Make a Switch From Cardboard and a Foil Wrapper

This is a quick and easy switch that can be used in any project. It works by pushing down the 2 ends of the "crocodile mouth" so the metal ends meet and complete the circuit. When you let go, it should spring back up and break the circuit again. If you want to keep something turned on, it would be best to use a bulldog clip to keep the ends together.

• Strong, easily bendable cardboard - I used a cereal box
• Foil chocolate wrapper - tin foil would work instead
• Crocodile clips / wires & tape - to connect the switch to your project

Cut your wrapper down to about 50 by 90 mm then, cut that rectangle in half so you end up with 2 almost-square shapes.

Simply cut a rectangle of cardboard from a cereal box, then fold it in half as shown above. Crease it hard but let it spring back.

Fold the foil over the edges of cardboard and apply a small amount of tape to the outside. If you put the tape on the inside, the metal parts won`t meet up because there will be plastic in the way.

To use the switch, add wires to the outside of both tin foil sections as you would for a normal switch. Then, when it is wired into a circuit, push down the top of the switch so the metal ends touch. The circuit will then work.