Create Real working iPod Costume(s)

Create Real working iPod Costume(s)
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On a Brides Wedding Day...it's ALL about the dress, but on Halloween...it's all about the costume.  So I wanted to find something both my kids could agree on before the slow & strategic torment of their Dad began.  You've all been there, whether Toys r us, Walmart, or Party City, you walk in with the intent of spending a few minutes to buy some costumes...four hours later, you're wondering whether Rod Sterling is going to pop out and announce you're in a new episode of "The Twilight Zone".  

I'm thankful that within the fabric of time & space, my kids share a common appreciation for music!  So I tossed the idea of making them their own iPod costumes, as I've seen alot online and thought it'd be fun.  Somehow, I wanted to take what I've seen and boldly go a step further.  So I thought to myself, what if I made a working iPod, something with lights AND MUSIC...!!!!  The seed was planted and the idea took root.  These costumes will work on kids in a variety of age groups.  Mine are 8 & 9 yrs old...so I made them iPods a bit different.  One (blue)was made for my son to be inside of, except for his arms if he chose to have them out...you know...to reach for candy.  While my daughter's costume(red iPod) was made so her head & arms would come out. 

I still wake up looking underneath my bed for some missing magic lamp, as this turned out better than I could have wished for.

Here's what you'll need if you so choose to accept this mission:

Tools of the trade:   
Cardboard (Try Electronic/Appliance stores, the bigger the better)
Hot Glue Gun (.99 cents store)
Coffee
Lots of sugar to go with your coffee
Package of Glue sticks - I used one package(.99 cents)
Paint - Primer, whatever colors you choose ( I used Blue, Red, Metallic, & White...though the Primer could easily substitute for white since it's a base.)
Box cutter
Plexiglass
Electrical tape
Duct tape - Doesn't matter what color
Painters tape
Pencil
Magic Marker (Red, Black)
Batteries (D x 8)
Wiring
Switch device
Mini speaker (from Hallmark card)
Halogen lamp (.99 cents store)
Portable Mp3 player or iPod (goes in console)


 
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Step 1Who cut the cardboard?...can someone open a window!!!

Who cut the cardboard?...can someone open a window!!!
You must become ONE with the cardboard....o.k., maybe I'm pushing it.  But choosing a box will be paramount to how the rest of your project will start to develop.  I was fortunate to find a huge box at PC Richards left over from a plasma television set.  But ever since I found the website for "Instructables", I've just been piling up on the cardboard.  Since I made two variations of the iPod, here are the measurements I used:

Blue iPod:  16" width, 36" height, 12" depth (for son)
Red iPod:  14" width,  25" height, 12" depth (for daughter)

The extra height on the blue iPod is because my son was going to be inside the costume, which would cover his head.  The Red iPod on the other hand doesn't cover the head.  The arms are outside on the both of them...but there is enough room on the blue iPod to keep the arms inside.  It can be a bit of trial and error, just remember whichever costume you choose, the length should not surpass their knees.  In other words, it's easier to walk if the cardboard is above their knees. 

With the measurements above outlined in pencil, I cut the cardboard with a box cutter.  If you're so lucky to find a cardboard box that closely resembles either of these measurements - you're way ahead of the curve.  If you're making your iPod box (cut)from a very large piece of cardboard, always remember - measure twice, cut once!  And use duct tape to reinforce the folds.

Tip:  Creating the box is the beginning, but to save time and effort, now would be a good time to draw and cut out holes for the arms and head, depending on which iPod you choose to make. 

Golden Rule:  Remember to recycle what you don't use. 


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37 comments
Dec 12, 2010. 10:00 PMshaniafan1234 says:
you should have gotten those huge ipod ear phones from fredflare.com. would have been the perfect size for the ipods!! they are kind of pricey though....
huge ear phones.jpg
Mar 11, 2011. 7:36 AMboom1234 says:
LoL
Sep 19, 2010. 9:29 PMbusymommy says:
Wow!! What a great idea! I bet you're the coolest daddy on the block! Thanks for the great idea & instructions; I'm thinking I might give that a try if my daughter, nieces & nephew don't! ;)
Oct 15, 2009. 11:21 AMmr skellington says:
My cat sometimes goes meow and it makes me sad
Nov 9, 2009. 3:34 PMVulcanator says:
Ur a Cool Cat Mr.jtigermask13
Oct 20, 2009. 10:58 PMGSpot says:
I'm a dancer, this would be perfect for me, can I use any music player? 
Oct 20, 2009. 6:55 AMDangerGirl says:
Would this costume work if both my Sis & I were in it together..? I wanted a Kissing booth at first...but I love the music thing u made inside. I can't draw, could u send me a copy of your art, I can cut & color??
Oct 20, 2009. 4:03 AMDangerGirl says:
I love this idea, but what do I do if it's a tight fit on my chest?   
Oct 19, 2009. 9:47 AMasdasd says:
my friend name "Iman" made this once. instead of iPod it called "iMan" with 2 gigabutt
Oct 17, 2009. 2:07 PMthelad says:
is the ipod playing music or is it the song that came with the speker still playing?
Oct 17, 2009. 6:14 PMthelad says:
thanks man really helped
Oct 17, 2009. 12:00 PMthelad says:
is thar a way i can get my ipod to play out of the speker?
Oct 16, 2009. 4:59 AMBartboy says:
I can't tell which is better....
:(
Oct 16, 2009. 2:18 AMrachel says:
Wow, awesome costumes --
and awesome instructable!
Oct 13, 2009. 5:31 AMPuckstoppingPoke says:
Great Ipods.  This is such a great idea.  Like you, I have also been making an Optimus Prime.  I saw your new Instructable and wanted to post a comment.

I'll bet you are sick of cutting cardboard by now.
Oct 14, 2009. 7:51 PMwax54 says:
I really like it I am making a pacman costume instructable but its not complete.
Oct 15, 2009. 12:16 PMwax54 says:
It isn't that good for a few reasons I am 11, its my first, and I didn'ttake pics during the actual thing only after. still was fun runningaround in it. the all the kids my age thought it was cheese.

no respect for old games... they were more fun.
Oct 14, 2009. 5:08 PMTommyhzy says:
 AWESOME. 

(Also glad you didn't do an iPod Touch, or people would want to touchthe menu items... :P)
Oct 15, 2009. 4:21 AMmattmichielsen says:
I made something similar a few years ago, but I used a laptopand wrote software to make it look/work like a real iPod.  I wishI had video, but some pictures are here:  www.flickr.com/photos/mattmichielsen/sets/72157594354509173/  If there's any demand I can put it back together to demonstrate.
Oct 15, 2009. 4:38 AMfishpie23 says:
 thats.....so........AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 13, 2009. 1:46 PMAwesome-aniac says:
I like it.
Oct 13, 2009. 6:46 AMalex-sharetskiy says:
great costumes!
Oct 12, 2009. 9:50 PMpancho del rancho says:
dude when i saw it i thought it was the small ones like the real ones haha cool though
Oct 12, 2009. 9:41 PMqballcat says:
you...are...AWESOME!!

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Author:jtigermask13