SparkFun Digital Sandbox

The Digital Sandbox (DS) is a learning platform that engages both the software and hardware worlds. It’s powered by a microcontroller that can interact with real-world inputs – like light or temperature sensors – while simultaneously controlling LEDs, motors, and other outputs. The Digital Sandbox is equipped with everything, on board, you will need to complete 13 experiments, including controlling an LED, measuring how loud things are, detecting what the temperature is, and more. Think of this as a SparkFun Inventor's Kit, all in one board!

By interfacing the Sandbox to your computer via a USB cable, the Sandbox can be programmed using the popular Arduino programming environment. To further simplify the experience, we’ve designed the Sandbox and its guide around a simple, “blocky” programming add-on to Arduino called Ardublock. Using ArduBlock – a simple, graphical version of the popular Arduino language – you will be able to program all the experiments with a simple graphical interface instead of writing code.

The full-color Digital Sandbox Guide (included) contains step-by-step instructions on how to connect each circuit with the included parts. Full example code is provided and explained, and even includes troubleshooting tips if something goes wrong. The kit does not require any soldering and is recommended for beginners ages 8 and up.

Note: There are three additional circuit experiments included in the DS Guide that will require the Digital Sandbox Add-On pack.

Includes:

Included in Kit:

• 1x Digital Sandbox Board
• 1x Clear Acrylic Baseplate
• 1x USB Mini-B Cable - 6ft
• 1x Instruction Manual
• 4x Phillips Machine Screw - 4-40, 3/8"
• 4x Standoff - 4-40, 3/8"

Included on Board:

• LED Bar Graph
• Slide Switch
• Temperature Sensor
• Light Sensor
• RGB LED
• Slide Potentiometer
• Microphone
• Push Button
• 3-pin Add-On Header

Documents:

• Schematic
• Eagle Files
• Digital Sandbox Guide
• Experiment Guide
• Experiment Guide (Arduino Companion)
• DS Guide (Separate Circuits)
• Virtual Digital Sandbox - Hour of Code
• ArduBlock & Digital Sandbox Examples:
  • Windows
  • Mac OS X
• Arduino Addon Files (IDE 1.5+)
• GitHub (Example Code & Design Files)
• Product Video

Examples:

• Circuit 1: Exploring Blink
• Circuit 2: Multi-Blink
• Circuit 3: Dimming (the Hard Way)
• Circuit 4: Dimming (the Easy Way)
• Circuit 5: Color Mixing
• Circuit 6: Number Storage with Variables
• Circuit 7: If This, Then That
• Circuit 8: The Reaction Tester
• Circuit 9: Serial Calculator
• Circuit 10: Do the Analog Slide
• Circuit 11: Automatic Night Light
• Circuit 12: Thermal Alert!
• Circuit 13: Sound Detecting

Videos