13 Arduino LED Projects you need to try!
We pretty much use LEDs and lights every single day. Known for their long lifespan, LEDs can be used for simple lighting and to display information. If you’re thinking about trying out LED projects for yourself, you’re in luck!
In this article, I will be showing you 13 Arduino LED projects you should check out – ranging from practical and useful lighting to some fun and wacky projects! LED projects are a great way for beginners to learn more about Arduino.
Before we dive in, if you want to get an LED for yourself, do feel free to check out Seeed’s catalogue of LEDs. I’ll be linking some of the popular options down below:
- Grove – Red LED (Comes in Green and Blue as well!) – Flexible LED with Grove compatible interface!
- Grove LED Bar v2.0 – Controllable 10 LED gauge bar Grove module
- Grove – Variable Color LED V1.1 – A RGB LED controllable through Digital and PWM signal, with three changeable resistors onboard
- Grove – Ultimate RGB LED Ring – 42 full-colour mini LEDs placed around a 117mm diameter ring
- Grove – RGB LED Ring (24) – 24 full-colour mini LEDs placed around a 70mm diameter ring
- Grove – RGB LED Ring (16) – 16 full-colour mini LEDs placed around a 58mm diameter ring
- Grove – RGB LED Matrix w/Driver – 8×8 RGB LED Matrix with 54-pixel LEDs and 255 colours for each pixel
- Grove – RGB LED Stick (10) – 10 full-colour RGB LEDs on a stick
- Grove – RGB LED Ring (20 – WS2813 Mini) – RGB LED Ring with 20 chainable and programmable mini LEDs
- Crazyflie 2.0 – LED-ring Expansion Board – Customisable circular RGB LED expansion board with 12 LEDs controllable via PC and mobile devices
- Digital RGB LED Flexi-Strip 30 LED – 1 Meter – RGB LED light strip with high brightness and energy-saving capabilities.
With that being said, let’s move on to our LED projects!
- Smart Lamp
This smart lamp turns on itself when the environment gets dark! With this, you can be assured that your home will always be lit up! You can also easily turn it back on or off with a simple hand gesture. It will be perfect for those who want an autonomous lighting system.
What you’ll need:
- SparkFun APDS-9960 (Consider our Grove Light and Proximity Sensor!)
- Jumper Wires
- Lamp with AC plug
- Generic Relay
- Arduino Uno (Consider our Seeeduino V4.2!)
- Relay Module
Instead of an Arduino Uno, do check out Seeed’s own Seeeduino Nano that features an added Grove I2C connector at a cheaper price! The Grove I2C connectors allows it to connect to hundreds of sensors and actuators such as the Grove Light and Proximity Sensor easily.
If a smart lighting system is what you want, do check out this smart lamp!
- Mood Lamp
Set the mood of your room or home workspace with a Smart Arduino Mood Lamp. Easily change the colour of the lights to create an atmosphere which can enhance the atmosphere you want. For example, set blue colours lights to relax, yellow lights for a happy vibe, and green lights for a soothing effect. The lamp also features a fully customisable “smart” RGB diode that allows for more complicated effects.
What you’ll need:
- Walnut 1/2″
- Purpleheart 1/8″
- Clear Acrylic Sheet 1/4″
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- RGB WS2812
- Microphone Module
Find out more on Instructables.
- LED EMOJI Display
Do you have a favourite Emoji? Do you regularly use Emojis to display your mood while texting? Well, now you can do it in real life too, with the LED EMOJI Display!
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- Red LED Dot Matrix Display
- Jumper Wires
Sounds like the kind of art you’re into? Try out this project!
Ref: Hackster
Valentine’s Day is coming up, are you looking for an unconventional gift for your partner? This project shows you how you can 3D print flowers and present them with beautiful LEDs! The best thing? You only need a few components to recreate this project!
What you’ll need:
- Arduino UNO (Consider our Seeeduino V4.2!)
- Flexible Straws
- Natural PLA
- Bone White PLA
- Light strip
- Power Supply
- 3D printer
Sounds like the perfect gift for your partner? Check out this project before Valentine’s Day!
Ref: Hackster
Build your very own Tic Tac Toe game that you can play using an Arduino Mega! This automated game allows you to play with your family and friends by punching, putting your hands into the boxes to mark an O or X.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Mega (Consider our Seeeduino Mega!)
- Proximity Sensors
- RGB LED Strip
- BC547 Transistors
- 1k ohm Resistors
- Male & Female Headers
- DC Socket
- Buzzer (Consider our Grove – Piezo Buzzer/Active Buzzer)
- Push Button
- ON-OFF Switch
- 5v Adapter
- 12v Adapter
- Custom Made Wooden Box
If you’re looking to build this familiar game that everyone knows how to play, check out this project for the full instructions!
