# Halloween Monsters with CRICKIT and Circuit Playground Express ## Overview Build your own interactive monsters, powered by Crickit!  It doesn't take exotic materials to build your own animatronic friend, just a few paper cups, craft supplies, a couple of servos, and a Circuit Playground Express with CRICKIT! This guide shows how program these crafty monsters with both Microsoft MakeCode - a block-based programming system that's easy for anyone to use, and CircuitPython, a Python-based language that is the perfect introduction to higher-level programming.   ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/064/066/medium800thumb/makecode_six_monster_mosaic.jpg?1540431275) ## Parts Used ### Part: Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express quantity: 1 Creative Robotics and Interactive Construction Kit is an add-on to our popular Circuit Playground Express that lets you #MakeRobotFriend using CircuitPython [Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) ### Part: Circuit Playground Express quantity: 1 Circuit Playground Express is the perfect introduction to electronics and programming [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) ### Part: Micro Servo quantity: 3 This little servo can rotate approximately 180 degrees (90 in each direction). Works just like standard servos you're used to but smaller. [Micro Servo](https://www.adafruit.com/product/169) ### Part: Micro USB cable quantity: 1 Standard A to micro-B USB cable - 3ft [Micro USB cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) ### Part: Alkaline AA batteries - 3 pack quantity: 1 These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects that use AAs. [Alkaline AA batteries - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521) ### Part: 3xAA holder with DC jack quantity: 1 Battery holder 3xAA batteries with 2.1mm DC jack [3xAA holder with DC jack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3842) ### Part: 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply quantity: 1 Power supply that gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA, 110 or 240 volt AC input [5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) ## Materials & Tools To build this project you'll need: - [Paper cups](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073P1NQTM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1) (this set is a good size and includes many colors) - Hot glue and glue gun - Pipe cleaners for decoration - Scissors - Scrap cardboard - Optional: googly eyes for facial features, yarn for hair/fur - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-monsters-with-crickit/build-some-monsters.md) ## Featured 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) ### Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express [Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) Sometimes we wonder if robotics engineers ever watch movies. If they did, they'd know that making robots into servants always ends up in a robot rebellion. Why even go down that path? Here at Adafruit, we believe in making robots our  **friends!** So if you find... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3093/guides) ### Micro servo [Micro servo](https://www.adafruit.com/product/169) Tiny little servo can rotate approximately 180 degrees (90 in each direction) and works just like the standard kinds you're used to but _smaller_. You can use any servo code, hardware, or library to control these servos. Good for beginners who want to make stuff move without... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/169) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/169/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) 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 microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### Alkaline AA batteries (LR6) - 3 pack [Alkaline AA batteries (LR6) - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521) 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 AAs. This is a pack of **3 AA batteries**. These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry, with a voltage... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3521/guides) ### 3 x AA Battery Holder with 2.1mm Plug [3 x AA Battery Holder with 2.1mm Plug](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3842) Here's another addition to our growing family of [AA battery holders](https://www.adafruit.com/category/563). A holder for three (3) AA batteries! It's got an 8" long power cable with a 2.1mm DC jack at the end, and, oh yes, it's in classy... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3842) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3842/guides) ### 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed [5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) This is an FCC/CE certified and UL listed power supply. Need a lot of 5V power? This switching supply gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA. 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but you can pick one... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/276/guides) ### STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Male Header Cable - 200mm [STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Male Header Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3893) This cable will let you turn a JST PH 3-pin cable port into 3 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" male header plugs on the end. We're carrying these to match up with our Hallowing, for extending and connecting sensors or LEDs - and the wires are even color coded! In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3893) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3893/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Make It Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Accelerometer Use](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-shake-rattle-and-roll.md) - [Motion Gift Box](https://learn.adafruit.com/motion-gift-box.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Treasure Hunt](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-treasure-hunt.md) - [Snake Charmer Box](https://learn.adafruit.com/snakecharmer.md) - [Cosplay Floating LED Fireball with Motion Sensing](https://learn.adafruit.com/cosplay-fireball-prop-with-motion-sensing.md) - [Four Seasons Fairy Bottle Lanterns](https://learn.adafruit.com/four-seasons-fairy-bottle-lanterns.md) - [Your First Power Switch Relay Project - Circuit Playground Smart Plug](https://learn.adafruit.com/beginner-first-project-power-switch-relay-circuit-playground-smart-plug.md) - [How to Choose a Microcontroller](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-choose-a-microcontroller.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) - [Thanksgiving Robotic Turkey Hand with Circuit Playground Express and Crickit](https://learn.adafruit.com/talking-turkey-hand.md) - [CRICKIT Snake Bot](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-snake-bot.md) - [Spinning Logo](https://learn.adafruit.com/spinning-logo.md) - [Make It Sound](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-sound.md) - [Slider Crank Mechanism -- from Cardboard and Craft Sticks](https://learn.adafruit.com/cardboard-slider-crank.md)