Children have always liked to learn by copying the adults around them, and thus have always desired toys that emulate the tools which their older forebears use on a daily basis. [rhoalt]’s daughter wished for an oven to play with, so a trip to IKEA was in order to get started.
The build begins with the IKEA Duktig, a beautiful fun-sized oven. [rhoalt] then breaks out the hacker staple foods of 7-segment displays, swanky backlit buttons and an Arduino Nano. Through some careful handiwork, the wooden panels that make up the toy oven are drilled and routed out to fit the components.
The electronics are all used to create an oven with a digital timer, and the final effect achieved is rather nice. The glowy buttons can be used to set and reset the timer, while an LED strip inside lights up to simulate cooking. [rhoalt] shares all the construction details along with some parent-friendly tips, like taping over the buzzer to reduce the volume, and ensuring the timer is limited to 10 minutes to avoid any late-night surprises.
It’s a tidy project with a strong sense of fun, and the presentation is top-notch. Even we older, jaded hackers light up for a good glowy-buttoned project, so we’re sure [rhoalt]’s daughter loves her new toy. For more toy oven action, check out this Easy Bake converted to USB. Video after the break.
I should build one, too. With my cooking skills, my bf won’t let me near the real oven…
When my first GF moved in, “Putting out the Dinner” took on a whole new meaning for me :-)
Years ago, 3″ square pcb’s could be found at Radio Rallies for pennies. Flat, with thick vertical pins, shorting these with a toy saucepan produced ‘cooking sounds’ for the toy cooker it came from. Small audio amp & sound chip. Ham magazine suggested using these as a throwie.
My kids have this same oven and I’ve been thinking of ways to make it more fun. I’m DEFINITELY doing this!
Those tamper proof ringed LED buttons are like $20 each. They alone probably double the value of this fine mod.
But do they add that extra flair?
Check aliexpress, search for 16mm angel eye button and you’ll find lots of cheaper ones!
Unprotected CR battery? No, no, no! Are you insane?
It takes me a couple of minutes with the proper hex key to get to the battery. There are pictures in the instructable without the countertop to show what’s inside, but when the children are playing with it, there’s no easy way to get to the battery. Thanks for your concern, though, batteries are definitely not toys.
Yeah, my mistake – on looking at it I thought the pics were showing the underside of the countertop (eg at the start of step 5), but I now see that’s the ‘roof’ of the oven instead, and the countertop seals it in. Phew :-)
I was at a store recently and saw a wooden box with strange knobs. Upon closer inspection I found it was a kids play microwave oven. Made out of wood with wooden knobs. Crazy thing is, it was life size, and almost twice the price of a real microwave oven. Just buy the real thing cut off the plug and you’re ready to go.
The same can be said of kitchen cabinets. Made from chipboard, a kitchen cabinet is often more expensive than a dishwasher, made from stainless steel, water proof, with pump, controllers etc. Forget kitchen cabinets , just give me three appropriately placed dishwashers and save me the effort of needlessly packing and unpacking. A small red fridge magnet can identify the current “dirty” one.
This is a brilliant idea! :-)