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Holiday Break Electronics Ideas (ya know, for kids!) -- The Learning Circuit Announcement

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element14's The Ben Heck Show

Join Karen as she shares her enthusiasm for teaching STEM subjects, gives you what you need to know to get started on electronics projects, and more.

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The holidays are quickly approaching and Karen wants to know what ideas you have for electronics projects to keep kids age 8-12 busy while they are home from school for winter break.

 

During the holidays, it's tempting to go out and buy another toy to keep the kids occupied. Here at element14, we like to take the DIY approach. What projects can be made from basic household items, or parts you can pick up on the cheap? Share your ideas in the comments below.

Parents

  • Hi Karen,

     

    Also some more ideas, could be just to keep a few components around.

    For example, there are cool experiments with a neon lampneon lamp because they consume such little current, they can be useful for electrostatic related stuff. But to be honest nowadays even an LED will work; a superbright water-clear red LED would be recommended.

    I've tried HLMP-EG15-UX000 and it works, but other super-bright water-clear red LEDs would function (they have to be red, and ideally 15 degree viewing angle or less).

    One fun thing to do with them is to blow up a balloon, rub it against clothes, and then hold the LED from the anode, and run the cathode wire close along the balloon, and it lights up. I've always wanted to build that into a larger object, e.g. a badge or a pencil top, to stop the youngest kids sticking the LED in their mouth or mains sockets.

     

    Also a capacitor and battery is fun just to watch the sparks : ) Something like a 100uF capacitor and a small cell/battery.

Comment

  • Hi Karen,

     

    Also some more ideas, could be just to keep a few components around.

    For example, there are cool experiments with a neon lampneon lamp because they consume such little current, they can be useful for electrostatic related stuff. But to be honest nowadays even an LED will work; a superbright water-clear red LED would be recommended.

    I've tried HLMP-EG15-UX000 and it works, but other super-bright water-clear red LEDs would function (they have to be red, and ideally 15 degree viewing angle or less).

    One fun thing to do with them is to blow up a balloon, rub it against clothes, and then hold the LED from the anode, and run the cathode wire close along the balloon, and it lights up. I've always wanted to build that into a larger object, e.g. a badge or a pencil top, to stop the youngest kids sticking the LED in their mouth or mains sockets.

     

    Also a capacitor and battery is fun just to watch the sparks : ) Something like a 100uF capacitor and a small cell/battery.

Children
  • in reply to shabaz

    We tried it this weekend, building up a couple of these with my two sub-8 year old nephews.

    We (I) cut the 3mm plastic and sanded off the corners and drilled holes.

    Then the LED was put into position and I helped pop-rivet to secure the two wire ends.

    I didn't take a photo of the underside, but a blob of epoxy was used to ensure the LED couldn't be pushed out.

    The left side in the photo (LED anode) was held, and the right side was put close to the balloon.

    They had some fun with balloons, showing their parents how the light would flicker on.

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