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     Home > Play > Electrical Modification of Toys

Adapting a Toy for Switch Use
through Electrical Modification

What types of toys can be adapted?

You can adapt store-bought toys that operate on batteries and are activated by a hidden switch. Many toys, such as chicken-dance Elmo and singing Barney, hide a small switch in the hand or foot of a doll. When you pinch the switch, the toy activates (i.e. sings and dances). These toys can be easily modified for switch use. Note, toys that hide the switch in the tummy, tend to be more difficult to electronically adapt. You can follow the instructions below to adapt your own toys.

What you need to adapt a toy:

  • Soldering iron (RadioShack part #64-2071)
  • 20-24 guage speaker wire (RadioShack part #278-1509)
  • Rosin-core solder wire (RadioShack part #64-013E)
  • 1/8" in-line phone jack (RadioShack part #274-274)
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Wire strippers
  • Electrical tape
  • Scissors
  • Razor blade or Seem ripper
  • Needle and thread


    • These materials can be purchased at www.radioshack.com.


How to electronically modify a toy for switch accessibility:

Unscrew the sheath of the stereo in-line jack.
Bend back the clasp to expose the two leads.
Cut a piece of wire approximately 10" long. At each end of the wire, separate the strands about 1/2" and strip off the casing to reveal the copper wire.
From the inside, fold one piece of wire through each lead hole. Fold them up to the point of the casing. Leave space between the wires. The two wires should not touch.

Using the soldering iron and rosin-core solder, solder both separate wire pieces to the adjacent leads.
Cut a small piece of electrical tape and slide it between the two wires near the leads. Use the tape to wrap each wire separately, then together. This ensures that the two exposed copper wires will not touch.
You can either brake off the clasp or use it to hold your wires in place.

Screw the sheath back on. If it is too tight, do not force it; break off the clasp and try again.
If you can, turn the toy "off." Using a seam ripper or blade, cut along the toy's seam next to the switch. Pull out the switch (sometimes it is a cloth bag; cut it out of the bag).

Leaving yourself as much wire as possilbe, clip both wires close to the toy's switch.
Strip the tips of both wires.

NOTE: The toy wires are very thin. Do not apply too much pressure to the wire strippers or you will cut through them.
At the opposite end of the stereo wire (without the jack), tie a knot close to the end of the exposed wires. The knot will help prevent the wires from being torn away from the doll if tugged on.

Twist one strand of stereo wire gently with one strand of the toy's wires. It does not matter which wires you match. Repeat with the remaining two wires.

Use the solder and iron to solder the wires together.
Use electrical tape to wrap each wire separately, then together, to ensure an open wires do not touch each other.
Sew up the toy with a needle and matching thread. Make sure to place the knot inside the toy to prevent damage from yanking.

The toy should now work with a switch!

Note, the toy may go off once when you plug the switch in. This is normal.
If the toy does not activate with a switch: a) make sure the toy is "on" b) make sure wires are not touching. Hint: usually if there is a problem, it is with the in-line jack piece.

Remember, practice makes perfect!
©Heather Atkins, MS, CCC-SLP
heather.atkins@comcast.net