Bearables Fox Kit

by Pimoroni

A complete Bearables Fox Kit with coloured LED badge, light sensor, thread, needles, and battery.  Sewable, hackable, wearable, adorable!

Bearables is a range of woodland-themed wearable LED badges and sensors. Wear the badges on their own, or connect them to one of the sensors with conductive thread to bring them to life. Designed for kids* (suggested age 8+) and grown-up kids alike!

Attach the flower light sensor to the Fox badge and when you cover the sensor or when it's dark your badge's LEDs will light up.

In their five star review, The MagPi said that Bearables were "excellent value for money" and that "the badge kit has everything you need to sew your interactive badge and sensor to clothes".

*Contains small parts. Not suitable for children 3 years or younger. This is not a toy. Keep battery out of reach of children. If ingested, seek medical help immediately.

Kit contains

  • Fox badge with 12 LEDs (multi-coloured)
  • Flower light sensor
  • 3m stainless steel conductive thread
  • 3 sewing needles
  • CR2032 3V coin cell battery
  • 2x sticker sheets
  • Instructions
  • Reusable box

Features

  • 12 coloured LEDs (blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink)
  • 12 light patterns
  • Multi-functional button (mode change, sleep, trigger mode)
  • PIC16F1503 microcontroller
  • Sewable hooks
  • Light sensor with two phototransistors
  • Battery life of 3-4 days with a CR2032 coin cell battery

Using your Bearables badge

Press the multi-functional button on your badge briefly to cycle through the light patterns. Each of the LEDs will light to indicate which of the 12 patterns is currently selected. Press and hold the button to put your badge into sleep mode.

The nifty design of the badges and sensors means that it's super-simple to connect them. It doesn't matter which way round they're connected. Just connect one hook on the badge to one hook on the sensor with conductive thread, then do the same with the other two hooks.

Once a sensor is connected, press and hold the multi-functional button to put your badge into trigger mode. Now when you trigger the sensor, the LED lights on your badge will light up.

Notes

  • Bearables badges and sensors are not waterproof or washable
  • Be aware that conductive thread is sharp!
  • Ensure that the two pieces of conductive thread connecting your Bearables badge and sensor do not touch, bearing (pun intended) in mind that they may touch when the fabric is creased or folded. Nothing bad will happen, the sensor just won't work as it should.
  • The hooks on the back can be shorted without any damage to the badge, although it may trigger the LEDs similar to triggering them with a sensor. A painted or coated safety pin will work better than a bare metal one.
  • A dab of clear nail varnish on the conductive thread around the hook can help to give a better, more reliable connection
  • Badge dimensions: 47x35x5mm (LxWxH)
  • Sensor dimensions: 17x17x5mm (LxWxH)

15 customer reviews

2 years ago
Arrived promptly,love the packaging, only problem is that I will have to now order another one as my partner wants one too! Kids love them though
by James about Bearables Fox Kit via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
I bought two bearables for my kids. If they weren't enthusiastic when we started, they sure became fired up by my enthusiasm. The whole kit is an easy and fun adventure. Easy to tread and absolutely stunning once eh .. assembled. My kids loved the end product and are now having fun trying to figure out when exactly it turns on or off. Recommend.
by kenny about Bearables Fox Kit via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Super cute, easy to understand instructions and worked the first time the kids tried it. The sewing needed a bit more handholding as expected, but that's completely fine. An extra plus in the instructions would have been to mention, that the lights can be switched also by just connecting the pieces, without sewing (therefore giving a bit quicker result, especially with impatient children).
by Anonym about Bearables Fox Kit via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Very good, bought with a bear badge as portable LEDs for party hats... would order again as a cheap and hassle free yet programmable setup! I'm such a fan of inexpensive (&cute!) kits to make interactive projects and thought this was much better than using one of my flora with a neopixel ring which would have required some more obvious wiring + would have been a bit more clunky! Also, just to note that the box it comes in is really tough and super useful. See my other review (bearables badge) for the video.
by S about Bearables Fox Kit via REVIEWS.io
6 years ago
We’ve made the bear, last year, so now to make the fox! A great kit for 8+ year olds to make with the help of an adult. We have put them on mini cloth tote bags.
by Anne about Bearables Fox Kit via REVIEWS.io
6 years ago
Is absolutely perfect. I wanted something other then games for my son to start taking an interest in. So was asking around and a friend recommended your site. My only problem was trying to choose what to get! Perfect starter kit for him and have my eye on quite a few things. Loved the packaging and presentation. One very happy mum
by Alison about Bearables Fox Kit via REVIEWS.io