Carnival is approaching! In this guide, learn how to add LED n00ds to your favorite mask or head piece. n00ds are similar in appearance to EL wire, but don't require bulky or noisy inverters and are a bit simpler to connect. A single 3v n00d runs for hours from a small coin cell battery. They are more flexible than EL wire and come in a variety of lovely colors. Go wild!
This guide will show three different builds:
Super Simple Inner Glow: Use a n00d and coin cell battery around the inside of your mask's eye-holes to give your face an otherworldly glow.
Outlines and Details: Weave two or three n00ds through the details on your mask to highlight a shape and draw a lot of attention.
Sequenced Head Piece with Motion Reactivity: Seven n00ds adorn this glorious headpiece. Learn to sequence or dim the n00ds or have a responsive animation play across them when you tilt your head. This is a more advanced project with a lot of tricky soldering but the possibilities are endless.
This guide uses the 3v n00ds at 130mm or 300mm length. The longer n00ds require 12v or 24v and aren't as easy to use for wearables since the battery would need to be huge, or there would be a need to add bulky converters.
This more advanced Sequenced Antler tutorial is for folks who are ready to take their mask or headpiece to the next level, with lots of n00ds connected to a single lipoly battery. This project will show how to run and sequence the n00ds with CircuitPython code, adding dimming capabilities and sensor reactivity so they pulse and animate, and react to head motions.
Tools and Materials
- Masquerade masks or antlers - Find them online or support your local costume shop
- 26 gauge silicone coated stranded wire, in a color to match your mask
- Hot glue gun and RTV Silicone adhesive
- wire strippers
- flush snips
- soldering iron and tools
- zip ties
The simple masks uses 1-2 n00ds and 1-2 battery holders -- one n00d : one holder, two n00ds : two holders.
Page last edited March 05, 2026
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