Electronic Jack-O’-Lantern

Tech-loving makers around the world are inspired by Halloween to create pumpkins that shoot lasers, flash messages with lights or shoot silly string when someone walks by … all using LED lights, sensors or arduinos. They call them Hack-O’-Lanterns. Roll up your sleeves, clean that cold goop out of your pumpkin and get making.

This easy how-to, Tiny LED Jack-O’-Lantern, from Instructables.com is a great start for YOU, kid makers!

• Maker Zack Scott takes you step by step through the lighting of a pie pumpkin with an LED module. He shares photos for each step. When its done, you have a little jack-o’-lantern that lights up with the flick of switch on the back of the pumpkin!
• Zack draws his circuit diagram to show you just how the electricity needs to run between the batteries, switch and light. Learning to build a simple circuit like this opens the door for all kinds of other projects. For example, make your Halloween costume light up with the simple circuit in our Light Up Wristband how-to.

Wondering where to find the parts to make your own hack o’lantern?

While you might not have a resistor or snap connector just lying about under your bed, you can easily find these parts at RadioShack or the other awesome maker supply websites on our Resources Page. Most of the parts you’ll need cost just a few dollars. Plus, you might find some other kits on these websites to add new actions to your “hack o’lantern” like sound recorders or motors!

Share your photos with us at info@makeshopshow.com.

*SAFETY NOTE: Invite an adult helper for this one because of some small, sharp electronics parts, and, of course, the pumpkin carving.

© 2012 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh