Amazing Buttons Box for Kids

Intro: Amazing Buttons Box for Kids

There is the project I build for my two years old son. He like playing with all kinds of buttons he found everywhere. But they almost done nothing for him, except the ones on my dryer. So I decided to give him an box full of buttons that take different action on lights and a motor.

STEP 1: Choose Components Wisely

For my son and for many other kids, it's not only what the buttons do, but how to manipulate them and trigger them. So it's a fairly choice to get different types of buttons like one you swap, some you lift, other you pull or push. So I found about 10 types of buttons from an electronic store nearby.

The actions I planned for the buttons is to trigger some lights and one motor. I have chosen leds for almost all of them except for two, because I wanted the box to work with batteries. I used four C type batteries, so the box works a while with this power source.

STEP 2: Mesure All Components

The best way to fit all components on and in the box is to take some time to mesure all of them.

The holes I needed to place the parts do not needed to be so precise, so I used a compass and a ruler. Otherwise I would have been purchased caliper.

STEP 3: Plan Where to Put the Parts

I used a vector drawing software to create the plan where I would and could place all the buttons and the other parts. This step can be done by hand on a paper, but it's much faster to do it with a drawing software. It's possible and easier to move parts to fit them along each other. Especially because it's not much difficult to place part on the surface, but it's harder to think of the space they take inside the box.

STEP 4: Cutting Holes

After I stuck the paper to the box, I drilled the holes. I also use a rotary tool to cut bigger round holes and the square ones.

STEP 5: The Electronic Circuit

The project is almost done by wiring the component. But I decided in the while to add some electronics to it. A flip flop led flasher and an AND gate. The AND gate is used to make the two arcade button light up a led only when they are pressed together. The flip flop make two led flash when the pull button is activated.

I first made a prototype of the two circuit and test the speed of the flip flop flasher. I used two 2N3904 for flasher because I already have it in stock. You can easily find this circuit on the web also the gate circuit I made with two 2N2222. But it's not the essence of the whole project here, so I will cut here for this part.

After the prototype was tested well. I used a prefabricated circuit board to assemble the parts. I also place header to connect wires, so I can unplug it if I need to work on it.

STEP 6: Wiring All the Parts

Like you see, the wiring is a total mess. Why? This is because I did not plan it well and I start soldering wire one after another. By chance it's not so important in this project. I tried several times to close the box to finally get to it. But the next time I will have to change the batteries I will get to this process again. So if the alkaline batteries do not last long, I planned to replace them with rechargeable ones and add a connector to the box to recharge them.

I put the circuit board in an antistatic bag to isolate it from the unprotected buttons poles.

STEP 7: In Action

Thank you. If you have any questions or you want to know about my other projects go to playwithmyled.com.

Comments

[BrianP130]

Are these available for purchase?

[kevinfilteau]

No it’s a unique piece. I’m also about to make some changes to it.

[kevinfilteau]

Sorry no, I have made only one and cost me about 100$. I'm currently updating it with new battery holder and an Arduio to control some features. Thank your for your interest.

[kelseymh]

That is so cool! Two year oIds? I know plenty of undergraduates who would spend hours playing with this thing. What an awesome toy for your son!

I guess that English is not your first language: there are some odd grammatical constructions in your text. If you are not offended, I would be happy to make some suggestions for changing the words here and there.

[kevinfilteau]

You are right, english is not my first, but I do my best and I will be glad if you help me! Thank-you.

[bruinjon2010]

Kevin, you speak and/or write well enough to be understood, that's for sure. This is a great toy, I want to make one for my son! I have so many old electronics laying around too, I never thought about using them for something so fun. Great piece of work, thanks for sharing!

[kelseymh]

You're most welcome. Everything was understandable, and we Americans appreciate you writing in English (though I wish Instructables had more projects in first languages). I'll send you a PM with some comments on the text; it doesn't seem really appropriate to do that here.

[Lithium Rain]

Undergraduates? Pfft, you post-docs aren't too good to play with the button box, don't act like you don't want to... :P

[kevinfilteau]

I will give it to him sunday. I can wait!!

[mikolynn]

Nice project, Time ago I make one light box, but you do it better!
If you want to replace battery system, maybe you can use the "joule thief" method to save in battery cost... ;)

[1161858]

the big button seems to be the funnest so far and how come there was no music, :D

[beemakka]

Kevin, this is so timely and something I had in the back of my mind for my grandkids, the oldest of whom is only 2 but already so techno savvy. As usual, an idea is one thing, putting it into reality is another (disorganized procrastinator) but you have provided the impetus...good on you!

[paschott]

That's pretty cool. If we had a younger kid in our lives, we would definitely be considering this as it looks awesome to keep younger kids entertained (and even some older ones).

[Steve-Abx]

Its not dangerous in this instance but anti-static bags are conductive.
You will get some current flow through the bag which will reduce your battery life.
You would be better off with a "normal" plastic bag.

[kevinfilteau]

I did not know that. Thank you for the information!

[Lithium Rain]

I've had this same idea, but never implemented it. Nice button box!

[DrakerDG]

The idea is pretty good for the variety of buttons, but I think in the case of push buttons, sounds can be deployed on different frequencies to stimulate the sense of hearing also.

[dmdsanchez]

Would it be possible for you to post the parts list and instructions on how to do this?

[kevinfilteau]

I unfortunately don't have any schematics, plan or procedure to build that box. I purchased some buttons, LEDs and lights on an electronic supplier on the fly. I made a plan for the part disposition and start soldering thing together. Like you can see, it's a total mess inside the box.

But you can find the circuit for the flip flop here http://www.josepino.com/?led-flasher-circuits1. I use the second circuit with the 2N3904. Try first on a protoboard for the resistor and capacitor values. If I remember correctly I use 100uf capacitor and 1k resistors. Not sure at all. For the And Gate I use this circuit http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/Electronic/trangate.html. Every LEDs need to be wired with a resistor. You can use the classic V=IR formula. In my project I use 470ohm. There OK for the high brightness LEDs, but to high for normal LEDs. For the rest, is only wiring a switch with a LED.

I hope I answer your question at best.

[dmdsanchez]

Thanks