Arduino projects for kids prove electronic tasks don’t have to be difficult and frustrating. Instead, they make children curious about gadgets, so they develop a special interest in technology.
Most projects require basic components like jumper wires, breadboards, motors, LEDs, and sensors, all of which are safe and readily available. Here are 11 easy-to-tackle Arduino projects for kids that will help them make good use of their free time.
1. Electronic Dice
The electronic dice project is an excellent start for kids since it requires little to no electrical know-how. You’ll need seven LEDs, jumper wires, resistors, and Arduino or Arduino clone. The components are easy to use, so kids won’t get bored trying to handle a complicated setup.
Through this task, children can understand how circuits work, which will help them solve real-world problems in the future. The LEDs light up and stop at a random number once you press the button. It’s best to purchase LEDs with your kid’s favorite colors to make the project more exciting.
2. Simple Interactive Robot
The obsession kids have with robot animations is mind-blowing. Children will love engaging in this project, especially when working as a team. The materials required are breadboard, Arduino, double-sided tape, two wheels, headers, and batteries.
Many believe that robotic tasks are complicated, but this one is simple, educative, and fun. It exposes kids to the world of programming and electronics. The joy of seeing the robot move around while avoiding obstacles will motivate them to make more electronic gadgets.
3. Breath Controlled Windmill
Allow kids to learn the relationship between sounds and electronics with the breath controlled windmill project. Children will need a polypropylene sheet to act as feathers, a toy hammer, Arduino Nano clone, LEDs, and a microphone.
A systematic diagram makes the process straightforward, so you can create one together. Kids can add different LEDs to the windmill to look amazing when spinning in a dark room. The windmill rotates once you blow the microphone.
4. Portable SMS Device
Make your kid feel like the next Steve Jobs with this classic Arduino Uno task with code. Connecting the hardware is simple, and little ones will have fun while learning how smartphones work. They will require their usual phone to send messages to the SIM card in the GPRS module. Make sure the SIM card isn’t locked to avoid giving your kid unpleasant surprises.
5. Remote Controlled Robot
Here’s another epic project for kids who love cars and robotic projects. The best thing is that children can control this robot using any remote. By the end of the project, they’ll learn to interface two motors to Arduino and IR receiver to Arduino.
Materials required are 100rpm DC motors, Arduino Uno, Arduino software, 9V batteries, jumper wires, breadboard, IR receiver, chassis, wheels, and L293D motor driver IC. Although the products are many compared to other projects, kids will have an easy and fun time putting the parts together.
6. Digital Pet
Kids who love toys and Arduino coding will appreciate this project. The cost of electronic items is less than $15, so you don’t have to break the bank for a simple task. Some requirements include a 150mAh LiPo Battery, Arduino Pro Mini, a small speaker, a 10K resistor, and a I2C OLED display.
The old-like intercom speaker features a small OLED display with a pet, probably like a dinosaur. Kids can interact with the pet when feeding it while determining how well-behaved it is. Younger kids need your supervision when soldering some parts. It’s best if they take part during the weekend when you’re both less occupied.
7. Bluetooth Controlled Toy Car
Allow your kid to show off their automotive skills with the Bluetooth Controlled Toy Car project. The car is controlled through Bluetooth from any Android phone. The rear side motor drives the vehicle forward and backward, while the front side motor allows kids to turn the toy left or right.
Children find riding the car in the dark more fun, thanks to the LED lights.
8. Blinking LED
The blinking LED project is pretty simple, meaning most kids will have a smooth time creating one. All they need is an LED, a resistor, Arduino Uno (or any other), wire, and solder-less breadboard. Fortunately, kids don’t need to create complicated systematic diagrams for this task.
Blinking LED is one of the most popular Arduino projects, so any parent will do their kids a favor by allowing them to craft one.
Your kids can’t get enough of working with LED lights. Check out these other stunning LED projects they can tackle.
9. USB to TTL Converter
The PC’s serial port or com port is almost becoming obsolete, contributing to the rise of the USB to TTL converter. Although there are many USB to TTL modules in the market, it’ll be better if you pick one that’s easy to solder.
As such, your kid won’t need excess supervision or have a hard time hacking the process. Well, almost all Arduino projects require jumper wires and a breadboard, and this task is no exception.
10. Arduino Traffic Lights
The task involves simple circuitry, making it an excellent choice for both kids and beginner adults. The supplies required are ten LEDs (including red, yellow, and green), two 1 kilohm resistors, two momentary switches, solder-less breadboard, Arduino, and jumper wires. Since kids will deal with many cables, it’s advisable to keep the project neat to know where everything is going.
The task is great for introducing your kids to the fundamentals of coding and electronics.
11. Humidity and Temperature Monitoring System
Children can monitor humidity and temperature using Arduino and other few components such as a DHT11 (RHT01) sensor, breadboard, jumper wires, 1602 LCD screen, 10 kilohm variable resistor, 330 ohm resistor, and 4.7 kilohm resistor.
The project has three sections, one senses the temperature and humidity using DHT11, while the second one extracts the values into a percentage and Celsius scale. The third part allows you to see the humidity and temperature on the LCD.
Challenge Your Kids With Arduino Projects
The above projects will help kids understand how to connect Arduino with other components and devices to perform specific actions while having fun. Better yet, they’ll develop future careers and problem-solving skills. As a parent, you won’t have a hard time finding most resources since they are readily available. The future is for problem solvers, so prepare your kids with these projects.