13 Interactive DIY Projects Worth Making Soon
Got some downtime coming up and have no idea how to spend it? Here are 13 interactive DIY projects to kill time and express your creativity. Some, like the interactive LED dandelion, make great gifts for that little niece or nephew in your life. In contrast, others, like the LED table and laser tripwire, are practical and can potentially transform your space. Read on for more details.
1. Arduino Mood Lamp
Trying to achieve some cozy or romantic ambiance in your space? This Arduino mood lamp will get the job done. And it does an even better job than ordinary mood lamps because it changes from one color to another in response to its environment. This is thanks to the built-in clock, temperature sensor, and microphone. It is Arduino-controlled to make it capable of some surprising tricks such as:
As shown in theInstructables guide, you will need a string of supplies, but they’re easy to find and affordable. Here are some moreArduino LED projectsyou can try out.
2. Unwashed Hands Alarm
Did you know that 10.4% of people forget to wash their hands after using the bathroom at home, while 5% of public bathroom washers are also victims of the bad habit? If you are among them or have a few notorious non-hand washers in your household, this alarm project is just what you need to get people washing their hands in your home.
It has three Arduino-controlled sensors, each contributing to the process. The first one detects when you use the lavatory, the second one senses when a sink is used, and the last one detects when you open the door. If you skip washing your hands, the alarm goes off when you open the door to leave, reminding you of a crucial duty. Check how to complete this project in theInstructables guide.
3. Interactive Skull
Looking to add a touch of horror to your home office or are you out of Halloween ideas? Try building this awesome interactive skull, as shown onInstructables. At first glance, it looks just like your ordinary dentist’s office skeleton, but you may remote-control it to open its mouth and roll its eyes. It looks pretty cool, and it would spook the pants off of anyone meeting it for the first time. Seeking more spooky tech DIY ideas to actualize this Halloween? Check out theseawesome DIY pranks to play on anyone.
4. Interactive Arduino Dandelion
Surprise your child or romantic partner with this cute Arduino dandelion clock and watch them beam with happiness. It’s designed as a yellow flower with LEDs serving as petals. And it changes from a flower to a white dandelion clock you can blow on to disperse the seeds. It brings art and technology together because it’s sewn and Arduino-controlled. TheInstructables tutorialshows how to hack this project easily. Does your loved one like photos for presents instead? There arenumerous ways to turn your photos into gifts.
5. Interactive Gloves
Imagine a glove that detects hand orientation and can be used to control objects on your TV screen. It would be awesome, right? You don’t have to look far for it because this interactive glove comes close. It can detect not just orientation but also how far each of your fingers is bent, and theInstructables guidebreaks down the DIY instructions pretty well.
6. Interactive LED Shoes
Want to be the king or queen of the dance hall the next time you go out? These DIY LED shoes will undoubtedly earn you the title. Each shoe is Arduino-powered to detect movement and trigger the attached LEDs to light up. More interestingly, you have several mode options, meaning you can switch between different lighting effects when walking, running, or tapping your feet. TheInstructables guidedoes a good job of breaking down the steps to making this project a success. Here are some morestunning LED projects to light up your next party.
7. The Interactive Donation Box
Want to stand out at the next charity event, or are you tired of walking around with a fundraiser sheet asking for donations? This interactive donation box will not only get people to come to you, but will also thank them on your behalf. It has Arduino-controlled LEDs, which flicker in different colors to attract attention. Even better, an ultrasonic sensor detects when someone makes a donation, triggering a servo to wave a thank-you sign. Check out how to make it on theInstructables page.
8. Interactive Fuzzy LED Belt
Another way to have all eyes on you the next time you are out partying with your buddies is by making and rocking this cool interactive belt made onInstructables. It features sensors, a mic, and a gyroscope to detect and respond to sound and movement. So, whether you’re doing the macarena or dancing to Livin’ La Vida Loca, you could be sure it’s accentuating your movements. And guess what? You can also rock it as a bandolier or even wall-mount it.
9. Interactive LED Table
This interactive LED project proves tables can also make an excellent focal point. It’s made using regular lumber: pine for the legs and for the wooden tray. The latter holds lots of LEDs (along with resistors, capacitors, and microchips) to make the table light up. They’re protected by a glass panel. Find out how to build this amazing table in theInstructables guide. Also, check out some othercreative projects that can make your room more interesting.
10. Interactive Glowing Mushrooms
Looking to incorporate a really cool lighting feature in your space? This interactive glowing mushroom project made onInstructablesfits the bill. It features five LED-equipped, silicone-sealant mushrooms that glow in the dark and can light up individually in response to touch. The best part is that it looks almost real, thanks to the hollowed-out log in the design.
11. Magic Wand That Can Turn Electrical Appliances On and Off
Want to make a Harry Potter fan happy? Build them this DIY magic wand, and you’ll forever have a place in their heart. They can wave it to turn electrical appliances on and off, which is both convenient and fascinating. Check out theInstructables guidefor a list of things you’ll need, including magnetic reed switches.
12. Laser Tripwire Alarm
If you trust your home alarm system but want to improve it, this laser tripwire project might tickle your fancy. It has invisible laser beams which set off an alarm whenever anyone touches them. And although sophisticated and practical, it’s a pretty affordable project, as shown in theInstructables guide. If you love this DIY project, you should definitely try out thesebasic DIY projects to improve your home’s security.
13. Sound Activated Outlet
Imagine clapping to have your coffee maker turn on and make your first cup of mocha every morning. It would be pretty awesome, so you need to check out this sound-activated power outlet made onInstructables. It lets you turn various outlets and appliances on and off by clapping. And unlike the classic 1980s Clapper gadget, it can independently control multiple outlets using different clapping patterns.
Have Fun With Interactive DIY Projects
A good DIY project can not only kill time, it’s also an excellent creative outlet. And above, we have shown you not one but 13 awesome interactive projects you can try. Feel free to replicate them as they are or tweak some details to build something fascinating of your own design.
Artworks don’t need to be static affairs. Add motion to them to create extra interest in your home or office.
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