BASE KIT

30 SECOND
QUICK START

1 2 3 4
g o!
CONNECT BATTERY TURN IT ON. PINK MODULES GREEN MODULES let’s
AND CABLE TO AFFECT MODULES DO SOMETHING.
BLUE MODULE. AFTER THEM.
 WARNING
• This product contains small magnets. Swallowed magnets can
stick together across intestines causing serious infections
and death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are
swallowed or inhaled.
• Most littleBits are small parts. DO NOT allow children under
3 years old to play with or near this product.
• NEVER connect any littleBits or circuits to any AC
electrical outlet.
• Do not touch or hold any moving parts of littleBits while
they are operating.
• Keep conductive materials (such as aluminum foil, staples,
paper clips, etc.) away from the circuit and the connector
terminals.
• Always turn off circuits when not in use or when left
unattended.
• Never use littleBits in or near any liquid.
• Never use in any extreme environments such as extreme hot or
cold, high humidity, dust or sand.
• littleBits are subject to damage by static electricity.
Handle with care.
• Some littleBits may become warm to the touch when used in
certain circuit designs. This is normal. Rearrange modules or
discontinue using if they become excessively hot.
• Discontinue use of any littleBits that malfunction, become
damaged or broken.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE
• Several projects in this kit involve the use of a box
cutter, grill skewers and/or a hot glue gun.
• These tools should be used ONLY under direct adult
supervision and ONLY by children capable of using them safely.
INSTRUCTIONS
We recommend using littleBits brand 9-volt batteries, but
standard alkaline or standard rechargeable batteries may also
be used. Properly discard and replace exhausted battery.
Do not connect the two battery terminals with any conducting
material.
CARE AND CLEANING
Clean Bits modules ONLY by wiping with a dry cloth. If
necessary, isopropyl alcohol on a cloth may be used sparingly,
and then wipe with a dry cloth.
DO NOT use any other cleaning products on Bits modules.
Congratulations for reading this fine print. Your dedication
and persistence will serve you well.
RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERFERENCE SEND US YOUR LOVE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with Contact support@littleBits.cc with any questions
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part or comments.
15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a www.littleBits.cc
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed littleBits Electronics, Inc.
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause 60 E. 11th Street
harmful interference to radio communications. However, NY, NY 10003
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a (917)464-4577
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be You are a proud owner of the Base Kit v1 from the
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is Exploration Series. Over 150,000 combinations?! Are you
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more serious? Yep, www.littleBits.cc/mathmagic
of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. An open source project under Creative Commons license
• Increase the separation between the equipment and and OSHW definition v1.1
the receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different littleBits Electronics, Inc.
from that to which the receiver is connected. Made in Dongguan City, China
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help. littleBits, Bits, Circuits in Seconds, and Make Something That
Does Something are trademarks of littleBits Electronics, Inc.
Changes and Modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer or registrant of this equipment can void
your authority to operate this equipment under Federal
Communications Commissions rules.
THE 1
CIRCUITS IN SECONDS COLOR CODED TM
2 3 5
ORDER IS IMPORTANT littleBits + anything TM

LITTLEBITS
TM
littleBits is an expanding
TM
littleBits are grouped into 4 different
TM
Power Modules always littleBits are just the beginning.
library of modular electronics categories, which are color coded: come first and Input Combine them with craft

BASICS
that snap together with POWER needed in every circuit and the start Modules only affect the materials, building sets, and
magnets. of all your creations. Output Modules that other toys to electrify your life.
INPUT these Bits modules accept input from come after them. We’ll show you how!
,
d a Green n you and the environment and send signals to
an wee the modules that follow. 4 er
no sold ing
a Blue l, in bet OUTPUT these Bits modules DO something– g ra mm
eed ona MAGNET MAGIC no pr rin ing
o
ays n re opti light, buzz, move…
no wi g
alw ge a WIRES these Bits modules expand your littleBits snap together with
TM

o u n
Y
d Ora reach and change direction–great for helping magnets. The magnets are
n
ka to incorporate littleBits into your projects. always right, you can’t put
Pin modules together the wrong way.
 it all starts

KNOW
9-volt
with power. . . battery
and cable
included

YOUR turn it on

BITS
TM and off
right here

MODULES
This is the Base Kit, Version 1
POWER p1
This power module lets you use a 9-volt battery
BUTTON i3
Big, round, and springy for comfortable
to supply electricity to your littleBits. Snap in pressing! Push to turn on, and release to
Learn more and shop for individual the battery + cable (both included) and flip turn off. do something you’ve
never d one bef
or e.

Bits Modules at littleBits.cc/Bits the switch to turn it on.

 this is the actual light sensor
MODE SWITCH
controls whether the module twist it great for
is sensing light or dark projects!
Use the screwdriver
accessory to control the
sensitivity here.

LIGHT SENSOR i13 DIMMER i6 WIRE w1

The light sensor measures how much light is shining on it. In “light” mode, the more light shines Our dimmer lets you control your creations with
on the sensor, the higher the signal it sends out. In “dark” mode, it’s just the opposite – the signal a simple knob, just like the volume on your stereo.
increases the darker it gets. Turn it clockwise to send more signal to the
following Bits modules. Try using it to control the
volume of the buzzer or speed of the DC motor.
The wire allows you to physically separate
your Bits modules. Try it whenever you need
to break up your chain of littleBits, like when
you need to put a light at the top of a model
building.
 uzz

b
uzz

¡b

¡b u z
LED - “light emitting diode” use light to measure z

z
buz

we work great
with the dimmer change direction

BRIGHT LED o14 BARGRAPH o9 BUZZER o6 DC MOTOR o5

A small littleBit with a big light, just like a bike
light. Like our other LED modules, it’s a great
way to shed some light on your creations.
Choose the bright LED when you want a LOT
of bright white light.
The bargraph is one of our favorite Bits modules:
it has five LEDs in different colors that light up
to show you how much signal the module is
receiving.
The buzzer is like the sound in an alarm clock:
it makes a noise that you just can’t ignore. It
buzzes whenever it gets an ON signal. Try
using it to make your own doorbell or alarm!
The DC (or “Direct Current”) motor rotates a
shaft when you send it an ON signal. The left/
right switch controls the direction of rotation.
Try attaching various things to make windmills,
cars, helicopters, and more.

MOTORMATE a10 TM
motorMate works with the DC motor. This
makes it easy to attach wheels, paper,
cardboard, and lots of other materials to the
DC motor. Simply slide it on the “D” shape of
the shaft. A LEGOTM axle also fits in the end.
this is a micro adjuster
SCREWDRIVER a4
This little purple screwdriver is used to modify
any littleBit that has a micro adjuster.
We recommend using littleBits
brand 9-volt batteries, but
standard alkaline or standard
rechargeable batteries may
also be used.
BATTERY AND CABLE a1
This Kit contains a 9-volt alkaline battery and
a cable to connect it to the power module.
Connect it and then flip the switch to power all
of your creations!
TRY “MY VERY FI
RST CIRCUIT”

THESE dimmer bargra

ph
power

CIRCUITS
power

Get started with these but don’t let us 9V batte

ry
and
hold you back – every module fits able twist it light it
our c
y
with every other module – feel free ct
ne
on
! co
me
n
to experiment. ice
t ur n
h e ju
don’t forget t
 LIGHT METER Measure light around your house. MORNING ALARM Wake up with the sun!

power light sensor bargraph power light sensor bargraph buzzer it!
zz
bu

measure it on light
n sense it don’t forget to mode
eo
tu rn m connect your battery
to the power module
INTRO TO DC MOTOR Get to know the motor. CAR SPEED Speed it up, slow it down.
SIRE
power button wire DC motor power dimmer DC motor N flash it
Pump u
p the volum pow
e. er
dimm
er
buzz
er
brigh
turn LED t
m e on push it spin it change
yep! battery + cable here
direction
PROJECTS
PROJECT 1: How can electronics help spread laughs?

TICKLE MACHINE 3 Tickle your friends

it
spin
(and dust your bookshelf)
1 Tickle Machine TRY THESE
1 Start with this circuit
2 Prank Handshake AND INVENT
power wire DC motor
YOUR OWN
3 The Night Rider
4 Flashlight

assume nothing
5 Art Bot
6 Doorbell always connect turn me on a wire to extend and bend
battery and cable
7 Lil’ Breezy to power module
8 Three Wheeler
’LL
NEED 2

YOU
TIME: 15 mins Attach feathers
plus the
Tons more projects online DIFFICULTY: motorMate to the motorMate
www.littleBits.cc/base feathers Try other materials too!
PROJECT 2: Want to trick a friend? We’ll show you how!

