How can I create light up sidewalks michael jackson style easily and cheaply?

First, you should know that Michael Jackson’s floor was not automatic- there was a propman with a box full of switches. If you watch closely, you can see him light up one that wasn’t quite stepped on.

However, you could make it light up automatically. Make a grid of 2×6 timbers on the floor, cut out thick squares of plexiglass and mount them on top of some kind of pressure sensor. I would hesitate to rely on a switch, because if the square must dip more than a small fraction of an inch, you will have a ledge that your son could trip on.

This is a bit advanced, though. I’d like to suggest you come over to the Electronics_101 Yahoogroup and ask there for more detail.