Newbie Accessory recommendations

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,
I have a total newbie question... I have been looking through this forum and several other websites, but haven't really found a thread that covers what I'm looking for.

I am new to Arduino but I am reasonably electronic, computer, and tech savvy. I have been running through some of the tutorials, and now I am starting to do some of own small projects. I have a bunch of LED's, breadboards, wires, resistors but am looking for a "relatively" short list of accessories that people would recommend picking up and just generally always trying to have on hand.

I don't have a specific target in mind, but surely there are things that people always keep on hand for general tinkering purposes.

Additionally, I have a young school-age child that I would like to introduce to some fun little electronic projects (arduino, breadboarding, etc.), so that is partially the lens with which I ask the question.

2

Try to get some servos / DC motors, maybe a keypad, an LCD screen, and try to combine them into a single code. Test each one first, get accustomed to them and how each one works. If you need libraries go to the playground Arduino Playground - InterfacingWithHardware

The most common thing people make are keypad locks. They are fun and easy to make. If you need any help, we are here and ready for any questions you may have.

3

Hi,
You may want to look at the contents of some "Starter Kits" to see what others have found important. There's a comparison here:
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/StarterSetsComparison

You will find my prejudices after 3 or 4 years messing about with this stuff in the "YourDuino" Kits.

With a young person involved, where breadboards can be fussy and connections are sometime unreliable, you may want to consider "Electronic Bricks" which are small circuit boards with a connector and cable that plugs directly into a Sensor Shield (http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/SensorShield) or a Arduino-compatible that has added 3-pin connectors like: http://yourduino.com/sunshop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=225

Look at the http://ArduinoInfo.Info WIKI for cable/connection information: http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/Cables

And you may be able to use the "Hands-On-Arduino" How-To pages at: http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/YourDuinoStarter
It includes sample Software Sketches for most of those components.

Let us know how you do, and if you ever want to write up a "Really Young Person's Arduino How-To" i'd love to publish it on ArduinoInfo.

DISCLAIMER: Mentioned stuff from my own shop...

4

Thanks. That is exactly what I'm looking for.... a little beyond the commercial "starter" packs, but not the $5000 "build-your-own" synchrotron either...