Make a singing Christmas tree from scratch using a micro:bit and a Crazy Circuits Bit Board! Featuring a mouth that opens and closes and eyes that move, it's a radio-connected animatronic party trick to see what all the kids want for Christmas.
This build uses 2 micro:bits, a bit board from Brown Dog Gadgets, 3 Servo motors, 2 battery packs, gigantic googly eyes, a mouth made from cardboard and felt, and a string of battery-powered led Christmas lights. Watch the video for an overview of how I built it and to see the tree in action. I've also published a free template and build guide here, so you can make your own!
| {gallery}Making the Singing Christmas Tree |
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Materials: Everything you need to make it. |
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Mouth Pieces: TThe mouth is made from cardboard covered in felt. |
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Attach the Servo Motor: The servo is attached to the cardboard base with a pipe cleaner, and the arm is extended with a popsicle stick - crafty! |
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Glue the mouth to the cardboard base: Slip the felt over the popsicle stick and use hot glue to attach the top of the mouth to the base. |
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Disassemble the Googly Eyes: Use hot glue to attach the motorheads to the pupils. |
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Attach the motor: Place the motor through a hole in the center of the eye. |
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Reassemble the Googly Eye: Glue the plastic cover over the eye and decorate it with evergreen. |
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Place the Eyes and Mouth: Place the eyes and mouth on a Christmas Tree. |
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Assemble the circuit: Assemble the circuit behind the tree, and tuck it in so no one can see! |
Download the code: Download the code, and sing! Watch the YouTube video linked in this post to see it in action! |
Use the tree to "talk" to young people and find out what they want for X-mas. :-D Happy Holidays!