# Circuit Playground Powerpuff Girls Valentine ## Overview https://youtu.be/U-ZkdlludDo Turn your Valentine candy box into a magical powered-up PowerPuff Girls project with Circuit Playground Express. Download our code, or create your own custom lights and sounds with Microsoft's MakeCode drag-and-drop code editor.  This is a great project to do with kids. There is a little bit of cutting required, but no soldering. Help them surprise Mom with an extra special Valentine present from both of you. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/237/medium800/makecode_powerpuff.jpg?1548800062) Featured ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) Featured ### Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll [Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127) Copper tape can be an interesting addition to your toolbox. The tape itself is made of thin pure copper so its extremely flexible and can take on nearly any shape. You can easily solder to it, and the tape itself can carry current just like a wire. On the back is an electrically conductive... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1127/guides) ![Angled Shot of the Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1127-04.jpg) Featured ### 3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST [3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) 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 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries and have an on-off switch. That makes... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/727/guides) ![Front angled shot of 3 x AAA battery holder with on-off switch and 2-pin JST PH connector.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/727-07.jpg) Featured ### Alkaline AAA batteries - 3 pack [Alkaline AAA batteries - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) Battery power for your portable project! These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects in the shop that use AAA's. This is a pack of **3 AAA batteries**. These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry, with a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3520/guides) ![Angled shot of 3 PKcell AAA batteries. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3520-00.jpg) ### Tools & Materials You'll also need: - A printer and a sheet of card stock - A medium to large sized box of Valentine candy - Scissors & a utility knife - Double-stick tape or mounting tape squares ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/236/medium800/makecode_00_candybox.jpg?1548800038) # Circuit Playground Powerpuff Girls Valentine ## Circuit Diagram ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/177/medium800/makecode_powerpuff_valentine_wiring.jpg?1548784926) Connect a strip of copper tape with a touch pad at the end to pins **A1** , **A5** and **A7**. Plug the battery into the JST connector on the Circuit Playground, switch it on, and you're ready to go! # Circuit Playground Powerpuff Girls Valentine ## Code with MakeCode MakeCode is Microsoft's drag-and-drop code editor. It makes it easy for beginners and/or kids to get up and running with the Circuit Playground Express. So many options are accessible and easy with MakeCode, and it's really fun to customize and play around with making blinky lights and sounds. Here's the completed project. Click the Download link at the bottom, plug your Circuit Playground Express into your computer and drag the file onto the resulting **CPLAYBOOT** drive.  Or, follow along below to create your own project from scratch. https://makecode.com/_6Az4ewijX2jK ### Code It Yourself Head to [https://www.makecode.com](https://www.makecode.com/) and choose the Circuit Playground Express. Select "New Project" and give it a name. I called mine "PowerPuff." Click the **INPUT** tab and drag 3 instances of `on button A click` into your workspace. Change all 3 `button A` dropdowns to read `pin A1`, `pin A5` and `pin A7`respectively, since those are the pins we will connect to. ![makecode_01_inputs.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/180/medium640/makecode_01_inputs.jpg?1548786577) Add the color! Click the **LIGHT**  tab and drag an instance of `show ring` into each of the three input blocks. Select the color you want for each. I chose colors that correspond with the outfit color of each PowerPuff Girl. Change colors by clicking the wedge in the center of the ring that shows the color you want, then click each light to make it that color. ![makecode_02_lights.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/182/medium640/makecode_02_lights.jpg?1548787680) Add the sounds. Click the **MUSIC** tab and drag an instance of `play sound` into each `input` block. MakeCode has a variety of sounds you can choose from, so pick your favorite sound for each PowerPuff girl. You can hear what they sound like by using the emulator on the left once you've got the sounds into your project.  ![makecode_03_sounds.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/183/medium640/makecode_03_sounds.jpg?1548787706) Plug your Circuit Playground Express into your computer using a USB cable. You will see a rainbow animation appear the first time it boots up. Click the tiny  **Reset**  button in the middle of the board and the lights will all turn red, then green. When the lights turn green, a new drive will appear on your computer called  **CPLAYBOOT**. In MakeCode, click the Download button to download your code to a file. Drag this file onto the  **CPLAYBOOT**  drive. The Circuit Playground Express will reboot and eject itself.  Touch the three pads you selected one at a time to make sure you like the light and sound effects. Customize to your heart's content! ### Troubleshooting If you're having trouble, head over to the [Circuit Playground Express tutorial](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express/overview) for more troubleshooting ideas. # Circuit Playground Powerpuff Girls Valentine ## Assembly Here is the printable image, sized for a small to medium sized candy box. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/244/medium800/makecode_PPG_sisters_hug.png?1548801158) Open your candy box and cut some of the plastic lining out near the bottom, to make space for the battery box. (It's okay to eat the chocolates that no longer fit.) ![makecode_02_batteryspace.