At-Home Adapting


For those seeking guidance on how to adapt a toy themselves, this page has a collection of instruction sheets, videos, and adaptable toys that can get you started.

When checking to see if a toy is compatible with adapting, look for a battery-operated toy that has an on/off switch or a push/squeeze button that begins the toy’s function. Also, on plastic toys, look for screws that will allow you to open the toy and access the electronics. If you need a good toy recommendation, here are some toys that we commonly adapt and suggest starting with.

To adapt, you will need some tools and parts. They are as follows:

  • A 3.5 mm female audio jack
  • A couple feet of two-conductor wire with no attachments on the ends (i.e. no wall outlet plugs)
  • A soldering iron
  • Solder – we recommend one with a leaded rosin core

Our “How to Adapt a Toy” instruction sheet provides general instructions for adapting a toy in a step-by-step format. You can download it here.

We also have step-by-step instructions for specific toys. Check here to see if we have an instruction sheet for the toy you are adapting.

The following videos are instructional demonstrations on how to solder the wires and electronics to your toy. Make sure to solder carefully and safely!