magnetic wand experiment

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10 Fantastic Magnet Experiments for Kids

July 14, 2015 By Emma Vanstone 7 Comments

Our magnet wands are one of our most used pieces of science kit and are perfect for all kinds of magnet experiments and investigations. When my children were little, they wandered around the house “testing” things to see if they were magnetic, and then we went through a phase of magnet-powered cars , boats and anything else we could make move.

Magnets are great for experiments and investigative activities as children can feel the force between them but can’t see it, which can feel almost magical!

If you like these, don’t forget we’ve got 100s more free science experiments and activities to try.

Magnet Experiments for Preschoolers

Magnet maze.

Magnet mazes are fantastic as they are super easy to make and can be themed to the child’s interest. We’ve had lots of fun with mini magnet mazes over the years, but there’s nothing to stop you from making a giant version!

LEGO magnet mazes are great fun too!

Crazy Pipe Cleaner Hair

Draw a head of a person and give them a new hairstyle using a magnet wand and some pipe cleaners.

Magnet Scavenger Hunt

We love this magnetic scavenger hunt from Inspiration Laboratories.

Another idea is to hide magnetic items and add clues or codes for children to break, leading them to the next thing.

Magnet Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are great fun for little ones, and these magnet sensory bottles are extra special. Move the magnet wand up and down, and the objects that are attracted to the magnet also move up and down!

How strong is a magnet?

Find out how strong your magnet is using felt squares. Investigate how many felt squares it takes to stop two magnet wands from being attracted to each other.

Another idea is to set up an investigation using different types of magnets and materials.

Ice and Magnet Experiments

This ice and magnet activity from Little Bins for Little Hands looks great fun.

Car Track Magnet Game

This car track magnet game is brilliant fun for young children. Print the track and cut out the cars to make it super easy, or draw your own track.

Find a story to recreate

We recently watched an episode of The Clangers where the Iron Chicken gets trapped in a pile of space rubbish. Straight away, my little girls disappeared to recreate the scene with our magnets and a stash of toys.

They created a magnet fishing rod using a stick and some string. Used plastic toys for space rubbish and made an ‘Iron chicken’ using kitchen foil with a magnet inside. It wasn’t entirely accurate to the story, but they did very well with the resources they had.

During the episode, Small and Tiny first use nets to clear the space junk to free the Iron Chicken, but their nets break. We used the opportunity to discuss materials that might have strengthened the nets. Major Clanger then uses a magnet to collect the space rubbish. The girls predicted correctly that the space rubbish would weigh down the flying music boat!

Magnet Experiments for Older Children

This magnetic slime and electromagnetic train Frugal Fun for Boys looks AMAZING!!

Extract iron from breakfast cereal . Remember to be very careful using strong magnets.

Babble Dabble Do has some incredible magnet tricks that are like magic!

Did you know you can use magnets to defy gravity ? Can you see how the cardboard and paperclip seem to be floating?

If you’re looking for a great magnet set, this one from Learning Resources is our absolute favourite!

Can you think of any more magnet experiments for us?

Last Updated on October 17, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

July 15, 2015 at 9:22 am

Great set of ideas for magnetism – do you have any recommendations of where to get good magnets for kids from that allow open-ended exploration?

July 18, 2015 at 10:43 am

Wow! I just discovered your site…so much great science stuff! My 3yo says that he is a science kid (like Sid!) so thank you for all of the great ideas even for the little ones!

July 23, 2015 at 6:17 am

I read your tips to learning about magnetism is very helpful to connect two magnetism each other Also read your baby picture made so cute in television

October 29, 2015 at 2:10 am

😀 that idea of moving picture is nice. Amazing article. Enjoyed reading.

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Babble Dabble Do

4 Easy Magnet Experiments That Will Amaze Your Kids

January 30, 2015 by Ana Dziengel 16 Comments

This super simple set up yields 4 easy magnet experiments that kids will absolutely love! And it just so happens these project are a great tie into Valentine’s Day though honestly they are fun any time of year! So what does magnet science have to do with Valentine’s Day? Well….

This project was originally part of the sensory series Playful Hearts: Valentine’s Inspired Play & Learning. For more projects in the series scroll to the end of the post.

Have you ever noticed that some of the common sayings people use to describe love and attraction are based on the scientific phenomenon of magnetism? Here are some examples:  They had a magnetic attraction.  He exudes animal magnetism.  They are polar opposites.  I was drawn to her.  She has a magnetic personality.

It makes sense that love and magnetism are synonymous. Love is that indescribable feeling you get with certain people that makes you feel all warm and gushy. In the case of romantic love perhaps it makes your heart race, your palms sweat and you can’t help but feel its strong force.

Magnets have a similar effect. Magnets are objects that exude a strong force field around them that causes them to attract ferromagnetic materials and other magnets themselves. Strong magnets are drawn immediately together when placed in close proximity. And did I mention that this magnetic field is invisible, just like love? You can’t see it but you can certain feel it, and it’s a fun sensory experience for kids to try and “touch” an invisible force. For our post today we made a simple pyramid structure that will give you the chance to explore the invisible and strong attractive force called magnetism.

This post contains affiliate links to products I recommend to my readers.

Magnet Magic: Easy Magnet Experiments

Tips before starting: .

• One of the ways we have fine tuned this project over the years is to substitute modeling clay for the loom bands. It’s MUCH easier for kids to put together on their own.
• We also made our own wands with a pencil and ceramic disc magnet hot glued to the end.
• Ceramic Donut Magnet
• 12″ Bamboo Skewers
• Rectangular Ceramic Magnets
• Magnetic Wands  OR use a pencil with a ceramic disc magnet hot glued to the end
• Small rubber bands (loom bands )  OR Substitute modeling clay or play dough!
• String or yarn

Instructions

• Step One Cut a piece of string about 8” long and thread through a donut magnet. Tie tightly.
• Step Two Connect the ends of two skewers by overlapping them and wrapping a loom band around the joint.
• Step Three Repeat Step Two to connect a third skewer and form a triangle base.
• Step Four Connect two additional skewers first to each other and then to the base to form one side of a pyramid. Before forming a full pyramid with the last skewer wrap the top connection with the loose end of your string. The goal is to have the donut magnet hang from the center point of the skewer pyramid. You want it to hang about 1 ½” from the base
• Step Five Add your last skewer to complete the pyramid shape. Wrap the joint tightly with a loom band.

