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Video Tutorial
As a former game designer, I know that kids love to play and interact with technology. Usually, creating interactivity needs programming or complex circuits. To change that, I created this simple Lightcube on a touchable paper surface using only simple electronics. Depending on where you touch it, the Lightcube changes its color! These Touchcubes are a great STEAM activity for kids to explore touch-sensitive paper circuits and RGB LEDs. Combine multiple Touchcubes to create a big touch matrix. You can even play and invent games with that!
Watch the video below to learn how to make this easy and fun STEAM project together with kids!
In Short:
Recommended age: 9 years and older
Skill level electronics: Easy
Skill level paper crafting: Easy
Time needed: 90 minutes
Estimated costs per Touchcube: 2-5 euro/dollar (depending on the amount you order)
Templates and Shopping List
Download the workshop kit from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Every download includes:
All the templates you need for this project
My electronics shopping guide for this project
Detailed instructions on my Stress-Free Workshop page
My Easy Circuit template for experimentation
My 3x3 Touchmatrix prototype template (video)
And much more!
Click here to download:
“This is a great resource - excellent quality instruction and a great end product. My students LOVE it! I have tried it with 10-11 year olds and it is manageable (they love it but harder work for the teacher), but really flourishes with 13-14 year old students. We use it as a great end to our junior science electricity unit. ”
One Circuit Many Different Opportunities
Important: All options are included in the download above! For more details watch the video.
The Touchcube
This is the basic circuit with the touch-sensitive paper surface and the color-changing light cube. It is already lots of fun to play with. Check out the ideas below to go a bit further.
Additional Fun Stuff
Icons and Emoticons
This template includes emoticons, symbols, and empty spaces for painting or drawing. Use these to decorate your Touchcubes.
Match Three Game
You can use multiple Touchcubes to create a simple game where players mix colors to match specific shades. Game rules and playing cards are included in the download.
Easy Paper Circuit
This template is great for experimenting with different components. Insert velostat between the switch layers to create a pressure-sensitive button. This template is included in the download.
Prototype of 3x3 Touch Matrix
This prototype template (included in the download) lights up three RGB LEDs when you touch a larger 3×3 touchpoint matrix. While it is impressive, I prefer the modularity of the single Touchcube.
Magic Wand for Scratch Games
Make magic happen
Great news! You can use my Touchcubes like a magic wand to control Scratch games. Best of all, kids can easily program their own Scratch games!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
If you want to use my work commercially, write me an e-mail.
If you use or share my work, please attribute VoltPaperScissors.com as the creator of this work and provide a clickable link where possible.
Find more information about me, my project, and the license I use here.