Hacktivities
Using upcycled e-waste instruments, amplified objects and our own unique inventions to catch people’s attention.
People walking past might just have time to interact by plucking a distorted rubber band which is offered to them without saying a word. It takes 2 seconds.
‘TWAAANGGG!!!’ yes, it sounds surprisingly good, so maybe they now find that they have time to try a quick Nose Test? It takes less than a minute…
Our popular drop-in activities are suitable for festivals, events, public spaces, promotion, family days, parties or any event where people come and go. Our facilitators are specialists at engaging all kinds of people in a non-pressured, informal way that allows all ages to enjoy taking part.
The activities can take less than 10 seconds, or be extended into workshop activities for 20 minutes.
We enable experiences which participants will remember, and which will make them want to learn more. Inspiring the spark of curiosity and wonder is the priority here; we may also explain how things work, but that is secondary to the experience.
| Activity | Type | Format | Description |
| Nose Testing | Roaming / mobile static whilst engaging | Audio Assault Buggy 1 performer | Perfect engagement activity for all ages & family groups. |
| Noisy Walkabout | Roaming/ Walkabout | 1-4 performers wearable amplification | Amplified objects & hacked e-waste instruments to play |
| Bass Buzz & Oobleck | Static; Participation & demonstrations | 1 performer, mains power, demo table | Feel 1000 watts of bass, see dancing oobleck |
| Cymatics | Static; Participation & demonstrations | 1 performer, powered or unpowered demonstrations | Beautiful patterns made by sound vibrations |
| Scavengers | static, tabletop battery-powered | drop-in workshop activities | circuits and noise machines with e-waste |
Dare you try the infamous…
Noisy Toys Nose Test?
We also test spoons of various materials, carrots, dogs and anything else that may or may not conduct electricity to produce a funny squeak, a guaranteed smile and a highly coveted ‘Nose Tested’ stamp.
Check out some classic noses on our Nose Test page.
Quick hands-on activities and participatory experiments (science busking). 1 – 10 minutes
Ground level demonstrations & shows with participatory elements. 5 – 30 minutes
Flexible Making & Tinkering activities where people want to build, dismantle or experiment. 10-30 minutes
Scavengers workshop drop-in
Tinkering & Making
What’s in the boxes? Just a load of junk! We can connect up e-waste and create noisy contraptions such as the ‘Robot Chicken’.
Drop-in version of Scavengers workshops
‘The experimenting with sounds and noises was mesmerising to the young people and was stretching their minds with technical invention. If any art form is designed to get young people thinking outside the box then this one will.’
Deborah Curtis
The House of Fairy Tales
“Noisy Toys were fantastic, easy to work with and very professional. They helped launch Manchester Science Festival [2022] and created a brilliant spectacle which adults and children alike all loved.”
Claire Critchley, Learning Producer,
Science & Industry Museum, Manchester
Audio Assault Buggy
Find out more about the Audio Assault Buggy here.
Bass Buzz & Oobleck
Excitingly dangerous participatory demonstrations.
Oobleck is the dancing alien conrflour goop thing.
Dare you try the infamous Bass Buzz? Feel 1000 watts of bass power through your fingertips, see clouds of flour shoot into the air, duck from eruptions of lentils (or sometimes mung beans), marvel at water-based Cymatics, re-create a laser-blaster shoot out with an amplified slinky, shriek in utter horror at the bizarre life-forms animated with corn flour and powerful bass vibrations, as the Goop Test brings forth wee beasties that dance and metamorphose at the sound of the BASS….
These activities are a cross-over between a drop-in and a show. If you are looking for a short activity that people can try out in a few minutes and then stay to watch the demonstrations if they want to, then the Bass Buzz is perfect for your event.