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/224/medium640/makecode_02_batteryspace.jpg?1548799015) Cut a small hole in top of the box near the bottom for the battery connector to come through. Stick the battery case to the inside of the lid with some double sided tape. Stick the Circuit Playground Express on the outside of the box and plug in the battery. ![makecode_05_batterybox.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/230/medium640/makecode_05_batterybox.jpg?1548799379) ![makecode_05_stickCPX.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/231/medium640/makecode_05_stickCPX.jpg?1548799402) Print out the PowerPuff Girls graphic on some card stock and place it on top of your box to be sure it's a good size. Cut the image out. Use some more double-sided tape to stick it to the front of the box above the Circuit Playground. ![makecode_03_cutout.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/225/medium640/makecode_03_cutout.jpg?1548799096) ![makecode_06_stickPPG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/226/medium640/makecode_06_stickPPG.jpg?1548799165) Cut three pretty shapes out of a length of copper tape. Taper each at the end so it will fit nicely through one of the holes on the Circuit Playground.  Make your copper tape shapes long enough to reach each PowerPuff girl from her assigned Circuit Playground pin. Mine were about 4" (10 cm) long. ![makecode_07_cutcoppertape.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/232/medium640/makecode_07_cutcoppertape.jpg?1548799433) ![makecode_09_coppertape.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/233/medium640/makecode_09_coppertape.jpg?1548799453) Slide one of your copper tape shapes through the hole at pin **A1** , one through pin **A5** and one through pin **A7**. Be careful not to cross the tape shapes, or to touch any of the other pads on the Circuit Playground. It's fine to double-up or use multiple pieces of tape to route where you'd like. ![makecode_10_throughole.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/234/medium640/makecode_10_throughole.jpg?1548799575) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/235/medium800/makecode_powerpuff.jpg?1548799716) Turn the power on using the switch on the battery box. Touch each piece of copper tape in turn, and watch the lights turn on and hear the sounds play.  Hooray! If you'd like, go back to the code and add custom animations or sounds. See if you can sound an alarm when the candy box is opened!  You don't want anyone stealing your candy. (Hint: use the `on shake` input) ### Troubleshooting If it's not working, check to be sure that the copper tape's narrow end is firmly and tightly stuck to the correct pin pad on the Circuit Playground. Make sure the tape is not accidentally touching any of the other pads - this can make it malfunction. Add more layers of tape if needed. If it's still not working, check your code and make sure you assigned the correct pins, and check to be sure your batteries are fresh/charged. ## Guide Products ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll [Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127) Copper tape can be an interesting addition to your toolbox. The tape itself is made of thin pure copper so its extremely flexible and can take on nearly any shape. You can easily solder to it, and the tape itself can carry current just like a wire. On the back is an electrically conductive... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1127/guides) ### 3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST [3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) 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 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries and have an on-off switch. That makes... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/727/guides) ### Alkaline AAA batteries - 3 pack [Alkaline AAA batteries - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) Battery power for your portable project! These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects in the shop that use AAA's. This is a pack of **3 AAA batteries**. These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry, with a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3520/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Thanksgiving Robotic Turkey Hand with Circuit Playground Express and Crickit](https://learn.adafruit.com/talking-turkey-hand.md) - [FruitBox Sequencer: Musically Delicious Step Pattern Generator ](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-fruitbox-sequencer-musically-delicious-step-pattern-generator.md) - [Capacitive Touch Pulsing Heart](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-heart-capacitive-touch.md) - [How to Choose a Microcontroller](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-choose-a-microcontroller.md) - [Crickit Collapsible House with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/collapsible-house.md) - [Glowing Neopixel Resin River Table](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-neopixel-resin-river-table.md) - [Make It Sense](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-sense.md) - [Lucky Cat with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/lucky-cat-with-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Wind Blowing Emoji Prop](https://learn.adafruit.com/wind-face-emoji.md) - [Hammer Time Mini Golf Hazard with Crickit](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-golf-hammer-time-circuit-playground-crickit.md) - [MIDI Stomping Pads](https://learn.adafruit.com/midi-stomping-pads.md) - [Circuit Playground Seashell Pendant](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-seashell-pendant.md) - [Remote Control Tree Ornament with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/remote-control-tree-ornament-with-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Crickit Powered Dancin' Snowman!](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-powered-dancin-snowman.md) - [Double-sided PCB Milling](https://learn.adafruit.com/double-sided-pcb-milling.md)