Most of the time, we wear masks to help us stay safe. But sometimes, it's fun to add a little life to your facewear. This mask uses an Adafruit Circuit Playground Express board to flash a shiny smile whenever you talk, using its built-in sound sensor and easy-to-learn Microsoft MakeCode programming!

This mask itself is simple to sew by hand or on a machine and comfortable to wear. It's got two layers of fabric with a pouch that can hold a filter -- or your CPX. 

It's a great project for kids (or anyone) who are just learning to sew and learning to code!

Parts List -- Electronics

About all you need for this project is a Circuit Playground Express programmable microcontoller board, a USB cable to transfer the programming from your computer to the board, and a AAA battery holder to make it portable. These are all contained in the CPX Base Kit, or you can buy what you need separately. You'll also need extension wires (one for a child, or chain two together for an adult) that can connect the board in your mask with the battery pack in your pocket.

A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.
Circuit Playground Express is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and...
$24.95
In Stock
Front angled shot of 3 x AAA battery holder with on-off switch and 2-pin JST PH connector.
This battery holder connects 3 AAA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is slim, and 3 AAA's add up to about...
$1.95
In Stock
USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or...
$2.95
In Stock
Front shot of JST-PH Battery Extension Cable.
By popular demand, we now have a handy extension cord for all of our JST PH-terminated battery packs (such as our LiIon/LiPoly and 3xAAA holders). One end has a JST-PH compatible...
$1.95
In Stock
Rectangular case for Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit.
It's the Circuit Playground Express Base Kit! It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new
$29.95
In Stock

Materials List -- Household and Crafts Supplies

Other supplies you will need include:

  • 8 inch by 16 inch piece of tightly-woven cotton fabric ("quilting fabric"), preferably in a dark color
  • two (2) pieces of t-shirt yarn or other cord, about 28 inches long

Optional:

  • 4 inch long piece of twist-tie or other wire
  • two (2) plastic beads with a large opening ("pony beads")
  • pair of peel-and-stick Velcro dots
  • disposible, non-woven filter layer, such as a coffee filter, one ply of paper towel, or waffle-pattern conference tote bag material.

This guide was first published on Jul 03, 2020. It was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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