Rhea’s Neopixel Circuit + Halloween Ideas

Arduino Neopixel Circuit

Shout out to Josh for doing this with me 😊

For Halloween, I’d like to dress up as Edward Scissorhands. My three sketches took on different ways I am going to materialize this concept and incorporate neopixels.

For my first idea, I want to recreate Edward’s mechanical heart. A vibration sensor will detect touch or sound which will trigger a heartbeat pulse in red and white leds. When idle, the heartbeat will be a slow pulsing glow and with movement it will be a rapid heartbeat.

Materials:

  • 1x Arduino Nano/Uno
  • 1x NeoPixel ring
  • 1x Vibration or microphone sensor
  • 5V battery pack
  • Black shirt, with LED ring under fabric

For the second version of this idea, I’d like to create my own take on the Scissorhands. I want the Scissorhands to glow when they’re “being cut”. When the fingers are upright, there will be a white glow and with a cutting motion, red strips of light. I want to use tilt or flex sensors in the gloves to detect movement.

Materials:

  • 2x Flex or tilt ball sensors
  • NeoPixel strip
  • Arduino Nano
  • Portable battery pack
  • Gloves + silver-painted cardboard/foam “blades”

For my last idea, I wanted to create something that expressed Edwards inner emotions because he was often misunderstood. Around the seams of a jacket, I want to incorporate an aura like light that reacts to different lights and glows based off of that reflecting his aura. The darker the world, the more his emotions and aura will surface, when there is more light, they’ll dim.

Materials:

1× Arduino Nano or Uno
1× NeoPixel strip
1× Photoresistor
1× 10kΩ resistor
1× 5V battery pack
1× 300–500Ω resistor
1× 1000µF capacitor
Jumper wires
Small breadboard
Electrical tape / heat shrink
Black jacket or costume base

Thank you 👿

Manya’s Arduino + Halloween Sketches

Arduino Circuit

Tinkercad Circuit Link

Halloween Sketches

  1. Jellyfish Costume

Shopping List/Supplies
– Thin Neopixel Strip
– Clear/transparent blue umbrella
– Sheer fabric strips of varying blue hues

2. Highway Overpass

Shopping List/Supplies
– Black Turtleneck
– Black Pants (maybe)
– Yellow/or Yellow + Multicolor LED strips (some that curve, varied widths)
– Tactile Switch Buttons
– Fabric Glue

3. Runway (new as of 10/10)


Shopping List/Supplies
– Black Turtleneck/Outfit
– Airplane zipper (3d print?)
– Neopixel Strips
– Tactile Switch Buttons
– USB battery pack (have)
– Fabric Glue


4. Flux Dogpacitor

Shopping List/Supplies
– Box (find recycled one)
– Gray Spray paint?
– Transparent vellum/acrylic
– 3 White/Yellow LED Strips
– Red Labels (with embossed text)
– Yellow wire
– Orange elbox connectors
– Foam cylinders

Jisu’s neo-pixel practive& Halloween costume ideas

LINK 🔗

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SQkf6Wjg_8xwQQhyEg1zyNfAh-jkQCvFVwN324HI1io/edit?usp=sharing

3 IDEAS

Idea 1 — Powerpuff Beam 🕶️ + 💙🩷💚

This is a team project with Batu, Yennie, and me.
We got inspired by The Powerpuff Girls and their superpowers — especially the laser beams from their eyes.
Based on our classmates’ feedback, each of us chose one Powerpuff character, and we’ll develop our own colors and concepts accordingly.
Our idea is to create sunglasses that project LED beams from the eyes, representing each character’s unique power and symbol.

Idea 2) Witch’s magic spell nails 💅 + 🪄

This idea is about Witch’s Nail — a Halloween concept inspired by witches’ hand. Since I came to New York, I’ve never had my nails done, so I want to make some nail stuff for Halloween. Like a witch, I will wear black gloves with LED nails, and when I touch something or do a certain hand pose, the color of the LED changes.

Idea3) 🧥+🕸️+💡

I designed a cape with a spiderweb pattern made of LED lights to express the Halloween mood.I designed a Halloween cape that reacts to movement. Using Arduino and LED strips, the spiderweb pattern lights up and spreads out as the wearer moves, creating the illusion of a living, growing web in the dark.

Josh’s Neopixel Costume Proposals

Neopixel Costume Ideas

Dont Push My Button / Not The Red Button

In thinking on something that would promote interactivity with other people at the parade, the first thing I thought of was this play-on-words. Making it literal, the idea is pretty straightforward. They press the buttons (or button on my shirt and it lights up a collar or something similar — maybe it can look like devil horns…not super sure where would make the most sense to dd the neopixel cable (maybe sewn in a column down the shirt). The button would have to be a little larger than the ones in our toolkit…

I’ll need: Adafruit NeoPixel Digital RGB LED Strip – 60 LED 1m, Large LED Button, Arduino Uno, USB power bank, White/Black Shirt.

Uncognito

My favorite halloween costume was some silly glasses with a mustache. I love the idea that this combines lighthearted goof with futuristic LEDs around the rims, and the connecting hardware affixed the the arms of the glasses.

I’ll need: Silly disguise glasses, (2) 2×16 Neopixel Rings, Lipo Backpack, ItsyBitsy M4.

Bloodcomb Jellyfish Umbrella

One of the world’s most incredible creatures, the blood comb jellyfish, lights up in an otherworldly way. This would pay homage to this insanely alien-like wonder, and would be fun and do-able. (Also, above-crowd visibility.) The idea would be to make the lights “run” down the umbrella, mimmicing the shimmer effect of the blood jelly.

I’ll need: Clear PVC umbrella, portable USB power bank, cable ties, FLORA or Circuit Playground Express, LiPoly rechargeable battery (3.75V 2500mAh), micro Lipo battery charger, button, NeoPixel digital RGB LED strip 30 LED (3-6 meters)

Wini’s Maneki-neko Night Light

  1. The name of your plush night light:

Maneki-neko

  1. Photos of your completed project

3. Paragraph description of your project, its story, and the target user. Some ideas to consider:
The purpose of this Maneki-neko project is to bring users luck and fortune, symbolized by its bells and glowing coin. The character design was inspired by a powerful, monster-like character from an animation I love called “DAN DA DAN”—the “Turbo Granny” who is a powerful yokai or apparition. I especially like the glowing coin because it is so eye-catching. I hope this final design conveys a feeling of prosperity and good fortune to all who see it.

4. Description of materials and parts used

  • Sherpa
  • Wool felt
  • Flannel
  • Linen
  • Zipper
  • Battery pack from kit provided
  • 3 AAA batteries
  • 3 yellow LEDs
  • 1 white LED
  • Poly fill
  • Electrical wires
  • Heat shrink tubing
  • 3 resistors (Brown Black Red Gold) 1k Ohms
  • 1 resistor (Yellow Violet Brown Gold) 470 Ohms

5. Description of your journey through this project:

  • Did you try something new during this project? What was the experience like This project provided me with hands-on new experience in several key areas:
    1. Digital knitting
    2. Operating an industrial sewing machine
    3. Stitching specialty fabrics with a standard sewing machine
  • What surprised or challenged you the most during this project?

The initial phase of the Maneki-neko project flowed seamlessly, moving from sizing and expression design to pattern-making and digital embroidery. The real challenge began during assembly. The chosen fabric was thick and fuzzy, causing the sewing machine to constantly jam, which forced frequent stops for cleaning. This difficulty led to some shape distortion, but through persistence, the piece was successfully stitched together.

  • If you had more time to work on this project, what would you do to refine it further?

I will resew the Maneki-neko’s body by hand to center it.

6. Circuit diagram

8. In-progress images

Testing the white LED with resistor (Brown Black Red Gold) 1k Ohms

Testing the white LED with resistor  (Yellow Violet Brown Gold) 470 Ohms

StrandTest+Halloween Sketches–Zoe W

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KKhCLXVgtoT4WzKiftRgyxOGWy52NAIj/view?usp=sharing

Ideation1:Squid Game Mask – Interactive NeoPixel LED Costume

Concept:
This interactive Squid Game mask merges pop culture with creative engineering. The square LED frame on the front of the mask is made of NeoPixel LEDs controlled by an Arduino board. Each LED is individually addressable, allowing dynamic lighting effects such as color transitions, breathing effects, and rainbow animations.
The wearer can switch between lighting modes using a small push button hidden inside or behind the mask.

Objective:
To create a visually stunning, programmable Halloween mask that demonstrates Arduino’s control over addressable LEDs, while preserving the iconic Squid Game guard design.

Ideation2:Mario Secret Box – Interactive NeoPixel Hit-Activated Light Box

Concept:
This Super Mario Question Block — when you hit the bottom of the box, it lights up, sparkles, and changes color just like in the game.
It’s powered by an Arduino Uno and NeoPixel LED strip, using a push button (or vibration sensor) to detect when the box is struck.

Objective:
To build an interactive object that uses Arduino Uno to control NeoPixel lighting effects triggered by physical input — combining creativity, electronics, and game-inspired design.

Ideation3:Glowing Stick Figure Costume with Dynamic Expression Face

Concept:
Combine with wearable technology and creative expression. The costume transforms the wearer into a glowing stick figure — every limb is outlined with addressable NeoPixel LEDs controlled by an Arduino Uno.
The head features a programmable digital face screen, capable of displaying different facial expressions such as happy, angry, or surprised.

Users can press a button or use a sensor to switch between expressions, giving the illusion of a living, reactive digital character.

Objective:
To design a full-body interactive costume that demonstrates both LED control and real-time facial animation using Arduino Uno and a small display module.

Jay’s Arduino circuit & Halloween costume ideas

Arduino circuit video link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cQIgQ42XmMttT54Uchr8u547O072Qw93?usp=share_link

Halloween costume ideas:

material:

White fabric (for the main part)

Black translucent fabric (for eye part)

Foam blocks (to support the ears’ shape)

Black plush fabric (fish or black cat, and tail)

White embroidery thread

Arduino-controlled LED light set

Cris‘ plush night light(Heartglow)

Idea

This heart-shaped lamp is designed for people who want to express love to someone special, such as parents, a partner, or other loved ones. Inside the lamp, eight red LEDs form the shape of a heart, symbolizing strong and passionate feelings. In the center, there is one warm yellow LED, glowing softly like a heart full of warmth.

Materials

  1. Ivory minky fabric
  2. White sheer organza fabric
  3. White sewing wires
  4. 2 diffused yellow leds
  5. 3 AAA batteries
  6. 2 100 Ohms registers

Circuit Diagram

Process

I first drew a perfect heart in Adobe Illustrator, including seam allowances.

Next, I laid my monitor flat, fixed the minky fabric onto the screen, and used a marker to trace the outline for cutting.

After cutting, I sewed the pieces with a sewing machine and turned it right-side out.

I stuffed in foam and the light (LED bulb), then stitched the opening closed to finish.

Yiran’s Fluffy Monster Night Light

Finished Photos

A plush night light designed to resemble a collectible toy, featuring a furry orange head and a blue fabric body, positioned in a corner against a white wall.

Story & Inspiration

The inspiration for this work comes from the culture of large designer toy collectibles. Many people buy oversized toys to place in their homes, sometimes even dressing them up with clothes or accessories. I find this behavior fascinating, so I designed a plush night light with the same collectible toy aesthetic.

Continue reading “Yiran’s Fluffy Monster Night Light”