PRANK HANDSHAKE Put the circuit on your hand

2 and arm using rubber bands
1 Start with this circuit
power wire button wire buzzer hide circuits
under long sleeves

turn me on stretch it

How else can you

’LL
NEED
surprise your 3 Go ahead, shake a hand,
surprise your friends!
YOU

TIME: 15 mins
DIFFICULTY: friends using
littleBits?
rubber
bands
PROJECT 3: How can you create a light that only turns on at night? 4
THE NIGHT RIDER Hang it on your

embrace any errors

1 Start with this circuit 2 Rubber band battery 3 Cut a hole in the bike and RIDE ON!
light cable in a loop bottom of the cup
power sensor bargraph

and pull the cable Don’t have

loop through a cup?
the hole What other
on dark mode,
don’t forget to adjust sensitivity materials
connect your battery STAY SAFE! Always can glow?
to the power module use with an adult.
NEED this is the beginning
’LL of your circuit sharp!
YOU

TIME: 30 mins (the power module) stay safe! use

careful!
DIFFICULTY: additional lights
at night
box plastic bike
cutter cup
PROJECT 4: Illuminate your way with household materials. 3
FLASHLIGHT Turn it on and go
EXPLORING WITH
1 Start with this circuit 2 Put circuit in tube YOUR FLASHLIGHT!
power button wire bright LED

ensure that LED

turn me on bright and white light faces out battery
inside We used a cup to
tube diffuse the LED.
NEED pro tip: you
What can you try?
’LL
can put a clear
YOU

TIME: 30 mins wrap with

plastic cup in the end
DIFFICULTY: rubber bands
to diffuse the light.
rubber tube plastic
bands cup
PROJECT 5: How can you build a device to draw for you? 4
ART BOT Rubber band together
What other tools can
you draw with?
2 battery cable and insert 3 Put it on paper,
1 Start with this circuit your charcoal or marker turn it on and
power DC motor Put on the Let it draw!
use the
motorMate
motorMate

d¡ on’t forget to
c¡ onnect your battery any kind of marking Tuck battery under DC motor
t¡ o the power module device is fine and attach with rubber band Attach LEGOtm axle
L’ L NEED and wheel
YOU

TIME: 30 mins
DIFFICULTY: Don’t have an axle o¡r
wheel? Make one!
marker charcoal rubber LEGOtm wheel
bands axle
( )
And now a brief intermission from the projects. r
with you musician
!
VISIT US AT w a y s t o . . . P la y r e a
10 m er .Y ou a y the
your dim motor . . d out wh
decorate to the D C er . . . F in
taching it the buzz diffuse
LITTLEBITS.CC/TIPS d b y a t f p la y ing w a y s t o
foo to 12 chment
the m y stical ar r ta n t littleBit . . . ren t a t ta
Learn po
d most imTM cardboard – 5 dif
fe
our next
FOR SOME
s e c on sfo r m y
wire is the . . . bitFeet
+
y! I t could tr
an
ject? We’
ll
ig h t L E D th a t a w a ti ng p ro
the br ’t throw es any lig
h
hat do a
AMAZING s . . . D on en ha n c on . . . W
technique t h o
em
usehold it know about the b
utt
w ays to get
. . . W ha n’ t yo u . . . 3
project ings you
did
e’ll show !) . . . How
TIPS & TRICKS u . . . 6 th m on ? W t s en s o r
show yo om gh e?
a b a b y have in c k (hi n t: use the li t o c irc le the glob
d dar uld it take
buzzer an your fear of the r es wo
over many wi Find out!
PROJECT 6: Deck out your bedroom door. Make cut rectangle
2 Find a box and cut the bottom off 4 to fit size
DOORBELL top
piece
of box
sharp!
1 Start with this circuit be careful!
power wire button wire dimmer bargraph buzzer cut hole to line
up with button
on base

