So on Sunday, I'm out with the kids at Walmart and we see this really cool toy microwave in the clearance section for just a couple of bucks. Being the highly indulgent mother I am, I spring for it not realizing the hidden dangers that lurked within the box. There were beeps. Lots and lots of beeps. Annoying, high-pitched, irritating, ear-bending beeps. You pushed a button, it beeped. The "cycle" ended, it beeped. It sat too long being ignored, it beeped.
At this point, most people would have simply taken out the batteries and had done with it. But geek moms are not most moms. In today's do-it-yourself of the day, you'll see how to disable a toy's sound without disabling its electronics. Follow the jump for details.
BEEPKILLER:
What you'll need:
A really annoying electronic toy.
A long-tipped Phillips screwdriver.
Wirecutters or good quality scissors.
It takes just a few steps to disable the sound from a toy—but be cautioned. Although you can restore the sound, it's a bit more involved than cutting off the sound in the first place. So make sure you're prepared for the consequences of your action.
Open the back of the toy. Most toys, particularly those manufactured in the far east unscrew with a Phillips screwdriver. Make sure to use a screwdriver with a long head, because many toys "hide" their screws in long tunnels to keep them away from the kids.
Locate the speaker. Speakers are round. You can usually find them near a perforated section of the case (a shotgun area of small holes) to let the sound out.
Cut one of the speaker wires. (It doesn't really matter which wire you cut.)
Close the case Return all the screws to their original places and fasten them into place.
After finishing these steps, you'll have transformed your toy into a fully functioning—but blessedly mute—version.