Adapting Interactive Plushes

You’ll Need

  • Input jack
  • Wire stripper
  • Scissors
  • Seam Ripper
  • Needle and thread
  • Four connectors

Instructions

Jump to step-by-step instructions

  • a jack
  • Red and black wire stripper tool
  • pair of scissors
  • A seam ripper with a plastic grip and safety cover, and a sharp metal end for cutting
  • Needle and thread
  • plastic connectors

Step-by-Step Demo Video

Demo Video

Watch a quick demo on Instagram.

Printable Instructions

Download instructions to print (PDF)

Step 1

If you haven’t yet, cut the wire to leave about six inches from the input jack.

Scissors begin to cut a coiled insulated wire
Cut the wire

Step 2

Strip one inch of black insulation from the input jack, then strip both colored wires (usually red, white, or black) to expose half an inch of copper on each one.

A red wire and a black wire, each with a half inch of coating stripped from the end, extend from the containing black tube
Strip 1″ of insulation, then 1/2″ from each wire

Step 3

Locate the button on the foot of the plush.

Use the seam ripper to cut open a two-inch hole near the button.

A seam ripper begins cutting a hole in the plush toy's foot
Open a 2″ hole near the button

Step 4

Find the button and pull out the two wires attached.

Two wires slightly pulled out from the opening in the plush toy's foot
Pull out the wires

Step 5

If the wires from inside the toy are attached to each other, gently pull them apart.

Cut one wire in half, leaving a few inches on each side.

Cut 1 wire in half

Step 6

Strip the insulation from each side of the wire so there is about half an inch of copper wire exposed on each one.

Two wires extending from the plush toy have their ends stripped and are pinched between someone's thumb and finger
Strip insulation to expose about 1/2″

Step 7

Twist the copper wire from the two sides together.

Twist copper wires together

Step 8

Use the blue hinges to open the ports of the wire connector. Put the twisted toy wires into one side of the connector.

Put one wire from the input jack into the other side of the connector.

Plastic connector with blue hinges has the toy's wires inserted into one side
Put toy and input jack wires into the connector

Step 9

Cut the other toy wire and repeat steps 6-8 with this wire.

Scissors cutting a wire extending from the toy
Cut the other wire

Step 10

Test your toy with a switch before you sew it back up:

  1. Plug the switch into the input jack.
  2. Turn on the toy on the bottom.
  3. Press the switch to see if it activates the toy.
Plug a switch into jack and test

Step 11

If your switch works, put the wires and connectors back inside the toy.

You can make a knot in the wires to help keep them from being pulled out.

Sew the foot closed around the input jack.

Your toy is now ready for play—Yay!

Make a knot in the wires
Sew foot closed around the jack
Ready for play

More Information and Resources

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