PNW Adapted Toy Library Tutorials

Explore basic electrical circuits, including series and parallel configurations, and analyze and diagram toy circuits with a water-flow analogy; practice with a circuit simulator.

Identify circuit parts such as resistors with ohms and potentialities, capacitors that hold charge, DC power sources in battery holders, and wiring, switches, motors, lights, and speakers.

Explore conductive materials that allow electron flow, like metals and wires, and non-conductive insulators such as plastic and rubber. See how electrical tape directs current in toy adaptations.

Explore switches and battery interrupters, learning how switches create or interrupt a circuit, with toggle, push button, and selector switch types and the water analogy.

Create a battery interrupter that acts as a switch inside a toy’s battery holder using copper foil, wires, and a headphone jack. Learn materials and basic assembly.

Learn the basics of soldering: what solder is, essential materials and tools, techniques for joints, how to avoid cold solder, and safety practices for toy projects.

Master soldering techniques to support adapted toy projects in the PNW Adapted Toy Library Tutorials.

Assess and understand the toy you want to adopt by testing its functions, opening the toy to inspect the circuit, and using a wire tester to locate key connections.

Walk through adapting a bubble blower toy, from opening the device and wiring the circuit to soldering connections, testing battery power, and following the instruction manual.