Michael | VoltPaperScissors
A year ago, I saw someone open a book lamp in a bar. It was a pretty expensive product. Since I combine electronics and paper crafting, I had to DIY it and develop an easy-to-use circuit template and instructions for it. This educational project is perfect for libraries. Please #retoot :-)
Template and instructions are available on my website: https://www.voltpaperscissors.com/diybooklamp.
Feel free to ask any questions.
#papercircuit #papercraft #diy #MINT #STEM
Easy DIY Book Lamp for Kids (11+) and adults — Volt, Paper, Scissors!

I invented this DIY book lamp to introduce children to electronics. I use it in STEM education, but it turns out to be a fun project for adults too.

Volt, Paper, Scissors!
Apr 23, 2025 at 4:55pmWeb
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
Thanks for boosting to everyone! So cool to see people liking my work 🥳
Show threadpetes_bread_eqn_xlsApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors fantastic!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@petes_bread_eqn_xls Thanks!
Show threadSindarina, Edge Case DetectiveApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors @naturesketchbook That is awesome! 🤩
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@sindarina thanks!
Show threadTwoowls Elt 🦉 🦉Apr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors this is FANTASTIC!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@twoowls73 thanks!
Show threadGorobarApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors so great!
🤩
I need to make one...but how to find time 🤔
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@gorobar hehe thats always the problem. I do have lots of cool new paper circuit ideas and no time 😞
Show threadJulie MillsApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors that's absolutely gorgeous! 🤩
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@julie_mills thanks 😍
Show threadRasmus Grouleff (he/him)Apr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors That is beautiful!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@nerdd thanks!
Show threadSeñor Baby, Sr.Apr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors incredibly cool! I think you just handed me a birthday gift idea. Thanks :)
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@gmachine cool! I also use it as a gift sometime :-)
Show threadGordian 🎙️Apr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors Wow! 😯
Show threadGordian 🎙️Apr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors ich hoffe, ich kann damit mein Kind anfixen. Muss ich ja auch erst mal wissen, dass es leitendes Klebeband gibt. Danke!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@gordian jo als ich das entdeckt habe war ich auch direkt hyped. Is halt vor allem für Bildungsprojekte und den Einstieg in die Elektronik super cool. Ich liebs 👍
Show threadGraham CApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors where's the battery? Is it under the switch?
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@adamantichrist it is in one of the corners. two coin cells get clipped by a binder clip to power the circuit.
Show threadMark T. TomczakApr 23, 2025

@VoltPaperScissors This reminds me: I always wanted a notebook computer like Penny had in Inspector Gadget.

Why have I not modded one of my laptops yet to have a dust-cover casing?

Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@mark haha, uhm sounds like a fun project 🤔 😀
Show threadEfi (nap pet) 🦊💤Apr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors such a cool fold detector
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@efi thanks!
Show threadParents For Future HamburgApr 23, 2025

@VoltPaperScissors <3 Heißer Kandidat für "schönstes Bastelprojekt des Jahres" :-)

Ja, wir hätten da direkt eine Frage: Wenn man bei z.B. c*nr*d nach "Leitfähiges Klebeband" sucht, findet man ca. 20 verschiedene Sorten zu Preisen zwischen 20ct und 10Eur den Meter. Worauf muss man da genau achten? Danke schon mal!

Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@P4F_Hamburg Vielen Dank! Ich hab auch mal bei dem genannten Shop gesucht und würde davon spontan keines empfehlen. Eventuell gibt es aber auch eines das OK ist und ich sehs grad nicht.... Ich nutze immer conductive nylon fabric tape von adafruit oder brown dog gadgets. Das Problem an anderem Band ist meist, dass es nicht zum Basteln gedacht ist und die Klebefläche nicht leitend ist. Das ist dann mega frustierend.
Show threadParents For Future HamburgApr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors Danke noch mal – die Shopping Guides und ein paar Grundlagen-Informationen haben wir jetzt auch gefunden. Auf deiner Website bleibt wirklich keine Frage offen 🙂
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
@P4F_Hamburg cool, freut mich zu hören. Ansonsten meldet euch einfach wenn es doch noch ne Frage gibt.
Show threadvolkonApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors Love it, thx for sharing👍
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@volkon thanks!
Show threadScotty TreesApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors Gonna bookmark this for later! Thanks very much for sharing your work!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@scottytrees Cool! Get back to me if you have any questions!
Show threadModestinoSycamoreApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors
Wonderful! 😃😃😃
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 23, 2025
@ModestinoSycamore thanks! :-)
Show threadDoomsdaysCWApr 23, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors 📚 ❤️
Show threadSu_GApr 24, 2025

