A STEM Project: A Magical Dining Scene: Bringing Belle and Ariel Together with MicroBlocks and the MakerPort

From Walmart Toy Sets to an Interactive Masterpiece

Watch the video to see the scene come alive!

There are five touch points that play different songs.

After attending a delightful production of Beauty and the Beast at my granddaughter's school, I found myself inspired during a routine shopping trip to Walmart. There in the toy section sat a Beauty and the Beast playset that sparked an idea—what if I could bring this scene to life with lights, music, and movement?

I couldn't resist adding a Little Mermaid playset to my cart as well. Little did I know that these two playsets would become the foundation for one of my most ambitious projects yet, combining MicroBlocks programming, MakerPort technology, and traditional crafting techniques.

Building the Foundation: Elegant Seating

Upholstered chairs adorn the scene

Every magical dining experience needs proper seating. I crafted custom chairs for both Belle and Ariel following these instructions. To give them a more elegant appearance befitting our princesses, I upholstered each chair, transforming simple paper furniture into sophisticated dining seats.

The Table: Where Coding Meets Craftsmanship

For the centerpiece table, I turned to TurtleStitch to code a presentation box design. One of the things I love most about working with code is the flexibility it provides—thanks to variables in the programming, I can adjust the size of this table design to fit any future project needs.  Check out the TurtleStitch code.

The presentation box serves a dual purpose: it provides a sturdy, elegant surface for dining while also concealing the technical components that bring the scene to life.

Illuminating the Magic

The lighting in this project works on multiple levels:

The Centerpiece Neopixel: Embedded in the center of the table, a Neopixel light creates a warm, colorful glow that draws the eye to the table's center.

The Rotating Tea Service: A servo motor continuously rotates a platter featuring Mrs. Potts and Chip, adding movement and whimsy to the scene.

Luminaire's Pixie Lights: To complete the ambiance, I added pixie lights to Luminaire (the candelabra). These affordable lights from the Dollar Store were modified—I cut them from their original battery casing and connected them to the MakerPort using alligator clips. This technique is similar to what I used in my clown project, and it works beautifully.

The Soundtrack: A Musical Compromise

My original plan included five touch sensors programmed to play music from Beauty and the Beast. However, my granddaughter had other ideas. "That's not fair!" she declared. "Ariel wants her music too!"

She was absolutely right. The final version includes beloved songs from both Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, activated by touch sensors positioned around the scene. Now both princesses can enjoy their signature melodies.

Finishing Touches: Form Meets Function

The tablecloth design balances aesthetics with practicality. The top portion is glued directly to the presentation box, creating a seamless, elegant appearance. However, the skirt features an elastic top that can be easily removed whenever I need to access the MakerPort and electronics housed inside the box.

All of the electronics and interactive elements were programmed using MicroBlocks, which gave me precise control over the lights, sounds, and movements.

The Grand Reveal

A table fit for princesses!

When I finally presented the completed project to my granddaughters, their reaction made every hour of work worthwhile. Their faces lit up brighter than any Neopixel as they discovered they could make the lights change colors, the tea service spin, and their favorite Disney songs play with just a touch.

Watching them play with Belle and Ariel in this interactive, illuminated dining scene reminded me why I love combining traditional crafts with modern technology—it creates experiences that engage children's imaginations in ways that neither approach could achieve alone.

What's Next?

This project has opened up so many possibilities. The modular nature of the TurtleStitch-coded presentation box means I can create different scenes and settings for future adventures. And thanks to the removable tablecloth skirt, I can easily reprogram the MicroBlocks to add new features or change the music selections.

Who knows? Perhaps a third princess will join Belle and Ariel for dinner soon. After all, there's always room at the table for more magic.

Update: I may have already made another trip to Walmart... and a Frozen playset with Elsa may have found its way into my cart. Something tells me my granddaughters are going to insist that Elsa needs a seat at the table—and her own music, of course! The dining party is about to get even more crowded, and I couldn't be happier about it.

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Have you combined traditional crafts with coding and electronics? I'd love to hear about your projects in the comments below!