The Modeling Clay Version:

To make the clay version:.

• Give each child (2) strips of modeling clay. Ask them to tear each strip in half and the roll the halves in a clay sphere. They will need (4) spheres in total.
• Construct the triangular base with a clay sphere at each joint.
• Once the base is complete, add a skewer to the top of each sphere and collect at the center point to form a pyramid. Use the last clay sphere to connect the top three skewers.
• The magnet on a string may be pressed into the top clay sphere to hold in place at the desired height.

The Easy Magnet Experiments

This little DIY pyramid structure can be used to make several different observations about magnets. I loosely divided them into 4 mini experiments you can first watch in this video and then read about below.

Easy Magnet Experiment #1: Follow That Force

Can you move something without even touching it? Magnetic force is very strong when magnets are placed in close proximity to each other. To see just how strong it is try this: Take two rectangular magnets and place them under the center point of the hanging donut magnet. Gently slide the rectangular magnets around and watch as your donut magnet follows the magnetic force. Twists and turn the donut magnet by twisting and turning the rectangular magnets beneath. Seemingly defy gravity by suspending your donut magnet at an angle!

Easy Magnet Experiment #2:   The Indecisive Magnet

Magnets have a north and a south pole. This means that one end of a magnet attracts and the other side repels if placed next to another magnet. This is a fun observation to make with magnets of any kind. To see how this repelling and attracting can drive a magnet crazy try this: Place one ceramic magnet under the center point of each bottom chord of your triangle base. Now gently lift your donut magnet and let it swing. It will bounce back and forth between the three magnets’ fields as it encounters the different polarities. It will look like a wildly indecisive magnet that has no idea where to go! Move the rectangular magnets around to see what happens to the center magnet and how it swings based on its proximity to the different magnetic fields.

Easy Magnet Experiment #3: An Invisible Dance Partner

This is my favorite experiment. Let the donut magnet rest as still as possible at the center of the pyramid. Now take a magnetic wand (or a strong magnet) and begin gently waving it near the donut magnet (don’t get too close or the magnets will stick together). Watch as the donut magnet begins to sway and twirl. You can really make that donut magnet shake it’s groove thing simply by moving your wand nearby! Because our donut magnet is suspended by a string it amplifies the twirling action. And for any doubters who think that the slight breeze generated by waving your hands is causing the magnet to dance, try waving your hand nearby without the wand. The donut stays put.

Easy Magnet Experiment #4: The Jitters

Place two rectangular magnets underneath the donut magnet. Gently pull on the donut magnet to release it from the magnetic field then let it drop and swing over the rectangular magnets. It will quickly be caught right back in the magnetic field and move quickly back and forth in a jitterbug dance.

Leon Theremin .  How many of you know and are fascinated by the musical instrument known as the Theremin? If you don’t know what I am talking about please go watch this video RIGHT NOW  of the most well know Theremin performer Clara Rockmore.

The Theremin is the only musical instrument that is played without physical contact. It was invented in the 1920s by Leon Theremin and is based on the phenomenon that interrupting an electromagnetic field can produce audible frequency changes. Essentially the Theremin has two antennae that broadcast a signal to each other and when you wave your hands between the antennae you interrupt the magnet field between them causing the signal to change. Here is a great little video demonstrating it .

Leon Theremin was a Russian scientist who discovered this phenomenon when working on proximity sensors for the Russian government. He went on to patent this electronic musical instrument and it’s eerie sound can be found in many a sci-fi movie soundtrack from the 1950’s. Though it became associated with campy film soundtracks in the 1950’s it was actually used in some classic films like Spellbound and The Lost Weekend and is most famous in popular music in the song Good Vibrations from the Beach Boys.

Magnets are one of my favorite materials to work with and these easy magnet e xperiments are simple to set up and kids  love to watch them in action! Magnetic attraction is seemingly magical and I haven’t met someone yet who isn’t momentarily mesmerized by it’s power and behavior, just like love.

Ready for more Valentines Inspired sensory fun?

Check out my fellow bloggers posts related to sensory play and discovery for Valentines Day:

The impossibly sweet  Hanging Hearts Creative Threading Activity  from Childhood 101.

An awesomely touchy feely Textured Heart Sensory Bin from Toddler Approved 

A smart Valentine’s Math Station from NutureStore.

Spread Creativity like Wildfire: Pin this!

Meri cherry says

January 30, 2015 at 7:37 am

That video is AWESOME Ana!!!!!Cant wait to share it!

Ana Dziengel says

February 4, 2015 at 4:11 am

Love you mama!

March 9, 2016 at 11:40 am

Love you too! <3

Sonya Shulga says

October 12, 2016 at 7:55 pm

That’s cool i am going to do that for the science fair!

January 30, 2015 at 11:22 am

Ev loves the video!

Jeanette Nyberg says

January 31, 2015 at 6:20 am

Awesome! I love the magnets and love tie-in. And the video is amazing! It brings the whole thing to life and makes me want to run home and set this up. I *think* we have the magnets and skewers, but this is totally worth a trip to the store.

Thank you so much Jeanette!

February 10, 2015 at 2:25 pm

Very cool, Ana

August 10, 2015 at 10:08 am

I would like to do the same magnetic experiment with my little students. But, I failed. Would you mind give me some hints? Or advice me the dimension of the rectangular magnet and donut magnet?

September 8, 2016 at 11:21 am

I work for a hands-on exploring museum in MN, and I was scrambling for an alternative project. The one I had planned on using just wasn’t as fun, easy or amazing as I had hoped. Then I found your post!

We already had all the materials on hand, so I jumped in and had a camp full of kids try this. I was a little anxious, since a lot of the campers were upper elementary aged, and I worried they might be “too old” for a magnet game.

I let each camper choose if they would make the pyramid out skewers (like your example), regular plastic straws (colorful of course!) or giant bubble-tea straws. Then each figured out how to hang their magnet from the peak using string, and how they would like to attach or control the side magnets.

I was so pleased that everyone had fun designing and building this project, and then playing with it! (*Playing with something just created is always the test for how awesome it was!)

Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous idea! I love your blog and suggest it to everyone who asks for ideas. You are the BEST!

September 8, 2016 at 12:09 pm

Oh Sonia I am so happy to hear this!!! Woo hoo! Do you have pics? I’d love to see some of the camper’s work! Thank you so much for the kind words 🙂

October 12, 2016 at 7:58 pm

That’s cool i am doing that for the science fair at my school with my friend Alexa

October 12, 2016 at 7:59 pm

Its so FUN!!!!!!!!

November 26, 2016 at 8:54 pm

I’m surely gonna chose this as my science experiment. It’s really good!

December 9, 2016 at 5:39 am

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40 Fun Magnet Experiments and Play Ideas

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FUN Magnet Science Experiments and Activities

Magnetic Marble Mazes : For this activity you need magnet wands and magnetic marbles , plus my printable mazes !

Animal Magnet Face Drawings : These are reminiscent of the old funny face magnet toy I had as a kid. It’s fun & easy to make, plus kids love it!

The Magnet Bell Game : We used our magnet wands for this one, too, as well as some small colored bells . This does NOT have to be a Christmas game. 🙂

This Cow Magnet in a Bottle Experiment was loads of fun! My kids LOVED this magnet experiment.

Stacking Levitating Magnets : this magnet experiment uses  ring magnets , a wooden skewer and play dough.

Milk Cap Magnet Boats : Save your milk and bottle caps for this playful magnet experiment in water.

This  Magnet Pendulum : another great use for the magnet wands! This experiment tests to see which direction the wand swings when you move the magnets around. The magnetic force makes the wand swing in different patterns. It’s so fun to watch and to play with! Watch it in action:

Magnet Science Fun for Kids – The magnet bottle experiment is an easy one to put together with things you may already have in your house You just need an empty plastic bottle, pipe cleaners, and a strong magnet that will attract the pipe cleaners. The attractive force of the magnet will pick up the pipe cleaners through the bottle!

Simple Machines Gear & Magnet Play for Kids : Use magnets to attach gears to a white board.

My kids like to collect small household objects and see which ones stick to the magnets.  You could chart them in two columns.

You can have them try to put the same poles of the magnets together and see what happens.  Then try with opposite poles- what’s the difference? Teach them the terms repel & attract.

See if they can make them move things with magnets. There is a fun experiment to get cars moving with magnets on this website.

Here are directions to make your own compass out of a magnet.

More Awesome Magnet Teaching and Play Ideas:

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

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New follower from the Friday Blog Hop! 🙂 Jen @ My Secret Home

Thanks for linking up to the NOBH:). My kids love magnets too. Going to check out the site on making your own compass my 2 would love that:)

Magnets are alot of fun and love your ideas! Thanks for linking up to NOBH! Happy Mother’s Day!

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Magnet Experiments

Try these 7 fun magnet experiments with your Pre-K and Preschool children!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Magnet Sorting Mat

Children use a magnet wand to test a variety of objects to see if they are magnetic or non-magnetic. They classify the objects onto the spaces on this magnet sorting mat.

Download: Magnet Sorting Mat

DIY Magnet Tubes

This idea for magnet tubes is a great DIY project for your science center.

I like to plunder through craft stores and hardware stores looking for things I can use at school. When I came across these coin collector tubes at Hobby Lobby one day, I immediately knew I could use these for something, and thought about making magnet tubes.

I bought the tubes that are made for a stack of quarters. I collected magnetic objects and non-magnetic objects to put inside, and the lids just screw on. I haven’t had a problem with kids taking the lids off, but if that’s a concern, you could glue the lids shut, or add tape around them. Children first make their predictions: which items will be magnetic and which items will not be magnetic? Then they use a magnet wand to “test” the bottles, and compare the results to their predictions. This Magnet Sorting Mat could be used with this activity, or you can label two baskets “magnetic” and “not-magnetic” for sorting the tubes.

From left to right, these are the objects in the bottles as pictured:

• magnetic bingo chips
• mini jingle bells
• stack of disk magnets
• thumb tacks
• paper clips
• wooden hearts (craft supplies)
• iron filings
• plastic beads
• pencil eraser

Since the lids can be screwed on and off, you could change out the items in the bottles. A few ideas for other items:

• buttons (metal or plastic)
• rubber bands

Magnets in the Science Center

In the science center, I added a collection of magnet wands , horseshoe magnets, and things that are magnetic, such as paper clips, magnetic marbles, boxes filled with iron filings, and magnet tubes (shown above).

Hanging Magnets

I used a pocket chart stand to suspend two magnets by tying them to the bar with yarn: a horseshoe magnet and a magnet wand. At the time this photo was taken, my class was infatuated with making spiral snakes which they hung all over the classroom — those are the colorful pieces hanging from the top bar, but these are not necessary for magnet experiments :).

There are two ways to use the hanging magnets:

• Children can attach paper clips or magnet balls to the hanging magnets, and see how many clips or balls will attach to the magnet without falling.
• Children can use a second magnet wand and slowly move it closer to the hanging magnet to see how far they must get before the hanging magnet “jumps” to the magnet in their hand.

Magnet Marble Painting

With this activity, kids can use magnets to paint!

For magnet marble painting, you need:

• Magnetic marbles (from an educational supply company)
• Magnet wands (purchase in fabric store)
• Tempera paint
• Heavy duty white paper plates (not plastic or foam) — e.g. Chinet
• Small paint bowls

Squirt tempera paint into each bowl and drop in a few magnetic marbles. It helps to place the same color marble into the same color of paint (green marble into green paint) so the children are less likely to mix up the paint colors. Children place a marble on top of their plate, then move their magnet wand below the plate to move the marble. The magnetic marble paints the plate! These make a nice abstract painting, which are nice to display in the classroom.

