How to Build Your First Simple Circuit

Learn how to make a small light bulb glow using a battery, a wire, and a few simple household items. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your wires. Make sure about half an inch of metal wire is exposed at both ends of your two wires. If you need help with this, ask a grown-up to use wire strippers for you.
2. Connect to the battery. Tape one end of the first wire to the bottom (negative) end of your battery. Tape one end of the second wire to the top (positive) end of the battery.
3. Light it up. Touch the free end of the first wire to the side of the light bulb, and touch the free end of the second wire to the bottom tip of the light bulb. When both wires make contact, your bulb should glow.