Introduction: Red LED Nosed Reindeer

About: I used to teach middle school science, but now I run my own online educational science website. I spend my days designing new projects for students and Makers to put together.

He has a very shiny nose, powered by SCIENCE! Make your own red LED nosed reindeer from paper and conductive tape from Brown Dog Gadgets.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

To make the red nosed reindeer you will need the following:

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Pencil for tracing
  • Xacto kinfe
  • Glue stick or tape
  • Black Sharpie or marker

Materials

  • Brown, tan, white, and black thick craft paper.
  • Our conductive tape kit. OR
    • Large paperclip
    • CR2032 battery
    • 1 red gumdrop (10mm) LED
    • Conductive copper tape

Step 2: Video Guide

For those of you who like video instructions, watch this.

Step 3: Tracing and Cutting

Tracing

Trace the following pieces onto the correct color of paper with a pencil.

  • Brown - Reindeer head
  • Tan - muzzle and ears
  • White - eyes
  • Black - Antlers and pupils

Cutting

Cut the pieces out carefully with a scissors or Xacto knife.

If you like you can remove the pencil marks from the pieces with an eraser.

Step 4: Assembling the Head and LED

Eyes

Glue the black pupils onto the white teardrop eyes. Flip the eyes over and trim any excess black paper that sticks beyond the white.

Ears and Muzzle

Glue or tape the ears into place. Make sure that the flat on the ears lines up with the ear on the deer head. Also glue the muzzle to the bottom of the deer head.

LED

Bend the red LED legs 90 deg. Place the LED on the deer head at the top of the muzzle. Cut a small slit in the paper with the Xacto knife directly under the LED. Stick the longer led leg through the slit. The short LED leg should be on the front and the long LED leg should be on the back.

Step 5: Conductive Tape and Battery

Conductive Tape

On the front, run a strip of conductive tape directly up the center of the reindeer head towards the battery tab. Do not put tape onto the tab.

Flip the reindeer head over and run a continuous strip of tape from the LED leg up and over the battery tab onto the front.

Secure the LED legs to the conductive tape on either side with a 1/2 inch strip of conductive tape, creating a secure copper sandwich.

Battery

Place the battery, + positive side up, on top of the front strip of conductive tape and fold the batter tab on top. The red LED should light. If it does not, flip the battery and try again.

Step 6: Final Decorating and Paperclip

Final Assembly

Glue the eyes on either side of the head.

Draw a smile on the reindeer's muzzle with a black sharpie or marker.

Glue the antlers to the back of the reindeer head.

Paperclip

Fold the paperclip into a triangle as shown. Slip it around the battery, holding it in place.

You're done! For more cool projects like this check out BrownDogGadgets.com.