10

Minor Versionm

by Joshua

Christmas Card

Written By: Pete Prodoehl (and one other contributor)
  • Comments: 0
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  • Completions: 1

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

8

Time Required

00:10:00 - 00:25:00

Sections

1

Flags

0

Introduction

Light up this card featuring a Christmas tree with three LEDs and some conductive Maker Tape.

There's a full-color version as well as a black & white version that makes a great coloring activity.

You can make this project (and many more!) with our Paper Circuits Kit.

Video Overview

Featured Document

  1. Print out the template and cut it out. You can choose to print the color version or the black & white version which you can then color and decorate as desired.

    • Print out the template and cut it out.

    • You can choose to print the color version or the black & white version which you can then color and decorate as desired.

    • The inside of the card shows how and where to build the circuit.

    • We recommend printing the card on a heavier paper like cardstock.

  2. Poke holes through the front for the LED legs.

    • Poke holes through the front for the LED legs.

    • We recommend using a safety pin or paper clip.

  3. Insert LED legs through from front of card and bend them down flat to the paper.

    • Insert LED legs through from front of card and bend them down flat to the paper.

    • Remember! LEDs have a positive leg (+) which is long, and a negative leg (-) which is short.

    • Make sure you have the polarity correct, meaning we have our positive legs matching the plus signs on the card, and the negative legs matching the minus signs on the card.

  4. Add a strip of conductive Maker Tape over the negative legs of the LEDs. You can use two pieces, or one long piece with a slight bend by folding the tape a bit.

    • Add a strip of conductive Maker Tape over the negative legs of the LEDs. You can use two pieces, or one long piece with a slight bend by folding the tape a bit.

    • Maker Tape is conductive on both sides and all the way through, so overlapping it works great for our electrical connection.

  5. Make a small loop of Maker Tape and stick it down to the end of our negative tape where the battery will go.

    • Make a small loop of Maker Tape and stick it down to the end of our negative tape where the battery will go.

    • This tape loop will serve to hold our battery in place, and also work as an electrical connection to the battery, allowing current to flow.

  6. Stick the battery down to the tape loop with the negative side down.

    • Stick the battery down to the tape loop with the negative side down.

    • We've now completed the negative side of the circuit!

  7. Add the positive tape as shown, starting with a piece on top of the battery. This circuit does not have an on/off switch, but you can easily turn off the circuit by carefully peeling back the piece of Maker Tape on top of the battery so it does not make a connection. (This is also how you can replace the battery if needed.)

    • Add the positive tape as shown, starting with a piece on top of the battery.

    • This circuit does not have an on/off switch, but you can easily turn off the circuit by carefully peeling back the piece of Maker Tape on top of the battery so it does not make a connection. (This is also how you can replace the battery if needed.)

    • Your card should light up as soon as you connect all the tape. If any of the LEDs do not stay lit just press down on the tape to ensure a good connection.

  8. Enjoy your new Christmas Card! If you want a new challenge print another one and design your own circuit that works using the other three ornaments for the LEDs. If you want a new challenge print another one and design your own circuit that works using the other three ornaments for the LEDs.

    • Enjoy your new Christmas Card!

    • If you want a new challenge print another one and design your own circuit that works using the other three ornaments for the LEDs.

Finish Line

One other person completed this guide.

Attached Documents

Author

with 1 other contributor

Pete Prodoehl

Member since: 03/04/2020

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271 Guides authored

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