The SparkFun Inventor’s Kit for MicroPython teaches embedded electronics through 16 guided circuits and five projects, ending with an autonomous robot. Learn MicroPython in your browser with no soldering required, using the RP2350 IoT RedBoard with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The SparkFun Inventor’s Kit for MicroPython is an all-in-one starter kit for learning embedded electronics using MicroPython, a beginner-friendly version of Python 3. It guides you through 16 interconnected circuits and five major projects, starting with simple tasks like blinking an LED and building up to a final challenge: assembling and programming an autonomous robot that can navigate on its own. No previous programming or electronics experience is needed — if you can use a computer and access the internet, you can get started.
Everything is designed to be beginner-friendly and hands-on, with no soldering required. The kit uses plug-and-play parts and a solderless breadboard, so you can start building immediately. Because MicroPython is built to be close to standard Python, it’s easy to write readable code that interacts with real hardware, and the skills you learn transfer well to other Python projects.
Browser-Based Interactive Learning
To make setup simple, the main learning experience runs entirely in your web browser at sik.sparkfun.com. The guide uses JupyterLite Notebooks, which keep the step-by-step instructions and coding environment side by side. This means you can write and run MicroPython code in small chunks and see the results straight away on your hardware, with no complex software to install. A version using a more traditional IDE environment is also included.
Expandable Hardware for Future Projects
At the centre of the kit is the SparkFun RP2350 IoT RedBoard, which provides the processing power for reading sensors, controlling motors, and running your projects. It includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it a strong base for future IoT work once you’ve learned the fundamentals. The RedBoard also supports expansion into the SparkFun Qwiic ecosystem, allowing you to add a wide range of I2C sensors and modules using standard 1 mm, 4-pin connectors for faster, more reliable prototyping.
Once you’ve completed the included projects, the kit is designed to keep growing with you — a solid starting point for learning electronics and a platform you can build on long after you finish the guide.
Please note: The USB cable pictured on the interior box art is inaccurate. The correct USB-C to USB-C cable has been provided. AA batteries are not included, but you can pick some up here.
Features
Project 1: Light Circuit 1A: Blink an LED Circuit 1B: Reading a Potentiometer Circuit 1C: Reading a Photoresistor Circuit 1D: RGB Night-Light In Project 1, you will learn about Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), resistors, inputs, outputs, and sensors. The first project will be to build and program your own multicoloured night-light! The night-light uses a sensor to activate an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED when it gets dark, and you can change the colour using an input knob.
Project 2: Sound Circuit 2A: Buzzer Circuit 2B: Digital Trumpet Circuit 2C: "Simon Says" Game In Project 2, you will venture into the world of buttons and buzzers while building your own “Simon Says” game! “Simon Says” is a game in which the LEDs flash a pattern of red, green, yellow, and blue blinks, and the user must recreate the pattern using colour-coded buttons before the timer runs out.
Project 3: Motion Circuit 3A: Servo Motors Circuit 3B: Distance Sensor Circuit 3C: Motion Alarm Tired of your cat walking all over the kitchen counter? How about the dog getting into the garbage? In Project 3, you will learn how to build a motion alarm of sorts. This alarm will detect distance and motion using an ultrasonic distance sensor, and then create motion using a servo motor.
Project 4: Display Circuit 4A: OLED Hello World Circuit 4B: Digital Temperature Circuit 4C: Who Am I? Game What if you want to make your project mobile and see sensor values away from your computer? This project will show you how to do precisely that. In Project 4, you will learn about organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and how to print things like sensor data and strings of words to the display.
Project 5: Robot Circuit 5A: Motor Basics Circuit 5B: Remote-Controlled Robot Circuit 5C: Autonomous Robot Ah, robots. One of the most iconic and exciting electronics applications. In Project 5, you will learn all about DC motors and motor drivers by building your own robot! You’ll first learn motor control basics. Then you’ll control a tethered robot by sending it commands over serial. Last, you will unleash your robot by removing the tether and making it autonomous! By adding a distance sensor, the robot can learn how to avoid obstacles.
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