TapeBlock Red Dragon

The aim of this tutorial is to create a TapeBlock dragon with a nose that lights up.

VIDEORedDragon

Decorative: LEDs laid out in the shape of an M

Material

  • 1 Rectangular foam block
  • 2mm Foam Sheet red and blue foam sheet
  • 2 Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
  • Battery Holder with 2 pins
  • 3v Coin Cell Battery
  • Conductive Tape
  • Large Glass Eyes
  • Beads for decoration
  • White Foam Sheet

Decorative: LEDs laid out in the shape of a long I

Instruction

  • Take a rectangular foam block
  • Take the two legs of an LED and split them apart until the LED will sit flat on a foam block.
  • Orientate the LED legs so they run down the centre of long side of the block. Place the LED also that it sits on one end with one leg on the top and one leg over the front
  • Repeat with a second LED so that they both face the same direction about 1cm apart. These will be the nostrils
  • Wrap a piece of conductive tape over the top of one legs of both of the LED legs and take it down the front of the block, along the underside and half way up the short side which is the back of the block
  • Wrap a second piece of conductive tape over the top of both of the second leg of the LED running along the long side and around the corner and halfway down the back of the short side of the block. Make a 1cm gap between the two pieces of tape.
  • Insert the battery holder and battery with one pin in each of the pieces of tape to check that the lights work. Then take the battery out again
  • Cut a somewhat triangle piece of foam that reaches over the front of the foam block to form the nose and past the end of the back of the block to create the forehead of the dragon
  • Cut holes in the foam sheet so that the nostrils will fit through the holes
  • Fold the front of the triangle around the front of the block and stick and then fold the back section of the foam under and stick it to the back of the block so that it creates a raised surface.
  • Cut a range of shapes to sit under and around the eyes to decorate the dragon
  • Stick on the foam to decorate the dragon
  • Stick on the class eyes
  • Decorate the Dragon with the beads
  • Insert the battery holder and battery with one pin in each of the pieces of tape
Decorative: LEDs laid out in the shape of a P

Problem

  • Pins an be useful to hold the foam while the glue dries
  • If one Light works and one does not check that both are attached to the tape firmly
  • If one Light works and one does not unstick one of the LED and turn it 180 degrees and test if it works