microbit&NEOpixelDisplay

I want to setup a classroom Neopixel/RGB LED strip that kids can take turns coding the display. I want it to be simple and have as few parts as possible. I am looking at the strip of lights, the microbit and a wall wart/power adapter. I don't want to use batteries that need to be changed/recharged or an extension board (just another part and more cost).
(i made a video talking about my first attempt  www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtzM_9SVuiM )

I ordered two different 3V adapters (micro:bit can only take a 3V input) both about $7.
( www.amazon.com/dp/B07663HSRN  & www.amazon.com/dp/B00R5BT2O2 )
Though one is 250 mA and the other is 1 A and I think that will matter.
Because they are both barrel jack plugs, I had to also get a barrel jack to USB micro adapter (4 for $7 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4WJ485 )

I have a variety of Neopixel/RGB LED strips, so I am playing with two.
One is from Adafruit that has alligator clips on the ends (30 Neopixels / $15 www.adafruit.com/product/3812 ). The other is a string that look more like a Christmas strand (50 LEDs/$16 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AG923GI/ ). You can find all sorts of strips at any electronics seller...(1 meter/60 LED's $11 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CDTED80/ ). 

For many LED strips you will need jumper wires to connect to the microbit (or extension board). Those could be pin to socket or pin to alligator clip depending on the board.
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X7MKHN/ or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CDTED80/  )

To add up the cost
Neopixel/LED $15
microbit $17
power $7
plug adapter $1.75
total $41

It "works", but I think the 250 mA doesnt supply enough power because all the colors dont work and it is not as bright as when plugged into the computer USB. We will see what the 1 A plug does.

other troubleshooting ideas :
1) get 5 V directly to the LED's
2) use a 5V extension board for the microbit, like the KittenBit IOBit ​www.kittenbot.cc/collections/frontpage/products/kittenbot-iobit-v2-0-for-microbit ...which adds $7 cost 
It also means get a 5V wall wart or use the ever present phone chargers plugs.

We will see.


video talking about the first go