@VoltPaperScissors

That is so beautiful & what a neat book lamp project! Perfect for libraries, as you say. Plus you make it look so easy . 🙂 I also love the name of your site/s: VoltPaperScissors! Everything so cool! Thx for sharing!

#library #libraries #publicLibraries #bookLamp #DIY #BookLight

Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
@Su_G Thanks a lot! Happy that you like the websites name 🥳
Show threadrcrApr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors Gorgeous!
Show threadNike LeonhardApr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors
Love it!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
@Nike_Leonhard Thanks!
Show threadnojhan, à gauche de DevadataApr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors Like the Youtube note, also. Give Peertube a try!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
@nojhan I will think about it. With this post getting so much reach I feel like small platforms can indeed be more effective for small creators. The big platforms allways feel like an uphill battle.
Show threadhko 😷🪁Apr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors very cool project, and beautiful looking lights
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
@hko Thanks!
Show threadDesert CamelApr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors cool.
Show threadLillyLyle/Count MelancholiaApr 24, 2025
@ottaross Loving this! (LRB charges £40 for commercially produced book lights)
https://www.voltpaperscissors.com/diybooklamp
Easy DIY Book Lamp for Kids (11+) and adults — Volt, Paper, Scissors!

I invented this DIY book lamp to introduce children to electronics. I use it in STEM education, but it turns out to be a fun project for adults too.

Volt, Paper, Scissors!
Show threadRoss of OttawaApr 24, 2025

@LillyHerself oh yes, saw that go by yesterday and clicked through too! A neat project and probably fun to put together.

I found myself wondering about other origami-based lamps and lighting possibilities. Maybe something using thin foldable 3D-printed films and compact electronics.

Show threadNumber6 Apr 24, 2025

@VoltPaperScissors

Should be great for light reading!

Show threadNo1o(et/they)&moar PlushiesApr 24, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors how does one get at the battery to swap/charge it?
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 24, 2025
@no1o I open up the bellows on one side, change the batteries and attach it again with glue. Not a great solution but works.
Show threadRobertApr 25, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors That is so cool! and your website has so many great projects!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsApr 25, 2025
@bratling Thanks a lot!
Show threadPredaxGondula2Apr 25, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors
Show threadIris Young (he/they/she) (PhD)May 16, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors I started from your video instructions and modified to match what I had on hand... the connections to the LEDs are quite unstable using copper tape, and tracing paper is terribly fragile (I ended up reinforcing every single fold with tape), and in sum I regret everything, but it was great fun as an exercise!! When it stops working it'll be a fun nonfunctional decoration -- I'm really pleased with it. Thanks again for sharing this project. #paperCircuit #papercraft
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsMay 16, 2025
@iris hey! Thanks for sharing your experience. It aligns pretty much with my experiences. Copper tape does not make good connections. Especially the standard copper tape with non-conductive adhesive.
Also I can not find translucent paper that is nice to fold. Its always too sturdy and/or breaks. Or to flimsy to print on.
Anyway! Your book lamp turned out well and I really like the recycled book cover!
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsMay 16, 2025
@iris one more thing: the upside of copper tape is that you can solder to it!
Show threadIris Young (he/they/she) (PhD)May 16, 2025
@VoltPaperScissors I did end up soldering to it! Somehow still not great connections -- could be where I'm using magnets to pin the circuit closed for the on position. I substituted a bookmark that you pull in and out for the mechanism. But it could as easily be my crap soldering job.
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsMay 16, 2025
@iris great idea to use a bookmark as on/off. The slide switch is a bit tricky. I want to add instructions for a reed switch mechanism. That would probably be more reliable.
Show threadlizzzzardNov 24
@iris the book cover is a piece of art in itself! @VoltPaperScissors
Show threadMichael | VoltPaperScissorsNov 24
@lizzard Definitely!