Data Sheet

8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com
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Looking for some fun games to test out the Makey Makey? Click on the link below to try out the online apps
provided by JoyLabz!
ONLINE APPS FOR MAKEY MAKEY
Making Your First Key
Makey Makey Key-Making Materials
To make your "standard" key with the Makey Makey you need the following:
A connection to a Makey Makey input. This can be done using alligator clips on the the hole pairs, or
jumper wires on the black connector sockets.
Connection to a Makey Makey ground (Earth). Again, you'll connect to earth using either alligator clips or
jumper wires.
Some sort of key material. This is the fun/creative part! There's a world of Makey Makey keys out there.
Anything that's even slightly conductive is just waiting to become a computer input. The classics include
your fingers, bananas and pencil scratchings.
Something to activate the key by connecting between the key material and the ground input. Your fingers
work pretty well for this. Anything even slightly conductive will do, though.
Making a Key
Activating a key means creating a closed circuit. For the circuit to work, electrons have to be able to flow from the
Makey Makey input key to Makey Makey's ground. Usually your fingers will be the missing link between those two:
Image courtesy of JoyLabz
Let's try making a bona fide Makey Makey key. First, you'll need to find some sort of key object. Dig around your
house, check your fruit basket or coin purse, or grab a pencil and make a drawing to try it out.
Pick out your favorite-colored alligator clip cable, open one of the jaws, and snap it down onto your key. Clip the
other end of the clip into one of the Makey Makey top-side inputs. SPACE is great for testing purposes, so we will
start with that key pad: