# CPX Glowing Disembodied Hand
## Overview
https://youtu.be/NtH__8PVMUw
Whether it's crawling across the floor, popping out of a grave, or snapping its fingers to a catchy tune, the disembodied hand is a scary movie staple. It's also the perfect prop for your Halloween display -- especially when you add flashing lights and eerie music!
This version is quick to make and easy enough for kids to do themselves (or with a little adult help). The hand itself is made completely of masking tape. Inside is a circuit made with peel-and-stick fabric conductive tape. The lights in the fingers are Adafruit LED Sequins, but you could even use ordinary LEDs. And the palm lights and the coding are all done in simple to use, block-based Microsoft MakeCode on the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express (CPX for short).
Feeling fancy? Instead of Sequins, this guide also shows you a solder-free way to attach an Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand, and run pre-made animations or control each individual color-changing light with MakeCode.
Ready to pay a call on this disembodied hand? Let's get started!
## Parts List -- Electronics
The Circuit Playground Express lets you create your own light sequence and add music to your creepy, kooky creation! You will need one for both versions of this project. The base kit also includes a USB cable for programming the board, plus batteries and a battery holder to make the project portable.
Featured
### Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit
[Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517)
It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!** It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3517/guides)
Here is what you'll need to make the version using non-programmable LEDs.
Featured
### Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 8mm Wide x 10 meters long
[Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 8mm Wide x 10 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3960)
With our fun assortment of [conductive materials](https://www.adafruit.com/category/190), [cosplay](https://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=category&cPath=290) and [wearables](https://www.adafruit.com/category/65) have never been easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3960)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3960/guides)
Featured
### Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5
[Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377)
Sew a little sparkle into your wearable project with an Adafruit LED Sequin. These are the kid-sister to our popular [Flora NeoPixel](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1260), they only show a single color and they don't have digital control, but that makes them smaller easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3377/guides)
Or, to make the version with programmable lights throughout, this is what to get:
Featured
### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch
[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little dots of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel dots! They're very small, so they're easy to embed into any structure, costume, or wearable. Each dot is...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3630/guides)
Featured
### Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma
[Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
You have a [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333), and want to connect some wires to it for adding LEDs or sensors or speakers? You can use our nice alligator clips, but they are a little bulky. If you aren't quite ready to solder to your Playground,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4103/guides)
## Tools
For both versions of this project you will need scissors.
For the NeoPixel LED Dots Strand version you will also need:
- small Phillips head screwdriver
- wire stripper, like the one below
Featured
### Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers
[Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
These are the finest wire strippers we have used, and if you have to do a lot of wiring, you will agree! They have soft rounded grips - very comfortable to use, and precision ground notches that do a perfect job every time. No more yanking or twisting to strip wires cleanly and quickly.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/527/guides)
## Materials List -- Household and Crafts Supplies
Other supplies you will need are:
- masking tape
- cardstock or other heavy paper
- disposible straw, tongue depressor, or stiff paper rolled up into a straw-shaped tube
- (optional) craft stick or coffee stirrer
- (optional) clear tape
- thin adhesive dots or double-sided tape, preferably removable
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-glowing-disembodied-hand/build-the-hand.md)
## Guide Products
### Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit
[Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517)
It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!** It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3517/guides)
### Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 8mm Wide x 10 meters long
[Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 8mm Wide x 10 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3960)
With our fun assortment of [conductive materials](https://www.adafruit.com/category/190), [cosplay](https://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=category&cPath=290) and [wearables](https://www.adafruit.com/category/65) have never been easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3960)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3960/guides)
### Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5
[Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377)
Sew a little sparkle into your wearable project with an Adafruit LED Sequin. These are the kid-sister to our popular [Flora NeoPixel](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1260), they only show a single color and they don't have digital control, but that makes them smaller easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3377/guides)
### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch
[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little dots of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel dots! They're very small, so they're easy to embed into any structure, costume, or wearable. Each dot is...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3630/guides)
### Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma
[Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
You have a [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333), and want to connect some wires to it for adding LEDs or sensors or speakers? You can use our nice alligator clips, but they are a little bulky. If you aren't quite ready to solder to your Playground,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4103/guides)
### Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers
[Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
These are the finest wire strippers we have used, and if you have to do a lot of wiring, you will agree! They have soft rounded grips - very comfortable to use, and precision ground notches that do a perfect job every time. No more yanking or twisting to strip wires cleanly and quickly.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/527/guides)
## Related Guides
- [LED Trampoline](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-trampoline.md)
- [Low-Tech Buzzing Operation Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/low-tech-operation-game.md)
- [Creating Custom LED Animations](https://learn.adafruit.com/creating-custom-led-animations.md)
- [NeoPixel Fairy Crown](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-fairy-crown.md)
- [Magical Cardboard Craft Obsidian Sword](https://learn.adafruit.com/cardboard-obsidian-sword.md)
- [New Year Countdown Clock with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/new-year-countdown-clock-with-circuit-playground-express.md)
- [No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-solder-circuit-playground-bluetooth-disco-tie.md)
- [Guardian Robot with LEDs](https://learn.adafruit.com/guardian-robot-with-leds.md)
- [CircuitPython Connected Weather Cloud Lamp](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-connected-weather-cloud.md)
- [Gmailbox](https://learn.adafruit.com/gmailbox.md)
- [What is Web MIDI & BLE MIDI?](https://learn.adafruit.com/web-ble-midi.md)
- [Wireless NeoPixel Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-neopixel-controller.md)
- [USB Foot Switch Controller in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-foot-switch-circuit-python.md)
- [Thermal Camera with Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/thermal-camera-with-display.md)
- [Blahaj Alarm and Lamp](https://learn.adafruit.com/blahaj-alarm.md)