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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/5 dollar (depending on the amount you order)
Templates and Shopping List
Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to download my workshop kit.
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:
One Circuit Many Different Oportunities
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
You will find some emoticons and symbols in this template. It also includes empty spaces for painting or drawing! Use these icons to decorate your Touchcubes.
Match Three Game
I tried to use multiple Touchcubes to create a little game. Players mix colors to get matching colors. Game rules and playing cards are also included.
Easy Paper Circuit
This template is great for experimenting with different components. Use velostat in between the switch to get a pressure-sensitive button! This template is also included. If you want to look at it, you can get it upfront here: Download Easy Circuit
Magic Wand for Scratch Games
Make magic happen
Good news! You can create something extraordinary with my TouchCubes. It is like a magic wand to control Scratch games. And the best: Scratch games can easily be programmed by kids!
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.