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)
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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Signing UpStep 1: 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.
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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I have a few ideas for the Art inside...definite improvement to my original, let me know.
Key: We want to take the ends of the left earplug wire and connect to the hallmark speaker. Use black electrical tape once connected. Whatever mp3 player ur use will supply the power.
Let me know if this was helpful
:(
and awesome instructable!
I'll bet you are sick of cutting cardboard by now.
no respect for old games... they were more fun.
(Also glad you didn't do an iPod Touch, or people would want to touchthe menu items... :P)