Ref: Arduino Project Hub
Looking to build a game for your family to enjoy? This project shows you how to build your 1-dimensional version of the classic game ‘Pong’ with LEDs! It is a 2-player game in which the ‘ball’ travels down the length of the LED strip, and will bounce back if the button is pressed when few end LEDs are illuminated.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- LED strip with 60 LEDs
- 4 Buttons
- Buzzer (Consider our Grove – Piezo Buzzer/Active Buzzer)
- Transistor
- Resistors x2
Enjoy DIY games? Check out this project and have fun with your family and friends!
Ref: Hackster
Got a baby that is constantly full of energy and curious about everything? This project allows you to set up a game for your child and when they press a button the light of the same colour, it turns on and a sound is played! It helps to keep them entertained so you’ll have more time for yourself.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino UNO (Consider our Seeeduino V4.2!)
- 4 arcade button 45mm
- 4 colour LED
- Speaker 40 ohm
- 10uf capacitor
- Wire both of these can be useful here and here
- Resistor 10k Ohms 5% here
- 9v battery (or any power supply for Arduino)
- Any high chair with a tablet
Does this sound like something your child would enjoy? Check out this project and start building now!
- Arduino LED Lightsaber
“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power,” Obi-Wan tells Luke. However, a battery is all it needs to give this Arduino LED lightsaber its power. If you’re a major Star Wars fan and feeling a little adventurous, this is for you! This elegant customisable lightsaber will give you an advantage over your toughest foes… or at least give you a cool looking desk decoration.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino MKR Zero
- Neopixel 12 Ring
- Color Sensor
- Speaker: 0.25W, 8 ohms
- Powerboost 500c
- UDOO 2AA Battery Holder for RTC
- 2.5w Amp
- Resistor 10k ohm
- Pushbutton Switch
- Slide Switch
- Male Header 40 Position 1 Row (0.1″)
- Micro-USB to USB Cable (Generic)
- Jumper Wires
If you are ready to wield this mighty weapon, check out this project now.
- Arduino Indoor Garden
Ref: Hackster
If you possess green fingers, you will know that gardening requires a lot of effort. However, if we add an Arduino into the equation, things get way easier! By adding some sensor, actuators and a few simple lines of codes, you’ll have yourself a fully automated indoor garden that is controllable via your Android device!
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- Bluetooth to USB Dongle
- JLCPCB Customized PCB
- Light sensor BH1750 (Consider our Grove Digital Light Sensor!)
- Soil Moisture Sensor (Consider our Grove Soil Moisture Sensor!)
- Temperature & Humidity sensor (Consider our Grove Temperature & Humidity Sensor!)
- Light white LED
- Water pump
- DC 12V cooling fan
- Arduino LED Dice
Ref: Instructables
An Arduino LED Dice is a simple, inexpensive and fun project that is suitable for beginners who are learning Arduino. With a minimal amount of components, you will be able to make a cool Arduino LED Dice!
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Uno (Consider our Seeeduino V4.2!)
- 7x LEDs of any colour
- A 10k Resistor
- 7x 220 or 330 Resistor
- A Push Button
- Breadboard
- Jumper Wires
Find our more on Instructables.
- Arduino Nano LED Clock
Ref: Hackster
A LED digital clock will be a great desk accessory. With the LED matrix display, reading the clock from a distance will be easy too. This simple project is also great for beginners who are getting into Arduino.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- LED Matrix
- Photo Resistor
- Breadboard
- DS3231
If you’re in need of a new cool desk accessory, head on over here to find out more.
- Arduino Controlled Traffic Lights
Children love toy cars. Toy cars are fun but we can make it even better. A traffic light can be made using an Arduino and some LED which can make playing with toy cars even more fun. It is also a good and intuitive way to teach a child traffic rules.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- 5mm LED: Red, Yellow and Green
- Rotary Potentiometer
- Slide Switch
- Resistor 100 ohm
Find out more here.
- LED Matrix Info Display
Ref: Hackster
This is a 6-in-1 display that tells you the day of the week, month, year, time, temperature and humidity! Encased in this beautiful wood case, this 32×8 LED display will look good on any tabletop. If you are looking for a fairly simple, practical and fun project to work on, this is the one. You will definitely be pleased with the end results.
What you’ll need:
- Arduino Nano (Consider our Seeeduino Nano!)
- DS1302 Real Time Clock
- AM2320 Temperature and humidity sensor
- PIR Motion Sensor (generic)
- MAX7219 8×8 LED matrix
Find out more on Hackster.
Summary
And that’s all on our Arduino LED projects! We hope that you’ll be interested to try out some of these projects for yourself, surely at least one of them would be to your liking. Do check out the other LED related articles if you have enjoyed this one! Happy tinkering!
Many of the aforementioned projects use an Arduino Nano. Instead of an Arduino Nano, do check out Seeed’s own Seeeduino Nano that features an added Grove I2C connector at a cheaper price! The Grove I2C connectors allow it to connect to hundreds of sensors and actuators such as the Grove Light and Proximity Sensor easily.
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