Here is a rundown of the different ways you can connect wires to the micro:bit. This is something I’ve spent a long time working out and trying out different techniques.
THROUGH THE HOLES
The micro:bit has 5 holes representing 5 pins: 3 data pins, ground and 3V. You can wrap wires and thread through the holes and around the edge of the micro:bit. You could secure with some electrical tape.
Pros: Simples! No extra skill or kit required
Cons: For projects that move, the tape never holds onto the wire/thread. Moving wire/thread also risks touching other pins and shorting the micro:bit. It would be tricky to attach more than 1 wire to 1 pin.
CROCODILE CLIPS
Cheap and cheerful. Crocodile clips can be clipped onto the holes of the micro:bit. If you need a wire on the other end you could always chop off the crocodile’s head!
Top Tip: Pass the croc clip jaw through the hole for better grip!
Pros: Cheap, easy to use, no extra skills needed to attach
Cons: Not very stable. When moved they can lose connection or touch other parts of the board. Can only attach a limited number of crocodile clips to each pin. Can only use the 5 basic pins. If you pass the jaw through the hole it makes the whole setup a lot taller.
Each Monday is Micro:bitMonday here at Adafruit! Designed specifically for kids and beginners, the micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that you can code, customize and control to bring your digital ideas, games and apps to life! Play, learn, explore: get started with micro:bit! Adafruit is an authorized Micro:bit reseller- check out all of our posts, tutorials and Micro:bit related products!
Experimenting with your own Micro:bit project? Use the hashtag #microbitmonday so we can feature your inspiring work on the Adafruit blog!
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!