Magnets in the Sensory Table

To add a magnet activity to the sensory table, fill the table with rice. Mix in some non-magnetic plastic beads (such as colorful pony beads), magnetic marbles, and colored metal paper clips. Include a magnet wand for each child. Children explore with the magnets in the sensory table, discovering which items are magnetic and which are not, and using the magnet wands to find buried magnetic treasure. They can also see how many paper clips and magnetic marbles they can attach to the wands before they fall. (Note: These items could be a choking hazard for very young children.)

Where to find these items:

Pony Beads : Can be found in craft stores.

Magnetic Marbles : Can be purchased from school supply stores.

Magnet Wands : Can be found in fabric shops.

How Far Will a Magnet Jump?

Here’s an interesting science activity to see how far something magnetic will “jump” as you put a magnet closer to it.

For this magnet activity, I first placed a long piece of masking tape on the table. The red dot drawn on the tape signified the starting point. The magnetic objects all begin at the red dot.

We collected some objects that we knew were magnetic (by the time we did this activity, the children knew what was and wasn’t magnetic). We used: paper clips, magnetic marbles, jingle bells. The magnet wand was placed on the tape, and slowly pushed along the tape towards the magnetic object.

At the point where the object “jumped” to reach the wand, a child marked the spot on the tape with a marker. We tried several different objects to see which ones would jump the farthest distance and which the closest.

The magnet marbles jumped the farthest, but for the paper clip and jingle bell, the magnet had to be very close for them to move. Stronger magnets would probably make this a better activity. I have seen some “super strong” magnets in an educational catalog, and that’s probably what we need.

Magnet Experiments for Kids

Did you know that one of the great inspirations for Albert Einstein’s curiosity as a child was his discovery of the magnetic forces that control a compass? Today we want to embrace our own passion for learning and discovery, and foster that all important curiosity, as we explore magnet experiments and science.

Magnet Science for Kids

What you will discover in this article!

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Why did the magnet go to school?

Because it wanted to attract some knowledge!

What is Magnetism? What are Magnets?

Magnets are really cool objects that have a special power called magnetism. It allows them to stick to certain things and even make things move without touching them!

A magnet is usually made of a material called iron. Iron has special properties that make it magnetic. A magnet has two ends called poles. One end is called the North pole, and the other is called the South pole… just like the Earth !

When you bring two magnets close together, something interesting happens. If you try to put the North pole of one magnet close to the North pole of another magnet, they push each other away. Another way to say this is that they repel each other, known as repulsion. But if you put the North pole of one magnet close to the South pole of another magnet, they pull towards each other and stick together, this is called attraction.

Magnets can also stick to certain things like metal objects. This is because there are tiny invisible things called electrons inside those objects. When a magnet gets close to a metal object, it can make the electrons inside the object move a little bit. This makes the metal object act like a magnet allowing them to attract.

You can find magnets in lots of places. You might have magnets on your fridge that hold up your artwork or pictures. Magnets are also used in some toys. Our favourite magnet toy is Magna Tiles !

Quick Fun Magnet Game:  Grab a magnet wand and have your kids run around home or the classroom and look for magnetic items. How many different objects can they find that have magnetic properties?

Magnets are special objects that can stick to certain things, attract and repel each other, and even make things move. They’re like a magical force that can do some really cool things!

What is Earth’s Magnetic Field?

Did you know Earth is a big magnet? Just like a regular magnet, Earth also has a magnetic field. This magnetic force is invisible, but it’s all around us. Think of it like a big bubble that covers Earth. It stretches from deep inside our planet and goes all the way up into space.

You know how magnets have a north pole and a south pole? Well, Earth’s magnetic field is just like that. It has a north pole and a south pole too.

The magnetic field is important because it protects us from some harmful things in space. The Sun sends out lots of things called solar winds, which are like a stream of particles. These solar winds carry electrically charged particles called cosmic radiation, and if they reached Earth’s surface, they could be dangerous. You can see incredible displays of our protective bubble at work when you look at the Northern Lights .

Thanks to the magnetic field, it acts like a shield and stops most of these particles from coming down to Earth. It keeps us safe by diverting those particles around our planet. It’s like wearing a strong armor that protects us from harm.

Not only does the magnetic field protect us, but it also helps animals like birds and turtles find their way during long journeys. Some of them have a special ability to sense the magnetic field, kind of like having a built-in compass.

Magnet Lesson Vocabulary Review

Magnet: A magnet is an object that has the ability to attract and repel. It has two ends called the north pole and the south pole. When two magnets come close together, opposite poles attract each other, while similar poles repel each other. Magnets can be either natural, like lodestone, or man-made, like the magnets on your refrigerator.

North Pole/South Pole : The ends of a magnet. Like attracts like, while opposites repel.

Magnetic: The definition of “magnetic” is something that has the properties or characteristics of a magnet. It can describe objects or materials that are capable of being attracted to or influenced by magnets. Magnetic materials, such as iron have the ability to be magnetized or interact with magnetic fields. Additionally, “magnetic” can be used to describe the behavior or effects associated with magnetism, such as magnetic forces or fields.

Attraction:  When magnets attract, they want to stick together. Magnetic attraction is when like fields are brought together. 

Repulsion:  When magnets repel, they push each other away. This occurs when opposite fields, or different polarities, are brought close together.

Magnet Experiments

So now we have learned about magnets, let’s explore magnetism in science and do some experiments and projects. These are always great fun and students always find experiments with magnets really exciting. We love a project that gets kids excited to learn!

WARNING: Magnets are very dangerous if swallowed. Never, ever place magnets in your mouth, and don’t allow any young children to use magnets that can not do so safely. Small magnets in particular are very dangerous and easy to swallow. Strong magnets can also pinch fingers as they can attract strongly and suddenly. Always use caution and adult supervision.

Magnetic compass

Channel your inner Einstein and learn how to make a simple magnetic compass . This is a fun way to explore the magnetic forces by making your own compass.

