Wire a plug or switch
Build a safe low-voltage circuit with a battery, wires, bulb, and switch to practice wiring a plug or switch under adult supervision.
Step-by-step guide to wire a plug or switch
How to Wire a Light Switch - Electrical Wiring
Step 1
Gather all materials and put them on a clean flat table so everything is easy to reach.
Step 2
Ask an adult to come and stay with you to read the steps and help when needed.
Step 3
Put the AA battery into the battery holder so the battery is seated correctly.
Step 4
If you are using an LED attach the 220 ohm resistor to the LED's long leg and secure the joint with tape while the adult helps.
Step 5
Strip about 1 centimeter of insulation off each wire end using the wire stripper or scissors with the adult watching and helping.
Step 6
Tape one stripped wire end to the battery holder positive terminal so the wire makes good contact.
Step 7
Tape the other end of that same wire to one terminal of the switch so the switch will control the battery power.
Step 8
Tape a second wire from the other switch terminal to the positive contact of the bulb or the LED plus resistor joint.
Step 9
Tape a third wire from the negative contact of the bulb or LED to the battery holder negative terminal to complete the circuit.
Step 10
Turn the switch on and watch to see if the bulb lights up.
Step 11
If the bulb does not light, ask the adult to help check battery orientation and each taped connection for tight contact.
Step 12
Wrap any exposed wire joints with electrical tape to make the circuit safer and tidy up the wires.
Step 13
Take a picture or write a short note about your wired circuit and share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a 220 ohm resistor or a battery holder?
If you don't have a 220 ohm resistor you can substitute a 330 ohm resistor or use a small flashlight bulb instead of the LED (and if you lack a battery holder tape the AA battery in place so its positive end contacts the wire as in step 5) with adult supervision.
The bulb didn't light when I flipped the switch — what should I check first?
If the bulb does not light, ask the adult to check the AA battery orientation in the holder and examine each taped connection from steps 5–7 for tight contact and re-strip any frayed wire ends if needed.
How can we adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger children have the adult pre-strip the 1 centimeter of insulation and use alligator clip leads instead of taping in steps 5–7, while older kids can practice attaching the 220 ohm resistor to the LED's long leg in step 4 and learn to tidy joints with electrical tape in step 11.
How can we make the wired circuit more interesting or personal?
Extend the project by wiring two LEDs in parallel each with its own resistor and using the switch in step 6 to control both, then wrap all exposed joints with electrical tape per step 11 and take a picture to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to wire a plug or switch
Complete Guide to Switch Wiring (3-way & 4-way circuits explained)
4 Videos
Complete Guide to Switch Wiring (3-way & 4-way circuits explained)
How To Wire A Single Switch And Add A Light
How to Build a Simple Electrical Circuit — At-Home Science Activity for Kids
How To Wire A 4-Way Switch System Explained (2022) | Easy DIY Step By Step Tutorial For Beginners!
Facts about electrical circuits for kids
🔌 A switch simply opens or closes a circuit — the same idea is used in household light switches but with stricter safety rules.
🛡️ Low-voltage (commonly under ~50 V) is much safer than mains power, but short circuits still heat wires and batteries quickly.
💡 Many LEDs glow on around 2 volts and only 10–20 milliamps, so low-voltage builds can be bright without high current.
🔋 The Voltaic pile, invented in 1800 by Alessandro Volta, was the first true battery and launched modern electrical experiments.
🧰 Wire thickness matters: lower AWG numbers mean thicker wire, which carries more current with less heating.
How do you build a safe low-voltage circuit with a battery, bulb, and switch for kids?
What materials do I need to build a low-voltage practice plug or switch circuit?
What ages is a battery-powered wiring activity suitable for?
What safety tips should I follow when making a low-voltage practice circuit with kids?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required