Switch & Circuit Wizards: Inventing Interactive Light Boards

Powering Curiosity Through Simple Circuits

What if kids could learn electrical principles without a single textbook—just with tape, paper, lights, and curiosity? In this blog, part of our “Creative Skills Lab” series, we invite young inventors to explore how circuits work through hands-on light board designs. From parallel circuits that light up multiple LEDs to pressure-sensitive switches hidden under drawings, this is science as play, invention as learning.

No soldering, no screens—just imagination and a dash of conductive creativity.

Illuminating the Basics: Circuits 101 for Kids

Electric circuits are closed loops that allow electricity to flow. A simple circuit includes a power source (battery), pathway (wire or conductive tape), and load (like a light bulb or buzzer). Kids can visualise circuits by building them with paper, tape, and LEDs, learning real-world problem-solving while having fun.

Two types of circuits come into play:

• Series circuits: electricity flows through one path.
• Parallel circuits: electricity flows through multiple branches—perfect for lighting up several areas independently.

By experimenting with both, children begin to grasp concepts like resistance, voltage, and connectivity.

Hands-On Projects to Spark Learning

1. Make Your Own Parallel Circuit Light Display

Objective: Build a working parallel circuit to power multiple LEDs independently.

Materials:

• Stiff cardstock or cardboard
• Copper tape (conductive)
• 3V coin cell batteries
• LEDs (3–5, assorted colors)
• Clear tape
• Markers for decoration

Steps:

1. Sketch your light board design (e.g., a robot, rocket, city skyline).
2. Plan circuit paths for each LED. Each should connect to the battery directly, not in a single chain.
3. Lay down copper tape to form the parallel lines.
4. Insert each LED’s legs over the tape. Long leg to + side.
5. Tape battery in place, ensuring correct polarity.
6. Add creative elements (windows, stars, etc.) around the lights.

What to Observe: LEDs will light up individually. If one goes out, the others stay lit—showing how parallel circuits work.

2. Create Pressure-Sensitive Switch Cards

Objective: Make a drawing light up only when you press the right spot.

Materials:

• Cardstock or index card
• Copper or aluminium foil
• Foam spacer or paper folded multiple times
• LED
• Coin cell battery
• Tape

Steps:

1. Fold a base card and draw a picture with a hidden “magic spot.”
2. On the inside, place one strip of foil on the top flap, and one on the bottom, separated by foam.
3. Place LED and battery so circuit completes when the foil touches.
4. Press the “magic spot” to connect foil pieces and light up.

What to Observe: A light appears only when pressure is applied—introducing basic switching concepts in a fun way.

Quick Swaps for Curious Makers

Short on time or materials? Try these simplified alternatives:

• Paperclip Push Switch: Bend a paperclip to connect two metal brads on a circuit when pressed down.
• Sticky Note Battery Tester: Wrap foil inside a sticky note, slide in a battery and LED, and press to test connectivity.

These tiny builds are perfect for warm-ups or DIY STEM stations.

Extend the Learning

Once kids build the basic circuits, challenge them to:

• Add switches, buzzers, or parallel branches
• Draw blueprints before building
• Design light-up cards, bookmarks, or dioramas

Books like “Electricity for Young Makers” and “STEAM Powered Kids: Light” are great companions.

For digital inspiration, check out Tinkercad Circuits or Snap Circuits kits that simulate and expand on physical builds.

Final Charge: Creativity is the Conductor

Simple circuits open the door to big ideas. When kids create interactive light boards and pressure switches, they’re not just following directions—they’re thinking like engineers. These projects fuse art, physics, and invention into one bright spark of possibility.

Free Downloads

All three resources below have been combined into one easy-to-use printable file: Switch & Circuit Wizards Activity Pack (PDF) Includes:

Parallel Circuit Light Display Diagram

Pressure Switch Card Template

Quick Build Guides: Paperclip + Sticky Note Hack