Scratch adventure game with DIY Star Bentmaker
Design a Scratch adventure game and build a simple DIY 'Star Bentmaker' cardboard controller with foil sensors, then test interactions to learn coding and electronics.
Step-by-step guide to Scratch adventure game with DIY Star Bentmaker
Step 1
Pick a fun adventure theme for your game (space rescue bent stars or jungle treasure)
Step 2
Write three short goals your player must reach to win (example: collect 3 stars)
Step 3
Open Scratch and create a new project
Step 4
Add or draw your player sprite that will move through the adventure
Step 5
Add code blocks so the player sprite moves when arrow keys are pressed
Step 6
Create a goal sprite and add code to increase a score when the player touches it
Step 7
Cut a rectangle of cardboard to make the controller base
Step 8
Cut small foil pads for each button you want on the controller
Step 9
Tape each foil pad flat onto the cardboard where you want your buttons
Step 10
Attach one end of an alligator clip wire to each foil pad
Step 11
Connect the other ends of those clips to the matching Makey Makey key inputs (arrow keys or space)
Step 12
Make a large foil grounding pad and tape it to the controller base
Step 13
Clip the Makey Makey ground alligator clip to the large foil grounding pad
Step 14
Plug the Makey Makey into the computer and test each foil button by touching the ground pad and pressing a foil pad to trigger the keys in Scratch
Step 15
Share your finished Scratch adventure game and your DIY Star Bentmaker controller on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find a Makey Makey or alligator clips?
If you can't find a Makey Makey or alligator clips, substitute a standard USB keyboard or a tablet with Scratch Link and use aluminum foil, conductive playdough, or conductive fabric pads taped to the cardboard base to trigger the arrow/space inputs.
Why doesn't my foil button trigger the player in Scratch and how do I fix it?
If a foil pad doesn't trigger the Scratch key, check that each alligator clip is clamped firmly to its foil pad, the Makey Makey ground clip is attached to the large grounding foil on the cardboard, and that you touch the ground pad while pressing a foil pad to register the arrow/space input.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children make larger foil buttons on the cardboard controller, simplify to one goal sprite like 'collect 1 star' and pre-build the arrow key movement blocks, while older kids can add three short goals, extra goal sprites, level scripts, and more complex scoring in Scratch.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize our Scratch adventure and controller?
Enhance the project by decorating the cardboard controller, drawing custom player and goal sprites, adding sound effects or a timer in your Scratch code, and swapping foil pads for painted conductive tape or fabric for a neater DIY Star Bentmaker.
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Facts about coding and basic electronics for kids
⥠Makey Makey (a popular inspiration for DIY controllers) can turn fruit, foil, or playdough into keyboard inputs using simple circuits.
⨠Aluminium foil is conductive and works great as a low-cost sensor surface in homemade controllers.
đ§ Capacitive sensing detects tiny changes in an electric field so a finger can act like a button without needing moving parts.
đŚ Cardboard is lightweight, easy to cut and recycle, and is a go-to material for quick prototyping and controllers.
đŽ Scratch lets kids snap colorful code blocks together to build games, stories, and animations without typing code.
How do I design the Scratch adventure game and build a DIY Star Bentmaker controller?
What materials do I need to build a Star Bentmaker and program the Scratch game?
What ages is this Scratch game and cardboard controller project suitable for?
What safety precautions should I follow when making a cardboard foil sensor controller?
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