What is Makey Makey?

Makey Makey is an inventive, beginner-friendly kit that transforms ordinary conductive objects into functioning computer inputs—like keys or mouse clicks—via a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable. To your computer, it simply behaves like a standard keyboard or mouse, opening up endless possibilities for creative interaction.

Developed by MIT Media Lab innovators Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum, Makey Makey is rooted in the concept of "invention literacy": the idea that the world around us is a customizable toolkit for creation and play.

How It Works

• Connect the Makey Makey board to your computer via USB.

• Attach one clip to the “Earth” grounding point, and others to conductive items—like fruits, foil, or even your body.

• Touch the object, and Makey Makey registers keyboard strokes or clicks, allowing interaction with any software that responds to standard input.

Classroom Usage Examples

1. Banana Piano
   Students connect bananas to Makey Makey and play music through Scratch or other apps—turning fruit into a playable instrument.
   
   

2. Interactive Word Problems Poster
   With conductive materials like copper tape and Scratch integration, students can build posters that respond when touched—reinforcing math skills through tactile interactivity.
   
   

3. Human Switch or Drum Machine
   Use people as part of the circuit—connect a clip to one person (ground) and another to an input; their high-five triggers a sound or action.
   
   

4. Makey Makey Musical Water
   Fill cups with varying water levels, assign different tones or sound clips, and let water act as a touch-sensitive interface for music or science explorations.
   
   

5. Physics Lab—Measuring Speed
   Construct simple circuits along a toy car ramp. As the car passes sections, Makey Makey can record time intervals—ideal for lessons on rate, distance, and velocity.
   
   

Why It’s Ideal for Educational Environments

• Accessible & Intuitive – Instantly works with zero setup or programming required, making it perfect for all learners. 

• Tactile and Playful – Encourages hands-on discovery using everyday items—from Play-Doh to pirates' coins. 

• Cross-Curricular Potential – Supports lessons across STEM, music, art, language arts, and more.

• Promotes Inventiveness – Inspires students to "see the world as their construction kit," fostering creative confidence.

• Robust Educator Resources – Includes lesson plans, group guides, and an active educator community for ideas and support. 

• Proven Educational Impact – Research shows improved engagement and concept retention when using tangible interfaces like Makey Makey. 

Resources

Makey Makey 101 - A Course for Absolute Beginners

Makey Makey How Tos and Lesson Resources: 

Plug & Play Makey Makey Apps

Scratch Coding Makey Makey Apps