Join Us for #LightUpPopUpTober 2026
What is PopUpTober?
This fall Chibitronics is collaborating with Keith Allen (@5am_popup), during his annual #PopUpTober Instagram challenge! PopUpTober is a daily pop-up art challenge throughout the month of October.
We (@Chibitronics) are inviting everyone within our ecosystem of paper crafters and makers to join @5am_popup with an additional challenge—to add light to one or more of Keith’s pop-up prompts and share their #LightUpPopUp with us on Instagram!
PopUpTober 2026 Prompts & Rules
The NEW Prompts Are HERE !
#LightUpPopUpTober Adds a Twist!
Rules for #LightUpPopUpTober
- Make ANY kind of POP-UP using the word prompts by @5am_popup.
- Pop-ups include a variety of interactive and mechanical cards.
- Integrate a light source (ex. paper circuit, tealight, flashlight, EZ light, etc).
- Post to Instagram in October with the date/prompt given.
- Use the hashtags: #PopUpTober #LightUpPopUpTober #chibitronics
- Mention @chibitronics and @5am_popup
Like last year, our 2026 team includes a variety of volunteers from a mix of backgrounds— including educators, makers, members of our Design Team, and a star-studded line-up of paper crafters and pop-up engineers!
[The “Slide-to-Swing” mechanism that this pop-up is based upon was orginally designed by Kumpei SHINDO.]
Introducing the Chibitronics #LightUpPopUpTober 2026 Team!
JOIN THE FUN! Share Your Work with Us!
If you are interested in building your paper engineering skills, we hope that you’ll consider creating something during #LightUpPopUpTober 2026 and sharing it with us on social media.
Throughout September and October, we’ll be updating this page with additional resources and inspiration!
Pop-Up Resources
Circuit Templates for Paper Engineers
If you are new to paper circuitry, or if you are looking to increase your understanding of how circuits, switches, and simple sensors work, please check out our two newest template sketchbooks for some tips and tricks. You can also peruse the step-by-step tutorials below for some other ideas that you might be able to apply!
PopUpTober Tutorial: Light-Up Pop-Up Travel Journal
Tech Tip: Try Circuit Sketcher for Prototyping Your 3D Build
PopUpTober Tutorial: Bouquet Made with a Simple V-Fold
PopUpTober Tutorial: Pixel Beating Heart Card
PopUpTober Tutorial: Bird Made with 45 Degree Folds
PopUpTober Tutorial: Parallelogram With an OR Switch
PopUpTober Tutorial: Sequence Slide Switch Pop-Up
PopUpTober Tutorial: Headless Horseman
Video Tutorial: DIY Pop-Up Birthday Cake Card
PopUpTober Tutorial: Pop-Up Jack-O-Lantern
Video Tutorial: Pivot Pop-Up Light-Up Card
PopUpTober Tutorial: Light-Up Slot & Tab Mechanism
PopUpTober Tutorial: Light-Up Floating Plane Pop-Up Mechanism
Video Tutorial: Create a Light-Up Pop-Up Card
PopUpTober Tutorial: Create Four Light-Up Foundation Shapes or One Pop-Up Book
PopUpTober Tutorial: Double Pivot Pop-Up Mechanism
