Ping Pong Pumpkins
The formula: orange ping pong ball + LED + battery + Sharpie = mini Jack-o-lantern that lights up. Portable, cheap, simple, unique, fun and festive.
A simple, easy to make mini Halloween decoration with materials that cost under $1. One of a series of hands-on electronics (barely) projects anyone can put together quickly with their own unique design. It lights up too. Cute (if you want it to be).
Materials:
- orange ping pong ball
- white LED
- 3V “coin” battery (C2032 type)
- tape
- marker
- magnet
Optionally:
- hot glue
- sand paper
- wire
Make them:
- Gather materials. Best in bought in bulk to reduce cost per unit to under $1.
- If the LED is not diffused (looks clear) use some sand paper to roughen the plastic surface which will diffuse the light making an even glow.
- Use something sharp to make a round hole in the ping pong ball (hereafter: pumpkin) the size of the LED lens diameter. Use the side that has the logo on it.
- Draw lines around the pumpkin using a pencil to create a sectioned look.
- Create jack-o-lantern pattern on pumpkin with marker on opposite side of hole.
- Attach LED to battery. The longer positive lead or wire coming out of the LED should contact the top of the battery (labeled ‘+’) and the shorter lead to the bottom. Be careful not to short the battery. The LED should light up.
- Tape the leads to the battery with some tape.
- Insert the LED into the pumpkin hole. If it does not stay in place use some more tape or hot glue.
- Put magnet on the back of battery if you want to stick it to magnetic surfaces, like your fridge.
You’re done. Share with the world for the next week (until the battery goes out). Repeat n-1 more times, where n is the number of Ping Pong Pumpkins you want.