Electric Valentine

How I got the Idea:

This is a Remix of the instructable called: Operation Valentine. I wanted to use bigger boxes and color mine so I thought of a slightly different process for the game board construction.

Thing you will need:

2 Empty food boxes( Extra box to make candy trays)

Aluminum Foil

X-acto Knife

Glue: Hot Glue and glue stick

LED's – any color you choose

Scissors

Construction Paper

Markers, Crayons or Colored Pencils

Wire (2 colors is preferred)

Wire Cutters Electrical Tape & Scotch Tape

Metal Barrette Clip

Coin Battery

Step 1: BREAKDOWN FOOD BOX

Start by breaking down the box at its seams. Make it flat.

Step 2: PLAN THEN CUT HOLES IN CARDBOARD

Make a quick stencil out of paper. Fold a piece of paper in half and cut out shapes (hearts in this case for V-day). Draw your pattern on the cardboard (graphic face down). Then cut your shapes. I would recommended no more that 3-4 holes for your game (otherwise you will be cutting a lot like I had too). Also cut on some sort of cutting mat or board so you don't damage your actual table.

*This is the part of the instructable I would have the parent or guardian help with since you will need the X-acto knife. Also the same for any other parts that require the X-acto knife.

Step 3: ADD CONSTRUCTION PAPER

Use a colored pencil to make rubbings of shape cutouts and the edge of the box. Then cut out the shapes. Glue pieces to the front (Graphic side down) and sides of the box. Now you can decorate your box! Use makers, crayons, colored pencil to add details.

Step 4: GLUE ALUMINUM TO CARDBOARD, CUT HOLES IN ALUMINUM

Size your aluminum foil against the box size you are using. Press and run your fingers across the foil to crease it. Crease your foil around the main face of the box. Then cut. I also cut a corner out of the foil for some of the pieces of the circuit to be placed. Glue your foil to the cardboard.

Cut holes out of aluminum (leave a small amount of edge on the shape as you cut them out.

*Optional: you can fold the edges of aluminum over the front of the box if you like.

Step 5: MAKE CIRCUIT

Make a hole for LED, place led and tape the positive leg down to the aluminum with electrical tape.(Optional) I used Bare paint (Conductive Electrical Paint) to make sure the (+) leg was secure. I attached a short wire (about 2-4 in) to the other (-) leg of the LED. Use the electrical tape again to tape the wire to the batteries negative poll and the tong wire ( the longest wire) to the (+) side of the battery. Make sure the wires are making good contact with the battery. Scott tape the loose wires down against the aluminum.

(See diagram pictures for details)

Test your circuit, did the light come on?

Grab the wire for tong and touch it to the aluminum. If it didn't work check your circuit. Did you have the wires touching the right sides of the battery? Were all wires covered well with electrical tape?

Step 6: ADD TONG, GLUE BOX TOGETHER

Push the long wire (positive side) through the hole we made in the last step. Wrap the exposed copper around the metal clip so that it is attached. Test to see if the circuit completes.

Glue box against the seams to complete the main operation board. Test your circuit again, make sure it works after gluing.

Step 7: MAKE CANDY TRAYS

This is where the extra box comes into play. You will cut it down and glue it to make trays to slide into the box and hold the candy up close towards the top of the box. Start by cutting down your extra box. Cut the edges off and leave the main faces of the box intact. With a straight edge, draw lines vertical and horizontal on the cardboard. Then cut a slit in each corner. Fold all edges. Hot glue the corners together. Use a strip of the cardboard to make the divisions. Lastly add legs to your trays to boost the box up. Cut extra cardboard in rectangles (cut enough to support the size of your trays). Draw lines to help guide your folds. Glue legs on and test by sliding tray into your box (Be careful not to damage your circuit)

Step 8: PLAY YOUR GAME

Load the trays with your favorite candy or snacks and play your game!