Makey Makey and…micro:bit?

You might be wondering what I’m doing talking about Makey Makey and micro:bit on my Arcade blog! Well, both products are near and dear to my heart. Not only can they both be used to enhance your Microsoft MakeCode Arcade experience, but now they can be used TOGETHER!

What is Makey Makey?

The Makey Makey is an invention kit that lets you connect everyday objects to your computer and use them as a keyboard or mouse. Created by Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum at the MIT Media Lab, this tool is all about exploring, experimenting, and creating.

Essentially, the Makey Makey is a small circuit board that connects to your computer via USB. It has a bunch of holes where you can attach alligator clips. These clips can then be connected to anything that’s even a little bit conductive. That means objects like fruits, clay, or even a drawing made with a the graphite of a pencil can become part of your next invention!

When you touch the connected object, you close a circuit, and the Makey Makey sends a signal to the computer, just like when you press a key on your keyboard. This opens up a world of possibilities! You can play games, make music, or even create interactive art.

What is a micro:bit?

The micro:bit was designed by the BBC for computer education in the UK. It’s a small gadget that’s packed with cool features like buttons, an LED display, motion detection, a compass, and even Bluetooth to connect with other devices and the internet.

Using the micro:bit is like playing with digital Legos. You can program it to do all sorts of things. Want to make a smiley face appear? Or maybe you’d like to create a digital pet that you can feed and play with? How about a step counter to track your movement? All of these projects are simple and fun on the micro:bit.

The micro:bit can be programmed using an easy-to-learn language very similar to what you’ve seen with MakeCode Arcade, but it’s not just about coding. The micro:bit is a gateway to learning about electronics, robotics, and even solving real-world problems. It encourages you to think creatively and understand the technology that surrounds us every day.

Schools around the world are using micro:bits in their classrooms, but they’re also perfect for home projects. Whether you’re making a weather station, designing a game, or controlling a robot, the micro:bit makes learning tech skills exciting and accessible.

How can we use each of these with Arcade?

With a Makey Makey, you can control your games in MakeCode Arcade using…well, anything!

Imagine playing a game where you jump by tapping on a banana, or move by pressing on some clay shapes. With Makey Makey and MakeCode Arcade, you can do just that. Connect your Makey Makey to objects like fruits, playdough, or even drawings, and use them as your game controller.

This combo is not just about playing games; it’s about reimagining how games can be played!

Similarly, the micro:bit, with its buttons, sensors, and display, can be a fantastic game controller for your MakeCode Arcade creations.

You can program the micro:bit to control actions in your game or use it as a kind of game cartridge when you pair it with the Retro Programming Arcade from Elecfreaks.

How can we use all of these together?

There’s a cool new item that allows you to connect the Makey Makey to the micro:bit. It’s called the Code-a-Key Backpack.

The Code-a-Key Backpack is a clever little device that attaches to your Makey Makey and provides a connector for the micro:bit. This setup lets you control key presses on your Makey Makey projects with the micro:bit’s array of sensors. Imagine triggering actions in your game or invention using motion, temperature, light, or sound! The combination of Makey Makey’s physical interaction and micro:bit’s programmable features means your projects can be more interactive and dynamic than ever.

The Code-a-Key Backpack is compatible with various fun and educational projects, from creating a bouncy face controller to building a flashlight sensor piano. Plus, it works seamlessly with all the free web apps offered by Makey Makey, giving you endless options to explore and invent.

Whether you’re a budding coder, an aspiring inventor, or just love playing around with cool tech, the Code-a-Key Backpack is your ticket to a world where your wildest ideas can come to life. So grab your Makey Makey, your micro:bit, and let your imagination run wild with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade!