Flashing LED Strand with MakeCode
Kids will love this great no-sew, no-solder technique for controlling a regular strand of LED lights! Use them to add inexpensive customized lighting effects to wearables for Halloween or cosplay.
Chatty Light-Up Circuit Playground Express Mask
Kids can sew a simple mask by hand or machine. And its secret pouch is perfect for hiding a Circuit Playground Express that lights up when you talk!
Low-Tech Buzzing Operation Game
Just like the classic Operation game, players must remove items from the board without getting zapped! If you touch the opening and close the circuit, the LED flashes and buzzer sounds. Low-cost, easy to build, and can be adapted to any theme. Perfect for keeping kids busy at home or teaching paper circuit techniques in the classroom!
Twinkly Earwarmer Headband
Keep your ears toasty with sparkle! This kid-friendly project is quick to sew and can be lit with a lovely string of LEDs on a silver wire or with color-changing NeoPixels and easy-to-learn Microsoft MakeCode. Or, for more a challenge, create temperature-sensing headgear using CircuitPython!
CPX Glowing Disembodied Hand
If Thing is your favorite character from the Addams Family, this quick light-up Halloween project is for you! Once you've created the hand using masking tape, add some festive special effects with MakeCode, the Circuit Playground Express onboard lights, and either fabric tape circuits using Adafruit LED Sequins or the programmable NeoPixel LED Strand. Great for kids (with a little adult help)!
Circuit Playground Express Spooky Laughing Box
Make a spooky box that's cute or scary and program it to spring open when someone reaches over to see what's inside. All you need is a Circuit Playground Express, a small servo motor, and MakeCode. Nyah hah hah hah!
Best Beginner Boards for Teachers
With so many great Adafruit microcontrollers to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed! If you're an educator just starting out with programmable projects, these suggestions will help you find the best board for the job.
Circuit Playground Musical Glove
Explore different ways to use the sensors built into the Circuit Playground Express as you create a glove that changes musical tones with gestures.
Infinity Mirror Valentine's Candy Box
Here are two easy ways to build an infinity mirror into the lid of a box of chocolates and still leave room for sweets! One takes just a few minutes to assemble from Circuit Sticker glue-on LEDs. Or create an animated light show with Gemma M0, a clip-on NeoPixel strip, and ready-made MakeCode programming that you can personalize as you desire. Both versions are kid-friendly, and make great treasure boxes once the candy is gone!
CPX Mystery Dreidel
Spinning the Hanukkah dreidel is a favorite holiday pastime, and the Circuit Playground Express makes the game even more exciting! This easy-to-make cardboard version has no markings -- you won't know what side is facing up until the lights flash and the music plays. All it takes is some quick MakeCode programming that lets you choose the colors and sounds for each letter .
No-Sew LED Wristband
Light-up wristbands are a classic first e-textile project. Here's a quick low-cost version that doesn't involve needle and thread or programming. No battery holder either -- the fabric closure keeps the battery in place. Great for teaching kids and other beginners about soft circuits!
Cardboard Circuit Playground Express Inchworm Robot
With just one servo motor and a Circuit Playground Express for a brain, this cardboard crawler meets the definition of a "real" robot -- a machine that can sense, think, and act. See if you can hack the design and the programming to make your inchworm go even faster!