Wingardium Leviosa

Is your kid waiting for their owl? Why not start with a charms class now and practice Wingardium Leviosa with this experiment that plays with paper clips and magnetic forces.

Flying Ghosts is a spooky twist on the Wingardium Leviosa experiment.

Jitter Bugs

This is a wonderful project that allows students to really play with magnetic forces as they try to get perpetual motion as their bugs jitter and dance around thanks to magnet science! It is also a wonderful STEM project where students can build their STEM mastery in Engineering and Math.

We love our lady bugs so much, we also decided to make a Spider magnetic science STEM Project , with the spider that dances and swings on a web.

Make It Move

This is a fun challenge for kids called Make it Move, that includes a magnetism component . The goal is to figure out how to move toy cars down a track without touching them. One option is to use magnets!

Electromagnetic Crane

For your more advanced students, including middle grade and high school students, challenge them to take magnetism to the next level with electromagnetic circuits. Then turn it into an incredible Electromagnet Crane Project .

Magnetic Painting

Another idea like Make it Move is to put little pile of paint (do a few piles of different colours for extra fun!) on a paper plate or sheet of cardstock. Then place a magnet on top of the plate between the paint. Using a magnet wand, move the top magnet through the paint to create a special piece of art. Another version is magnet marble painting .

Troll Bogey’s Magnetic Slime

We love to have fun with our science around here, and in this project we couldn’t make a normal magnetic slime, nope, we turned ours into a Harry Potter inspired project with Troll Bogey magnetic slime ! So grossly awesome!

Simple Magnet Experiment

One of the best ways to learn about magnets is to explore with them! We mentioned earlier a great game where you give kids a magnet wand and send them around to find all the things they can that are magnetic.

Another simple project is to gather some metal filings and place them in a bottle. Using a magnet or magnet wand, drag it around the outside of the bottle and see what happens to the filings. Now what happens if you try using two magnets? For an extra twist try adding some water to the bottle and see what happens when you put the magnet on the outside of the bottle. If you have a magnet that fits inside a straw, try sliding the magnet into the straw then into the bottle. What happens?

More magnet activity ideas from some of our STEM friends!

Build an Electromagnet – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnetic Magic – Spinning Pen – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnetic Train – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnet Maze – Pacman Game – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnet Pendulum – Teach Beside Me

Bouncing Magnets – Babble Dabble Do

Magnetic Sculptures – Babble Dabble Do

Heavy Metal Art with magnets and iron filings – Babble Dabble Do

Looking for More Easy Science Experiments?

Top 20 Magnet Science Experiments

Welcome to our list of the most interesting magnetic science experiments, specially curated to electrify the curiosity of future physicists!

Magnets offer a tangible and captivating way to explore the principles of physics.

Our diverse selection of the top magnet science experiments caters to learners of all ages, and these hands-on, educational activities promise not only to enhance your understanding of magnetism but also to spark a lifelong fascination with physics.

So, grab your magnets and join us on this thrilling journey of magnetic exploration!

1. Levitron

Imagine a world where objects levitate and spin with mesmerizing grace. With this hands-on experiment, you’ll learn how to create your very own Levitron from scratch, harnessing the power of magnetism to make the impossible possible.

2. Icy Magnets

Don’t miss out on the chance to unleash your scientific curiosity and witness the awe-inspiring fusion of ice and magnetism! Grab your gloves, embrace the chill, and join us on this frosty expedition of icy magnets.

Learn more: Icy Magnets

3. Is it Magnetic or Not-Magnetic Experiment

Prepare to unravel the mysteries of magnetism with the captivating experiment, “Is It Magnetic or Not Magnetic?” Embark on a journey where you’ll test the magnetic properties of various objects, challenging your scientific instincts.

4. Magnetic Treasure Hunt

This hands-on experiment will not only ignite your sense of exploration but also deepen your understanding of magnetic fields and their effects. Join us as we combine the thrill of a scavenger hunt with the wonders of magnetism.

Learn more: Magnetic Treasure Hunt

5. Spinning Pen

Imagine the thrill of defying gravity as you witness a humble pen transform into a gravity-defying acrobat, twirling and spinning in mid-air. This hands-on adventure will not only ignite your passion for science but also unlock endless possibilities.

6. Magnetic Pendulum

Science meets art, where a simple pendulum becomes an extraordinary conductor of magnetic forces.

7. Magnetic Levitation

Feel the exhilaration as you control the magnetic forces and guide your pencil through the air. It’s a mind-bending experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eager to explore the wonders of magnetism.

Learn more: Magnetic Levitation

8. Magnetic Slime

Get ready to unleash the ultimate magnetic gooeyness with our magnetic slime experiment! Whether you’re a budding scientist or just a slime enthusiast, this magnetic slime experiment will leave you magnetized with excitement and wonder.

9. DIY Magnetic Sensory Bottles

Dive into the magical realm of DIY Magnetic Sensory Bottles and let your curiosity flow. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create your own magnetic masterpiece and unlock scientific marvels!

10. Magnet Maze

As you navigate the maze, you’ll witness the captivating interactions between magnets and magnetic objects, unraveling the secrets of magnetism along the way. So, gather your wits, embrace the challenge, and join us on this thrilling journey through the Magnet Maze.

11. Magnet Powered Car

This hands-on adventure will ignite your curiosity and fuel your understanding of magnetic forces. Discover the principles of magnetism in action as you witness the thrilling movement of your very own magnet-powered vehicle.

12. Make a Compass

By constructing your own compass using a magnet, you will gain invaluable insight into the principles of magnetism and its role in navigation. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to engage in a timeless experiment and navigate the path to scientific knowledge with your very own compass creation.

Learn more: Make a Compass

13. DIY Magnetic Water

This hands-on experiment not only deepens your understanding of magnetic forces but also offers a unique opportunity to explore the potential benefits of magnetized water.

14. Magnet Trampoline

Engage in this extraordinary exploration to unlock the secrets of magnetism while experiencing the sheer joy of defying gravity. Embrace the challenge, and let the magnetic trampoline launch you into a world of scientific wonder.

