Learn how to make these really fun Happy Birthday light up cards using paper circuits. This project will help you discover how circuits and electricity work while making a one of a kind card.
This is a great project for groups or individuals looking to celebrate a birthday in a unique way.
Included with this tutorial are (3) FREE Happy Birthday templates in PDF format. They come in black and white so they can be colored or decorated.
Project Time: 15 Minutes
Project Materials
- (1) LED – Any Color
- (1) CR2032 Coin Cell Battery
- Copper Tape w/ Conductive Adhesive
- Happy Birthday Card – PDF Template
- Happy Birthday Cupcake – PDF Template
- Happy Birthday Cake – PDF Template
Need the materials for this project? We have a paper circuit starter kit & ebook available. The kit includes copper tape, LEDs and CR2032 batteries. Also included is a project ebook with 45 project templates.
Step 1 – Print Project Templates
To start this project, you will need to download and print the light up card template using the links below.
- Happy Birthday Card – PDF Template
- Happy Birthday Cupcake – PDF Template
- Happy Birthday Cake – PDF Template
TIP – Check out our blog for other free holiday and paper circuit templates
Once you have selected your Happy Birthday card, print it on white or colored paper. These designs come in black and white outline and are great for coloring with crayons, pencils or markers.
Each of the Happy Birthday templates is 2 pages in length and we recommend using two-sided printing if your printer is capable. This project will still work fine if you need to print on 2 separate sheets of paper.
In order to print 2-sided, open up your PDF template and select the print icon at the top of the page. This will open the printer dialog box and from there you can select “Properties”. Select “Print on Both Sides”.
Step 2 – Color, Cut and Fold Template
Once you printed your template, you can now color and decorate the front of the card.
After you’re done coloring the template you will need to cut an “X” where the LED will fit through. The last step is to fold your card in half.
Step 3 – Apply Copper Tape
Turn your template over so you can see the circuit lines on the back. Apply the copper tape to all of the circuit lines. We recommend you use copper tape that has conductive adhesive such as the kind we sell in our paper circuit kits.
Begin by applying the copper tape in a straight line to the corner.
Next, fold the tape at a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction in which you are going.
The last step is to fold the copper back along the circuit line. Do this with the rest of the circuits on the page. Smooth it down with your finger once complete.
Step 4 – Attach The LED
Now it’s time to attach your LED to the template. Make sure to note which leg is longer because this is the positive (+) side of the LED. The shorter leg is the negative side.
Bend both legs of the LED at a 90 degree angle and attach it to the circuit using copper tape. Make sure to attach the long leg to the side marked positive. Rub the copper tape to ensure everything is making solid contact.
Step 5 – Attach Coin Cell Battery
Next it’s time to attach the coin cell battery. Roll up some copper tape in a ball with the adhesive facing out. Stick this to the copper tape inside the battery circle.
Place (1) CR2032 battery on top of the copper ball with the negative (-) side of the battery facing down.
Step 6 – Test Your Paper Circuit
The last step is to fold your card in half and push the LED through the cut you made earlier. Push down on the area marked “Press” to test your card.
Show Us Your Project
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If you’re looking for more paper circuit projects, please check out our ebook which has 45 project templates along with our paper circuit starter kit.
