Dance pads are used for dancing games such as Dance Dance Revolution. A harder pad can be built so a flimsy plastic one doesn't bunch under your feet as you dance. New dance pads cost hundreds of dollars, but you can make one for around $50.
Measure your old dance pad, or determine the size you would like your new pad to be. It can be much bigger than the old dance pad.
Materials you will need include a 36-inch-by-36-inch (or whichever size you want) wooden board, and a piece of Plexiglas the same size. You will need duct tape, screws, a drill, a screwdriver, aluminum foil, wire, foam from the old pad or new foam, solder, soldering iron and printed pad graphics, if desired.
If you're basing your new pad off an old one with wiring that hooks up to a game console, you will need to gut and salvage the old dance pad. Do this by salvaging the computer board and the wires--as well as the foam squares.
Keep track of the tracers on the dance board by taking a picture before you take it apart, or by making a drawing showing where the wires go and how the whole thing is put together.
Determine where you would like your dance buttons to go on the pad, or new board, and solder the wires to the proper connection points on the board, using your drawing or photograph as reference. After all the soldering is finished, lay squares of aluminum foil on the backs of the buttons and duct tape together.
With the foil part facing down on the board, position the buttons where you want them on the pad. Layer the foam squares on top of the buttons, and twist the wires to each button so it touches the foil. Duct tape it all down on the board.
Lay the graphic on top and cover with the sheet of Plexiglas. Drill pilot holes around the edges of the pad through the Plexiglas and wooden board, to avoid splintering the Plexiglas. Screw in the screws to finish your new dance pad.