Learn more: Magnet Trampoline

15. Magic Pipe Cleaners

Prepare to witness the captivating powers of magnetism as you explore the extraordinary ability to lift objects using a magnet and a clear canister.

16. Make an Electromagnet

In this hands-on experiment, you will unravel the intricate relationship between electric currents and magnetic fields, witnessing the transformative power of electromagnetism.

Learn more: Make an Electromagnetic

17. Magnet Painting

By incorporating magnets into your artistic process, you will witness the enchanting interactions between magnetic fields and paint, resulting in unique and dynamic compositions.

Learn more: Magnet Painting

18. Magnetic Doddles

By using magnetic materials and drawing tools, you will witness the captivating interactions between magnets and metallic particles, resulting in vibrant and dynamic doodles.

This hands-on experiment not only deepens your understanding of magnetic forces but also nurtures artistic expression, fine motor skills, and innovative thinking.

Learn more: Magnetic Doddles

19. Spinning Magnetic Coin

Prepare to witness the captivating interaction of magnets and a simple coin as it defies gravity and spins in a spellbinding manner.

20. The Christmas Bell Game

Embrace this opportunity to merge scientific inquiry with the joyous atmosphere of the holidays, as you unravel the secrets of magnetism while immersed in the enchanting realm of the Christmas Bell Game.

Learn more: The Christmas Bell Game

Similar Posts:

• 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
• Top 50 Fun Food Science Experiments
• Top 100 Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Science Fun

Magic Magnetic Needle Electricity And Magnetism Science Experiment

In this fun and easy electricity and magnetism science experiment we are going magnetize a needle and create a compass. 

• Plastic bowl or dish
• Bar of Ivory soap. You can use other brands of soap as long as the bar of soap floats. 
• Long sewing needle

Instructions:

• Fill your plastic bowl about halfway up with water.
• Rub your needle back and forth against the magnet for about thirty seconds.
• Now, place the needle onto the bar of soap and then place the bar of soap gently into the water.
• The needle, now that it is magnetized will orient itself North and South. You have created a compass!

EXPLORE AWESOME SCIENCE EXPERIMENT VIDEOS!

How it Works:

Rubbing the needle with the magnet will magnetize the needle giving it a North and South pole. With magnets, opposites attract. Earth’s South magnetic pole is located near Earth’s geographic north. The is why your the North end of your needle will point toward the Earth’s geographic north. 

Make This A Science Project:

Try to magnetize different types of items like small nails and paper clips. Try holding batteries or other metal items near your magnetized needle and observe any changes. Try floating your magnetized needle in a metal bowl or pan. Try magnetizing the metal bowl or pan. 

EXPLORE TONS OF FUN AND EASY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS!

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Magnets for Kids – 20 of the COOLEST Magnet Wand Activities

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Magnets are super cool and super educational, so they make perfect tools for kids activities. Today I am sharing a collection of magnet wand activities  for exploring magnets for kids . I've added affiliate links to this post.

We love playing with magnets at our house- in fact my parents always let me play with magnets as a kid and I think that is where my own fascination began.

There's just something about that amazing invisible pull between two objects that never gets old.

However there are safety concerns when playing with magnets- it's very dangerous for kids to swallow magnets. To explore the properties of magnets in a safe way, we use Magnet Wands.

You can get them in several different packages, to suit your needs:

The Family Magnet Wand Pack

The Classroom Pack of Magnet Wands

The Single Student Magnetic Fun Set

The Mighty Magnets Set (with other shapes of magnets)

The Fun With Magnets Set

A while back one of my lovely fans asked what we use these magnet wands for. I found a ton of ideas for her and I thought it would be handy to share them in a roundup, SO. Here we are! 🙂

Fun With Magnets for Kids

Click through to each link to see the full tutorial and how to do each magnets for kids activity:

Jingle Bells Magnet Discovery Bottle | Lalymom Jingle Bells Magnet Sensory Bin | Lalymom Spring Magnet Butterfly Maze | Lalymom Bubble Wrap & Magnet Wands | Lalymom Crazy Magnet Hairstyles | Laughing Kids Learn Magnetic Letter Name Search Sensory Bin | Powerful Mothering Adorable Magnetic Cereal Box Castle Theatre | The Educators' Spin On It Magnet Painting | Craftulate Muffin Tin Magnet Tray | Pre-K Pages Super Cool Magnet Pendulum | Teach Beside Me Exploring Science with Trains and Magnets | The Educators' Spin On It Super Duper Spiderweb game for Preschoolers | Teach Preschool Magnetic Ice STEM Activity | Little Bins for Little Hands Preschool Magnet Discovery Table | Little Bins for Little Hands Car Themed Invitation to Explore Magnets | And Next Comes L How to Make a Compass | Gift of Curiosity Magnet Marble Run | Craftulate Magnetic Discover Bottles | Preschool Inspirations Mess Free Magnet Learning Center | Left Brain Craft Brain Magnet Track Craft | Meaningful Mama Magnetic Duck Pond | Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls Make a Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle  | Left Brain Craft Brain

Indoor Magnet Game  | What We Do All Day

Preschool Magnet Science  | Creekside Learning

Am I missing your favorite Magnets for Kids Activities? Let's hear them in the comments below!

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Magnet-Powered Car

In this activity, you will

move a toy car around with magnetism!

Supplies Required

• Masking tape or painters tape
• Magnetic wand or horseshoe magnet

The Challenge

You can move a car without ever touching it by turning a regular toy car into a magnet-powered car. Push it forward, make it turn, and park it using magnetism , an incredible invisible force.

Magnets have an invisible magnetic field around them that attracts other magnets and magnetic materials. One end of a magnet is the “north” end and the other end is the “south” end. Similar poles (north and north or south and south) repel each other, while poles that are different (north and south) attract each other. If you find that one end of the magnet repels something, flip it around to see if it will attract that same object. In this experiment, the magnetic force is strong enough to propel a toy car around the room.

Let’s Experiment and Build!

