A Talking Skull Halloween Decoration!

I put together a skull which has glowing eyes and talks! You can change what he says and record your own lines, and I coded this project so that he talks according to a planned halloween script!

Skull (Not recommended):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X8W9P67/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Skull (Recommended):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DKD86SD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Circuit Playground Bluefruit (2):

https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333

Alligator Clips (2):

https://www.adafruit.com/product/4100?gclid=CjwKCAjwtfqKBhBoEiwAZuesiFLow40TM9_Vr_AF1rmof7anBFAZrd6uXwWQO38dw-Q65VgJgfooBxoCEeEQAvD_BwE

One USB Data Cable:

https://www.adafruit.com/product/592

Any speaker with an aux cord

Battery Packs (2):

https://www.adafruit.com/product/727?gclid=CjwKCAjwtfqKBhBoEiwAZuesiA_WtK_AvfCRkSubuqzWZo9e0l-t2gYC9cyofvPiR_EAjihfOLotCRoC0sIQAvD_BwE

6 AAA Batteries:

https://www.amazon.com/Duracell-CopperTop-Batteries-all-purpose-household/dp/B006CSQXLO/ref=sr_1_5?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=AAA+Batteries&qid=1633651779&s=hpc&sr=1-5&ts_id=389578011

Adafruit LED Strip:

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3812

Tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Magic-Dispenser-Inches-Matte/dp/B00005C3YY

A bowl and some halloween candy!

This was not the best choice of a skull, so I had to do some quick surgery. I used a drill in order to make holes in the eyes, and sides/back of the head, and then used a small pair of clippers to open up the back so I could put my hand in. I recommend opening up the back so you can secure things more easily and store them there, but it isn't necessary. With the recommended skull choice, you won't need to put holes in the eyes of the skull.

I slotted the LED Strip through the holes on the sides of the head so that it is visible behind the eyes, with the lights facing outward.

I had most of the strip coming out one side as opposed to even. I wrapped that long side around and under so that it is under the jaw, as shown.

Finally, I connected the LED strip into my first Circuit Playground Bluefruit (CPB). The red alligator clip connects to power, the black one is grounding, and the white one is output. So the red clip needs to be connected to the "VOUT" connection pad, the black clip can be connected to any of the "GND" pads, and the white clip can be put on any of A1 through A6. I recommend A1, because that's what I coded it for, but I will explain below how to modify the code if you choose a different one.

At this point, I recommend leaving things loose.

This was coded in MU, using the coding language CircuitPython. It is a fairly complicated process, so I am just going to give an overview of what the code does. The CPB has a light sensor on it, and I coded it so that when it senses a low enough level of light, he "wakes up". Then, the lights on the strip behind his eyes and in his mouth light up. They get brighter, then turn off, then up to full brightness. He blinks twice, and then his eyes start flickering like flames. This flickering is caused by random RGB value generation within a range between orange and red, and a random generated brightness value.

You will likely need to modify the code through a bit of trial and error so that the correct lights are lighting up. In the code, I have written comments explaining how to do this - comments are lines which begin with a #. I go over how to upload the code in the next step, but I've attached it below.

I have attached below a video that explains how to install circuit python onto your CPB and how to download MU onto it. Once you've done this, open Circuit Python and copy/paste the code from step 3 into it. Now, save it as "code.py" onto your CPB. Turn the lights out, and check which ones light up! Then, make changes as the comments say in order to get the lights you want!

Here's the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa1E8ze3v04&list=PL9VJ9OpT-IPSsQUWqQcNrVJqy4LhBjPX2&index=2&t=295s

I'm going to go over a couple suggestions, but feel free to set this up however you want! There are a few key things. First, plug the CPB into the battery pack in the battery connector. Make sure it's right side up! The battery pack can go inside the skull, but I recommended clipping it where you can easily change the on-off switch. Keep it turned off for now. As soon as you turn it on, he will become active.

The CPB cannot got inside, because it is activated by the light sensor. I taped it to the back of the skull, but I recommend you try things out and see what you like! I also added a bit of paper over the eyes so that the lights aren't quite so harsh.

This was likewise coded in MU using Circuit Python. I'm going to give another quick overview of the code. It begins with a light sensor as well; when the light drops below a certain level, he "wakes up". After a time delay, approximately matching the wake-up sequence for his eyes, he says the first line.

After this, when he "hears" a sound above a certain level of loudness, he will say the second line shortly afterwards. Then, this happens two more time, each with a different phrase.

These phrases can be changed to whatever you like! In the next step, I go over how to create your own sounds.

You can easily make your own lines for your skull! I have linked a video below which covers how to create your own sound files that the CPB can accept. Once you've made them, save them onto the CPB just like it's a USB. Unfortunately, the CPB doesn't have much memory, so they can't be very long. DO NOT put them in a folder on the CPB, they will not work. Once you've done so, edit the code according to the instructions I've commented on it - remember, comments are lines which begin with a #!

I recorded myself saying a few lines, then put them through an online voice changer. I've linked that below if you want to try as well!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcPB9cXeDoA&list=PL9VJ9OpT-IPSsQUWqQcNrVJqy4LhBjPX2&index=24

Voice Changer: https://myvoicemod.com

Once you've set up the code how you like, you need to upload it to the second CPB. Save the code from step 6, plus your modifications in step 7, onto the CPB as "code.py". Now you can unplug it from your computer, and connect the second battery pack - make sure it's turned off. Once you've done that, you'll need your two alligator clips. One of them goes on a GND pad, and the other goes on the AUDIO pad. The one from the AUDIO pad goes on the tip of the aux cord, and the one from the GND pad goes on the base - in the picture, the yellow clip is attached to the AUDIO pad and the black one is connected to the GND pad. You've connected the speaker!

Now's the time to set things up! This is very portable, so do some experimenting to see what you like! I put the skull on a slightly elevated surface behind a bowl of candy, with the speaker behind him. If your speaker is loud enough then I suggest putting it inside the skull! Fill the candy bowl with whatever you like (I went with Reese's). Then, you can set this up outside for trick-or-treaters, or just on the kitchen table to surprise someone!

Here's a quick video showcasing my version! I watch him wake up, then go through the script. In order to to get yours started, switch on the battery packs, then switch off the lights! In order to reset things, turn the battery packs off and on again.

After completing this, I want to note an additional use. I think that the flickering does a decent approximation of fire, and I really like the ambiance. Works great as part of an underground wizard's lab or just a desk decoration!