Introduction: Create a Game Controller of Your Own With Makey Makey

By apprenderedigitando.wordpress.co
About: Teacher trainer on digital teaching skills. Since 2007 he has been teaching an indeterminate time in a secondary school in the province of Catania. Passionate about innovative methodologies, she recently deals…
Makey Makey Projects »

The user will learn how to build a controller games easily at home

Supplies

Makey Makey Classic, alligator Clips, cardboard, Tabs, Play-Doh, gummy candies, crown caps

Step 1: Build the Space, Send and Click Keys

  1. Draw and cut out of cardboard the the shape of your controller game. Use the material you like to decorate it. (Image 1)
  2. Create a d-pad with four crowns filled with Play-Doh to control each arrow key on the keyboard of your computer. Insert a metal spoon in place of the space bar simulate the mouse left click trough a pop -top (Image 2)

Educator Tip:

The teacher could suggest the pupils to fix the caps on the cardboard shape through some double-sided tape.

Step 2: Connect Your Controller Games

  1. Connect each crocodile clip to the Play-Doh shapes or to the metal parts (Image 1)
  2. Connect each crocodile clip (the arrow keys, the space bar and the mouse left click) to its input on the front of the Makey Makey. Be sure to match them properly. For example, connect the crocodile clip you created as an "UP arrow key" on the cardboard shape with te "UP arroy key" on Makey Makey (Image 2).

Educator Tip:

If the LEDs aren't working. Be sure that the crocodile clip is well connected to an input EARTH input and to hold a conductive object in your hand.

Step 3: Use the Grounding

  1. Connect a crocodile clip anywhere along the EARTH strip at the bottom of the Makey Makey (Image 1)
  2. There are many ways to ground, the easiest is to pinch a living being. Actually, just touching the metal part of the crocodile clip you can close the circuit. (Image 2, 3)

Step 4: Connect Makey Makey to Your Computer

  1. Connect the red USB cable to Makey Makey and to the computer. All the lights on the ARROWS KEY and around THE SPACE BAR and THE MOUSE LEFT CLICK will blink in green.
  2. Try using your controller now! Remember to hold down EARTH and then press Play-Doh to check if your controller is working.
  3. Have fun!


Step 5: Let's Try!

And now try using other materials for your controller game: marshmallows, miffin and some more.