Introduction: LeD SPIDIES - Halloween CRAFT for KIDS
This Instructable will show you how to put together some LeD Spidies for Halloween.
They are simple to make and fun to hide in dark corners for guests to find.
I have tried to keep this simple and to the point for the younger viewers. If you are after something a little more challenging, perhaps incorporate a vibe motor and some moving limbs to the equation. Widow Maker
Step 1: What We Will Need
Hopefully you should be able to find most of what you need around the house.
~ 1 X Coathanger (for the legs).
~ 1 X Egg Carton.
~ 2 X LeD.
~ 1 X Battery (that suits the two LeD's).
~ 2 X Short peice of wire or 1 X Long peice of wire to cut in half (you decide).
~ 1 X Pliers (to bend wire for legs).
~ 1 X Hot glue gun or suitable glue.
~ 1 x Large boot (to squish your Spidie if they go wild crazy)
Before we go any further. Who doesn't know what an LeD is?
An LeD is a Light Emitting Diode.
Basically it is like a tiny little globe that shines light. They come in lots of different colours and strengths. Using them will be a great way of making your Spidie stand out in the dark.
They are also going to save the world, especially the blue ones. Remember that kids.
Step 2: Making the Body
In this step we will make the body for our Spidie.
Take your egg carton and cut out one of the holders.
We only need one each. So there is plenty more to make others.
Once you have removed one section, trim the bottom edge up so it is neat.
Make two LeD sized wholes at the front to suit your lights. Insert them and attach the battery.
To save having to solder just use some electical tape to hold the battery to the wires.
This will be it's body.
Step 3: Making the Legs
In this step we will make the Spidies legs.
You may need some help bending the coat hanger wire if it is a little stiff.
The leg shape all depends on the final look you are going for.
Will he be aggressive?
Do we need his front legs in the air?
We need an upside down V in the middle of each section to allow our egg carton to sit on top.
You will need to take two of the pieces and bend them to suit the middle 2 pairs of legs which will make a X.
Then takes the other two pieces and bend them to suit the front two legs and the rear two.
Like I said before the shape is up to you and it doesn't matter if they are a little uneven, it adds character.
Once you have bent the legs sections it is time to glue the legs together..
It may be best the to do one set at a time.
Step 4: Attaching the Body to the Legs.
This is the final stage of the spidie.
we need to use your glue to attach the body to the legs.
If you put a fair amount on the upside down V section of the legs then you should be able to just place the body on top and it will hold. If it does not apply a little more glue...
Step 5: Decorate Your Spidie
How you decorate your spidie is up to you.
You can make him as scary as you like or as friendly as you like.
You should be able to use permanent marker to color him black if you wish.
Make lots of them and have your self a Spidie outbreak!
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40 Comments
13 years ago on Step 5
love the way you positioned the legs :0)
Reply 13 years ago on Step 5
Te he he! Yes, he is posed well. :)
13 years ago on Step 2
This is a cool project. Have I missed where to put the battery? I have never worked with LED's in my life. I really want to learn, so thank you for sharing your information and good sense of humor.
14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the inspiration! Great Instructable. Loved the idea so much we made a 1 hour drive (each way ) to get the supplies! Here is the Spidie my son Zack and I came up with.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc256/Electron_Forge/Spidie.jpg (WFS)
Hollowed out a Styrofoam ball with a hot foam craft knife and hid the goodies in side. The pipe cleaner legs are straight through the body and allow easy repositioning. A hidden switch in the bottom for easy on/off. A little paint and some black and orange "hair" over the body and look out little sister!
Glisson
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
WoW!!!! That is awesome! He looks terrific. Thankyou very much for your kind words. I hope he does a good job at lil' sista scaring! ;)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
The best part was when I went to The Source (Canadian Radio Shack wannabe) to grab some things to build more (little sis wants one now too.) I showed the owner my pics of the Spidie and told her about Instructables and she gave me over $500 worth of stuff that was going to get thrown out or shipped back to the company for free! Jacks, project boxes, transistors, leds, voltage regulators and tons of other goodies were inside the unwanted electronics devices waiting for me to create something with them! Glisson
14 years ago on Step 5
This is adorable!
Reply 14 years ago on Step 5
Thanks! ;)
14 years ago on Introduction
Did you use clay to hold the LEDs and Battery together?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
No, the wires are just taped directly to the coin cell battery. You could use and a epoxy/clay mix to fix them.
14 years ago on Introduction
A trick from cheap LED toys: You can make a switch from two slips of plastic or paper: one with 2 holes in it between the tape and the battery, and one to break the circuit. The sandwich goes like this: tape, +LED leads, battery, slip, slip with holes, -LED leads (peeking thru holes), tape. The LED leads straddle the battery if you bend them nicely. Hope that makes sense!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I understand, thanks for your comment. You wouldn't have a picture to show others would you?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
of a smile? ummmm ...no not yet... i can't make the spidies yet either :)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Sorry, that comment was for Xybyrgy. We started a convo in the middle of another one.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
No pics, but here's a diagram.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the tips. that looks like a very solid design.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Hey.. these are really cool.. thanx for pointing them out to me.. I am sure my kids will enjoy making these
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
That is fantastic to hear! As pointed out below. Pipe cleaners should work fine also, if that is more an appropriate medium for the legs. I was hoping to bring a few smiles to some childrens faces!! Tell them please, that I would love to post some pictures of their creations on here for everyone to see as well. Your comment makes me smile. Thankyou.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I will let you know when they make them.. A friend of mine told me once that I was good at making them smile. ;) You are welcome.
14 years ago on Step 3
I wonder if black, fuzzy pipe cleaners would work as legs. They would look nice.