3 Place modules in box and

tape down
5 Cut out decorative doorbell
shape and glue to top piece
adjust the volume cut hole for
always connect your wire to go
battery to the power through box
STAY SAFE! Always these stay
module use with an adult. outside pro TIP: you can glue
NEED disconnect the
’LL
connector to
YOU

TIME: 60 mins
button sits on feed through
DIFFICULTY: small holes.
top of battery
box push pin marker tape scissors glue cardboard cut hole in box
Don’t forget to
cutter box reconnect it!
for power switch
 Place doorbell outside door and outside 8
6 7 of room,
rest of Bit modules inside room
use a
Glue one push pin
ding
tab on
(like this) dong!
top piece
and attach
to inside inside
of box of room, then close
use tape it up, and. . .

Customize it!
Add paint, stickers . . .
adjust volume of
Go all out!
alarm with the
dimmer (bargraph We’d like to see your take on the doorbell
as indicator) project, upload it here! littleBits.cc/upload
PROJECT 7: Make your own spinning windmill.

LIL’ BREEZY DC motor

1 Start with this circuit 2 Makea house out 3 Put the
of popsicle sticks littleBits in
power dimmer wire DC motor wire bright LED your house

make a shelf
Use scissors to for the Bits
cut popsicle sticks modules t¡ o
always connect your down to size sit on
battery to the power STAY SAFE! Always
module use with an adult. !
NEED
’LL
YOU

TIME: 90 mins short? fat?

DIFFICULTY: -or- tall? wide?
back view of the house
hot glue glue scissors pencil popsicle you decide!
eraser sticks
 6
front of the house

4 Put a pencil eraser 5 Build a fan out of popsicle

on the DC motor sticks and attach to
the eraser with your glue
enjoy
your
charming
desk
decor!
window light
for night this is a fun
alternative to the
motorMate!
PROJECT 8: Learn how to make a light-controlled vehicle. See this tutorial with video Make3 wheels Makethe base out of cardboard
2 3
THREE WHEELER extras at littleBits.cc/base

1 Start with this circuit trace a cup on 6 in

light cardboard to get
power wire sensor wire DC motor perfect circles
cut a slot in
the cardboard
sharp! 4 in wide enough to
be careful!
fit the wheel
choose whether to
always connect your drive in light or dark
battery to the power STAY SAFE! Always use the
module use with an adult. motorMate
NEED What other objects
’LL
can be a wheel?
YOU

TIME: 90 mins
DIFFICULTY: Try a CD! Ours is 4in x 6in, what
cutout, color, and mark the center size will yours be?
box wood grill tape pen marker cardboard
cutter skewers box
4 Put littleBits on cardboard base 5 Add wheel to m
¡ otorMate
use pen to poke hole in
bottom top wheel . . . motorMate
will go in here . . .
use tape
to hold
modules
down
. . . then add wheel to
motorMate in cardboard slot
 Poke skewer through two remaining Attach back wheels Draw yourself and 9
6 7 8
wheels and glue them in place, these cut the figure out ride through the night!
will be the back two wheels Cut a rectangle of paper
and fold in half . . . Try the light sensor
in both modes. Which
. . . then place over
axle and tape down
is your favorite?

this is an axle

after you’ve made the axle cut the (not too tight, axle
points off the ends of the skewers should still spin) start where you think the end is
MAKE SOMETHING THAT DOES SOMETHING
TM
 This booklet’s over but the fun’s not done. Want More? You got it!

mo
LITTLEBITS.CC/UPLOAD EXPLORATION SERIES
ve Upload your project and you may be handsomely rewarded. We regularly
it feature awesome community projects and send out exclusive gifts.

Visit us online where we’ve got tons more projects and tips and tricks
for every Bits module. Check out other littleBits in the expanding library.
Premium Kit Deluxe Kit

INDIVIDUAL BITSTM MODULES

Online we’ll show you how to make
this great PUPPET MASTER
re ! s
it

www.littleBits.cc/puppet
e Mo at addition
rn

a k
tu

and M e gre K it
TONS MORE PROJECTS at Som ur Base pressure sensor motion trigger vibration motor light wire
push it to y o
www.littleBits.cc/base
plus littleBits Bundles & Boost It Packs. . . available here www.littleBits.cc/products