Switch-Adapting a Bug Toy for Accessible Play

This project focuses on adapting the most versatile feature of a popular dancing toy: the central "Mode" button. While the toy features several interactive points, the blue button offers the widest variety of educational content, including ABCs and counting. By rewiring this specific function to an external Buddy Button, we remove the physical barriers to play, allowing a child to lead their own learning experience regardless of motor dexterity.

Materials:

1. Toddler Learning Toy DJ Bouncin' Beats with Music Light
2. Buddy Button, we used 2.5 inch buttons
3. Solder Panel Mount Jack Connector, 3.5mm
4. 6 inches of 22 gauge green insulated wiring
5. 6 inches of 22 gauge orange insulated wiring

Tools:

1. Soldering Iron/Gun
2. Solder
3. Wire Strippers
4. Drill
5. 5/16 Drill Bit

The first step is to unscrew the toy open and investigate the connections. Upon opening the toy you will see that there are connections to each of the buttons on top and a common connection. To rewire the toy, the plan will be to wire a new connection in parallel to this setup that controls the middle blue button so it can be activated with the Buddy Button. The new wires will go to the jack that will be attached to the shell of the toy.

To connect the Buddy Button to the circuit inside the board and maintain functionalities, we will use a 3.5 mm jack To insert the jack into the toy, you will need to drill a hole into the shell using a 5/16 drill bit. The jack can then be inserted into the hole. Make sure to make the hole in an appropriate area, we placed it in the area surrounding the arm.

To make the new connection you will need two wires, which are the green and orange ones in the pictures. Grab the wired and use wire strippers to make the ends ready for connection. You will need to solder one wire from one of the pins shown on the board to the jack and another from the other pin to the jack. Be careful to keep track of the common and power connections and connect them to the appropriate places on the jack. Once this is done you can connect the button to the jack and run tests to make sure it works correctly before closing the toy. Keep in mind the toy must play through an action completely before taking another action, pressing the button once an action is finished will play the next functionality of the blue button.

Once the toy has been tested and reviewed for any safety concerns, you can put in all the screws that were taken out and close the toy. Clean your toy and it is all set with a new accessible button!