when suitable markers come in the box.
- A stand. A stable stand keeps the board upright as a display or night light.
- Easy cleaning. A wiping cloth (and a slightly damp cloth for dried ink) is all you should need.
Is it safe?
Treat it like any small electrical item: keep the base away from water, unplug it when not in use, and supervise younger users. Marker caps are small parts, so keep them away from children under 3.
The ZOPI Glow Board
The ZOPI Glow Board is a reusable LED drawing board with a clear acrylic panel, USB-powered LED base, adjustable stand, wiping cloth and colour markers. It comes in four sizes – Mini (12 x 12 cm), Compact (15 x 15 cm), Square (20 x 20 cm) and Large (30 x 20 cm) – with free tracked shipping to the US. Not sure which size? Read our size guide.