Instructions

• With an adult’s permission, use masking tape or painter’s tape to make a road on a smooth floor. Add parking lots and other highways on which to drive a toy car.
• Tape a bar magnet securely to the top of the toy car.
• Use a magnetic wand or horseshoe magnet to push and pull the car around the floor. See if you can make the car turn around, go backward, and drive along the road without touching it with your hands.
• Observations: Did you find it easier to use your magnet to push or to pull the car along the road?

Think about it and Additional Resources

Now Try This! Make several magnet-powered cars and see how they interact as they drive into and next to one another.

Share on social media: Record a video or take a picture of your activity and post the results online using the hashtags:

#MagnetCar #ProjectExploration #StemAtHome

Tag a friend and challenge them to do it, too!

For more activities like this one, go to www.projectexploration.org/stemhome. If you’re interested in learning more about Project Exploration and our free events, programs, and activities, please find us on social media and be sure to follow!

Call or text us for help: 312-772-6634

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• the Magnetic Field

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20 Fun Magnet Activities, Ideas, and Experiments for Kids

April 20, 2023 //  by  Sophie Hurford

For many kids, their first encounter with magnetism comes in the form of fridge magnets. It often sparks their curiosity and provides you with a perfect opportunity to kickstart learning about magnetism. Magnets and their uses are fascinating, and for students the learning opportunities are vast.

So, to help you navigate your way through a topic on magnets, we have put together a list of magnet activities, ideas, and experiments guaranteed to magnetize young minds. Whatever age or stage your students, the list is sure to include activities that will attract their attention and repel any magnetic misconceptions.

1. Magnetic Treasure Hunt

Armed with a magnetic wand, send your students out to the sand tray and see what treasures they can find buried in the sand. You can hide various metal objects such as toy cars, coins, or even magnetic letters and numbers.

Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime

2. Magnetic Materials in the Environment

Explore magnetic materials around your learning environment. With a magnetic wand in hand, students can investigate which surfaces their magnets stick to. It provides hours of fun, and it’s a great way to highlight common misconceptions. Will your students discover any metallic surfaces to which their magnet is not attracted too?

Learn More: Arbor Scientific

3. Mystery Magnets

Create a mystery box filled with magnetic objects. Students can lower their magnet into the box, and pull out a magnetic object. They might be surprised by the objects that appear. Once some items have been revealed, can your students spot any properties that they have in common?

4. Magical Magnetics

This activity explores the magic of magnets and illustrates how they are used in the entertainment industry. Don your magician’s cloak and perform a magnetic magic trick for your students. It could be a classic such as jumping beans or an object mysteriously moving across a surface unaided. Once you’ve divulged your secrets, your students can then have a turn at creating their own incredible magnet tricks.

Learn More: YouTube

5. Magnetic or Not

Important scientific skills include prediction and investigation. This activity practices both. Give your students a selection of objects and ask them to predict which they think are magnetic or not. Their investigation might throw up a few surprises.

Learn More: Inventors of Tomorrow

6. Environmental Clear-up  

If you’re lucky enough to live close to a beach or a river, why not team up with a local environmental charity. Take part in beachcombing or riverbed clearance. Metal detectors and large magnets are used to retrieve metal waste from these environments. And seeing this in action gives students a real-life application of magnets and a purpose for learning.

7. Wire up your own Electromagnet

This activity is great for older students who are learning about electromagnets. They can build their own electromagnet and explore different variables that affect their magnetic field and the orientation of its poles.

Learn More: Science Bob

8. Make your own Fridge Magnet

Making your own fridge magnets is a great introduction to the topic, and they’ll look great too! Once your students have decorated their kitchen appliances, encourage them to think of other ways in which magnets are used and start to explore how they work.

Learn More: Fabulessly Frugal

9. Compass Navigation

Lose yourselves in a compass navigation activity. Explore the science behind how a compass works and use it to navigate out in the wild. It’s great fun and your students can learn a life skill along the way.

Learn More: Tinkergarten

10. Lego Magnet Mazes

All you’ll need for this activity is some Lego, some magnet marbles, and a magnet wand. Build a magnet maze using the Lego and challenge your students to guide the magnetic marbles around the maze. This type of activity is great for developing motor skills in young children. You can build a mini magnet maze, for fine motor development, or a large maze to encourage gross movements.

Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands

11. Magnetic Fishing

For this activity, you will need to make your own magnet fishing rod, and a ‘fishing lake’ (or classroom tray) filled with your choice of magnetic items. Magnet letters or numbers are a fun place to start. Get your kids to lower their magnetic rods into the lake and pull out to reveal their catch.

Learn More: Busy Toddler

12. DIY Compass

Another fun way to learn about compasses and magnetism is to make your own compass. This activity walks you through the steps to ensure you don’t get lost.

Learn More: British Broadcasting Corporation

13. Magnet Mark Making

Mark making is an important activity for children as they’re learning to draw, write and hold a pen . This magnet painting activity introduces the concept of magnetism and encourages mark-making.

Learn More: Left Brain, Craft Brain

14. Magnet Marble Painting 

Here’s another fun magnet painting activity to tap into your kids’ creative sides whilst learning about science. Get your hands on a magnetic marble, a piece of paper, a few drops of paint and a magnet, and you’ll be ready to go!

Learn More: Kitchen Floor Crafts

15. Iron Filing Art

Iron filings are often used in science lessons to illustrate magnet fields. When a magnet is placed amongst the iron filings, patterns will form showing where the magnetic forces are at work. Different types of magnets will create different patterns, and strong magnets will produce more vivid effects. Have a go at creating a piece of art and explore the properties of magnets at the same time.

Learn More: Babble Dabble Do

16. Sensory Bottles

Sensory bottles are a common tool in classrooms to help calm students . You can create a magnet sensory bottles to use for mindfulness activities and that also teaches children about magnetism. Simply fill a plastic bottle with some magnetic objects and follow these instructions. Kids can then use a magnet to attract different objects that are hiding in the bottle.

Learn More: Twinkl

17. More Magnetic Magic

This activity will keep kids entertained for hours. Show them how to set it up and provide them with a set of magnets that vary in strength. They can then experiment to see how many paper clips they can levitate.

