Creating a Magic Box With Your Drawing and Colorful Lights

What We Made: We made a special magic box that lights up with your drawings! Inside the box, there's a shiny mirror with your artwork on it. Around the mirror, there are colorful lights that can change and move in fun ways.

Why We Made It: We made this magic box to have fun and learn new things! You got to draw your own pictures, put together a wooden box, and make the lights change colors. It’s like making your own little piece of magic that you can show to your family and friends!

General Supplies:

1. Small Mirrors (10x10 cm or similar size) – One per child.
2. Laser Engraver – For engraving the kids' drawings onto the mirrors.
3. Wooden Box Kits – Pre-cut pieces of wood for assembling the box (one kit per child).
4. Non-toxic Wood Glue – For assembling the boxes.
5. Clamps – To hold the box pieces while the glue dries.
6. Drawing Tools:

• Paper
• Pencils
• Markers

Electronics:

1. NeoPixels – Individually addressable LED strips (one per child).
2. Digispark Microcontroller – One per child.
3. Battery Packs – To power the microcontrollers and NeoPixels (one per child).
4. Potentiometers – Two per child (one for controlling intensity and one for changing modes).
5. Breadboards – Small breadboards for prototyping circuits (one per child).
6. Wires:

• Jumper wires for connecting components on the breadboard.
• Extra wires for longer connections.

1. Resistors – If needed, depending on the NeoPixel specifications.

Safety and Miscellaneous:

1. Safety Goggles – One pair per child.
2. Gloves – Non-latex, for handling electronic components and glue.
3. First Aid Kit – Just in case of minor injuries.
4. Tape – For securing loose wires and components.
5. Small Screwdrivers – For assembling the wooden boxes, if screws are used.
6. USB Cables – For programming the Digispark microcontrollers (one per child).
7. Computers with Arduino IDE Installed – For uploading code to the Digispark (shared among the group).

Summary Checklist:

For Each Child:

• 1 Small Mirror
• 1 Wooden Box Kit
• Drawing Tools (paper, pencil, markers)
• 1 NeoPixel Strip
• 1 Digispark Microcontroller
• 1 Battery Pack
• 2 Potentiometers
• 1 Breadboard
• Jumper Wires
• 1 Pair of Safety Goggles
• 1 Pair of Gloves

Shared Among Group:

• Laser Engraver
• Wood Glue
• Clamps
• Extra Wires and Resistors
• Tape
• Small Screwdrivers
• USB Cables
• Computers with Arduino IDE
• First Aid Kit

Content:

• Draw your favorite picture on a piece of paper.
• We’ll use this picture to make your box special.

Materials: Paper, pencils, markers

Image: Kids drawing on paper

Note: "Let’s start by drawing something you love. It can be anything – a pet, a favorite toy, or even a rainbow!"

Content:

• Safety First: Wear your goggles and gloves.
• We’ll use a special machine to put your drawing on a mirror.

Materials: Safety goggles, gloves, laser engraver, mirrors

Image: Laser engraving process

Note: "Now, we’re going to make your drawing go onto a mirror using a special machine. Don’t forget your safety gear!"

Content:

• We’ll put the wooden pieces together to make the box.
• Use glue to stick the pieces and clamps to hold them.

Materials: Wooden box kits, glue, clamps

Image: Assembling a wooden box

Note: "Next, let’s build the box. We’ll use glue to stick the parts together and clamps to hold them while they dry."

Content:

• Connect the colorful lights and the tiny computer.
• We’ll make the lights change colors and do fun things.

Materials: NeoPixels, Digispark, breadboards, wires, potentiometers

Image: Kids working with electronics

Note: "Now, let’s add the colorful lights. We’ll connect them to a tiny computer that makes the lights do fun things."

Content:

• Put your mirror inside the box.
• Add the lights and make sure everything fits.

Image: Completed magic box with lights on

Note: "Let’s put everything together! Your mirror goes inside the box, and we’ll add the lights. Then, we’ll see it light up!"

Content:

• Show your magic box to everyone.
• Let’s see all the beautiful lights and drawings!

Image: Group of kids holding their finished boxes

Note: "It’s time to show off your magic box! Let’s see how your drawing lights up. Great job, everyone!"

Content:

• Thank you for joining the fun!
• Take a group photo with your magic boxes.

Image: Group photo of kids with their projects

Note: "Thank you for being amazing creators today! Let’s take a picture together with our magic boxes."