MakeyMakey Designer Kit

MakeyMakey is a small circuit board that is connected to a computer via USB cable. The computer thinks that the circuit board is the actual keyboard! With alligator clips, students can attach various conductive objects to the circuit boards to design their own keyboards!

Normally, computer games and musical instruments are played using the standard keyboard. But with their very own MakeyMakey keyboards, just imagine the possibilities for students to design computer game controllers or musical instruments! MakeyMakeys have long been a student favorite for experiencing the engineering design process, learning about conductive and insulating materials, and as an introduction to circuitry.

The Basics

Educator’s Guide MakeyMakey Educator's Guide 
Overview MaKey MaKey - An Invention Kit for Everyone on Vimeo 
How-To Guide Simple Invention How-To Guides For Makey Makey 

Lesson Ideas

Resources for teaching Makey Makey At-Home, Hybrid Models, or Remote Learning 
Makey Makey - Games+ - Scratch Studio 
STEM Projects for Kids - Top 5 Labz Guides of 2018 
Academic Ways to Use the MaKey-MaKey in the Classroom | The Techie Teacher® 

Standards Connections

These resources can be used to support standards-based teaching and learning.  They are not intended to meet the full scope of any given standard.  Only some standards are highlighted; many more standards may be connected!  We encourage you to explore and to let us know if you have any questions!

Computer Science Computing systems - Multiple standards across multiple grade levels
Computer Science Algorithms & Programming - Multiple standards across multiple grade levels
Computer Science Data & Analysis - Multiple standards across multiple grade levels
Computer Science Impacts of Computing - Multiple standards across multiple grade levels
NGSS 4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

Related SPA Tool/Kits

Laptop (Contact us to borrow some!)

Related SPA Document Resources / Videos

Design a Game using Makey Makey and Scratch 
  • 1 Makey Makey Board
  • 1 USB Cable
  • 7 Alligator Clips
  • 6 White Wires
  • 1 Instructions and Visual Project Start Guide