littleBits Input Modules

The littleBits button is a big, springy push-button that turns your circuit on while it's held and off when you let go — one of the simplest ways to give students hands-on control of a build. Combine it with our littleBits input modules to trigger lights, sound and motion. Try it: snap a buzzer after the button to tap out Morse code, or use it to switch an LED or motor on demand.

The littleBits envelope shapes the loudness of a sound over time, turning a plain tone into something closer to a real instrument. Two dials set the "attack" (how quickly the sound rises) and "decay" (how quickly it fades), and a third connection lets you trigger it from a keyboard or another Bit. It's part of the littleBits synth family within our output Bits. Try it: place it after an oscillator and trigger it from a keyboard to play expressive, piano-like notes.

The littleBits light sensor reacts to how much light is falling on it, with "light" and "dark" modes and a screwdriver-adjustable sensitivity — so the same Bit can trigger a circuit when a room brightens or when it goes dark. It's one of the most useful littleBits sensors for real-world projects. Try it: pair it with an LED to make an automatic night light, or with a bargraph to watch the reading change as you cover the sensor.

The littleBits motion trigger works like the sensor on an automatic door: when something moves nearby, it sends an ON signal to the Bits that follow. It's sensitive enough for quick, reliable detection in classroom builds, and pairs neatly with the rest of our input Bits. Try it: add a few LEDs to build a motion-activated security light, or a buzzer for a simple room alarm.

The littleBits pressure sensor is touch-activated — give its pad a squeeze and the harder you press, the more signal it sends. It's a hands-on way to introduce variable (analogue) inputs, and works with any of our littleBits input modules. Try it: put it before a vibration or DC motor to control how much something shakes or spins.

The littleBits proximity sensor detects objects in front of it and can tell whether something is near or far — a great starting point for automation and robotics projects. Combine it with other input Bits to build responsive inventions. Try it: use it to make a self-navigating vehicle that avoids obstacles, or a hands-free instrument you play by waving.

The littleBits pulse is like an electronic heartbeat: it sends out a steady stream of ON signals, and you can speed them up or slow them down with the included screwdriver. It's a simple way to add timing and rhythm to a circuit alongside our other input Bits. Try it: use it to make an LED blink steadily, or to drive a repeating motion in a build.

The littleBits remote trigger lets students control a circuit with an ordinary infrared remote — point almost any remote at its sensor and press a button to activate the Bits that follow. It adds a wireless element to builds and works with the rest of our littleBits input modules. Try it: build a remote-controlled light, or a gate that opens at the press of a button.

The littleBits slide dimmer is a slider that sends a smoothly changing (analogue) signal as you move it — perfect for fine control over things like brightness, volume or motor speed. It's one of the most useful littleBits input modules for adding a "dial" to a build. Try it: place it before an LED to fade the light up and down, or before a DC motor to control how fast it spins.

The littleBits sound trigger reacts to noise — a clap, a shout or music — and sends an ON signal when the sound is loud enough. You can adjust its sensitivity with the included screwdriver, so it works in quiet or noisy rooms. Combine it with our other input Bits for sound-activated inventions. Try it: build a clap-activated light, or a noise meter that lights a bargraph when the room gets too loud.

The littleBits temperature sensor measures how warm or cold it is and sends a signal that changes with the temperature — a simple way to bring real-world data into a circuit. Pair it with the rest of our littleBits input modules to build responsive projects. Try it: connect it to a number Bit to make a digital thermometer, or to a buzzer for a "too hot" alarm.

The littleBits threshold only lets a signal through once it passes a level you set with the screwdriver — turning a gradually changing input into a clear on/off point. It's a great introduction to decision-making in a circuit, and sits with our other input Bits. Try it: put it after a light sensor so a lamp only switches on once a room gets dark enough, not the moment the light dips.

The littleBits toggle switch is a simple manual switch: flip it one way to send an ON signal, the other way for OFF. It's the most straightforward way to give students hands-on control of when a circuit runs, and works with the rest of our littleBits input modules. Try it: use it as a simple power switch for a build, so a light, motor or buzzer only runs when you want it to.