Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

Solderless Breadboard Projects for Kids

According to Sciencebuddies.org, solderless breadboards are plastic electronic boards that don't require soldering to connect electrical parts. The holes contain strips of metal underneath the holes that connect rows of holes. You make an electrical connection inserting electronic components or wires into the one hole and connecting it to another hole in the same row. Solderless breadboards make creating an electronic circuit fast and safe for kids because there's no need to solder connections.

LED Circuit
- An LED series is a simple circuit that kids will enjoy creating. Connect several LED lights in a series on a solderless breadboard by connecting a row of connections with lights, a 9-volt battery and resistor to lower the voltage. Kids can connect the 9-volt battery to the breadboard with a battery terminal found at electronic and hobby stores. You connect the positive terminal on the battery to one end of the series with a wire and the negative terminal to the other. The lights and the resistor between the two connections complete the electrical connection.
Radio
- Kids can use a solderless breadboard to make a small radio receiver using an antenna coil, a radio circuit, an earphone, resistors, a 1.5-volt battery and a capacitor to tune the radio frequency. Kids can wind their own antenna coil using a ceramic or plastic circle and copper wire, or you can buy parts at a hobby or electronics store. Diagrams for a simple radio receiver are simple to read and available at most hobby stores.
Arduino Controller
- An Arduino is a programmable computer microcontroller that you can assemble using a solderless breadboard. You can program the Arduino using software downloaded from arduino.cc to perform tasks, such as turning on or off lights and appliances or even sending a message via email. Kids need a diagram and a few parts but can probably finish building and start programming their Arduino in one day.
Simple Logic Power Supply
- A logic circuit performs a function based on whether a condition is "true" or "false." The circuit consists of two incoming electrical signals and one outgoing signal. The circuit compares the two incoming signals and sends a signal based on a set of conditions. For example, calculators and computers use logic circuits, also called logic gates, and open or close a circuit based on the condition. Kids can use a solderless breadboard, a 9-volt direct current transformer, a regulator, electroylitic transformer and some wires. Diagrams and supplies are available at hobby and electronic stores.

Other Hobbies