Learn More: Mom Brite

18. Magnetics Sculptures

Another magnet craft activity that teaches science and taps into kids’ creativity. Use a magnet as the base and build upwards. It’s a fun activity that you can use to introduce a lesson on magnetism.

19. Magnet Cars

Spark your little brainiacs’ curiosity with this activity that’s based on the principle of attraction and repulsion. Challenge them to build and customize toy cars with a few bar magnets before encouraging them to test out their designs by racing them around a homemade track.

20. A Magical Spinning Pencil 

This is a great STEAM project. Engineering the set-up of this project is a challenge of its own. Your kids will be forced to use a wide range of thinking skills and then apply their knowledge of magnetism to get the pencil spinning.

Learn More: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Save Your Favorite Ideas

Magnetic Sensory Bottles

Playing with magnets is a fun educational activity. We’ll show you how to make 3 simple magnetic sensory bottles using our favorite magnet activity kit.

RELATED: Math Activities for Kindergarten

Note: please make sure to read the safety information of the magnets you choose. Some have small parts and are not meant for children under 3. Also, we recommend buying a magnet kit like this one which is designed for kids 5+.

You may see that some magnetic sensory bottles have water in them. We didn’t use water and found them to still be effective and fun in using the magnet wands. By not putting water in, you also avoid having the items inside rust. You can easily switch out the items too without a mess.

Supplies Needed to Make Magnetic Sensory Bottles

Here is what you need to make these 3 bottles: 

– A magnet kit – we like this one by Learning Resources because it comes with the magnet wands, chips and other magnets you can use to do experiments with.

You can also buy the magnet wands separately here .

– Paper clips – a pack with different colors like this works well

– Pipe cleaners

– Clear sensory bottles

Watch the Full Video Tutorial Here

Directions to Make Magnetic Sensory Bottles

We made 3 bottles – a paper clip bottle, a magnet chip bottle and a pipe cleaner bottle.

Start with an empty plastic bottle. We are using these clear plastic sensory bottles but you can use any plastic bottle (even a recycled one) as long as it’s clear.

For the paper clip one, we added red, yellow, green, blue and purple paper clips:

For the magnetic chip bottle, we added the magnet chips that came in the same kit as the wands (link to the kit is above).

For the pipe cleaner bottle, we cut up pipe cleaners into smaller pieces and added red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

We hope you enjoy learning about magnets with these 3 easy to make sensory bottles!

More Sensory Play Recipes

See our cloud dough recipe which is made from just 2 ingredients!

See our Kool-Aid Playdough recipe.  

Related Ideas:

Cloud Dough

The BEST Playdough Recipe

How to Make Slime With Contact Solution

50+ Christmas Crafts for Kids

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1 thought on “magnetic sensory bottles”.

I send your crafts to my grandkids. Did a lot of these in therapy with kids. Thank you for sharing 

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20 Fun Magnet Activities, Ideas, and Experiments for Kids

• Art Education

1. Magnetic Treasure Hunt: Hide small magnetic objects around the house or classroom and have children search for them using a magnet to explore magnetism in action.

2. Dancing Paper Clip Puppets: Attach paper clips to lightweight cardboard puppets and move them around by manipulating a magnet beneath the surface.

3. Magnetic Painting: Place a large sheet of paper on top of a magnetic surface. Dip magnets in paint and use them to create unique designs on the paper.

4. DIY Magnetic Slime: Combine glue, liquid starch, iron filings, and food coloring to create a colorful magnetic slime that reacts with magnets.

5. Build a Magnet Maze: Using cardboard, straws, and magnets, create a maze for small magnetic objects to navigate through.

6. Fridge Magnet Spelling: Use alphabet fridge magnets to practice spelling or construct sentences on the refrigerator door.

7. Design Your Own Magnets: Have kids paint or draw designs on a piece of paper, then glue it onto adhesive magnetic strips for custom fridge magnets.

8. Fishing Game: Create a “fishing” game with paper fish that have paper clips attached as fins, string, and a stick with a magnet on the end as a fishing rod.

9. Magnetic Levitation Experiment: Create a unique levitation effect using ring-shaped magnets and stacking them on top of each other using their repelling force.

10. Create Magnetic Sculptures: Collect various metallic objects like nuts, bolts, screws, or washers and let kids arrange them into creative sculptures using magnets.

11. Make Your Own Compass: Show kids how to construct their own simple compassing device using a needle, cork, bowl of water, and bar magnet to demonstrate Earth’s magnetic field.

12. Cereal Iron Detection: Teach children about iron-fortified cereals by crushing cereal flakes and extracting the iron content with a strong magnet inside a plastic bag.

13. Homemade Electromagnet: Build a simple electromagnet by wrapping copper wire around a nail and attaching the ends to a battery, allowing it to interact with metallic objects.

14. Magical Magnetic Movement: Place a strong magnet under a desktop and show kids how it can move objects like paper clips, coins, or thumbtacks from the top of the desk.

15. Matching Pairs Memory Game: Print images onto adhesive magnetic sheets, cut out pairs, and place them on a magnetic surface for a fun memory game.

16. Floating Paper Clip Experiment: Demonstrate magnetic force by suspending a paper clip in midair using a magnet positioned above it.

17. Magnetic Racing Cars: Attach magnets to toy cars and create racetracks mapped out on magnetic surfaces for racing competitions.

18. Soda Can Chain Reaction: Show children how magnets interact with aluminum containers by creating a “chain reaction” racing game using soda cans and multiple bar magnets.

19. Colorful Confetti Attraction: Spread magnetic confetti on a table and provide kids with magnets to explore the party decorations’ attraction to the magnets.

20. Magnetic Solar System: Teach kids about space using magnetic spheres and metallic sheets designed as planets, inviting them to build their solar system model based on scientific principles.

These 20 fun magnet activities, ideas, and experiments encourage hands-on learning for kids while teaching them about their environment’s fascinating world of magnetism.

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Magnetic Painting: Art Meets Science!

Painting with magnets is a fantastic way to explore magnetism and create a unique piece of art. This magnet art project is a hands-on way to learn using simple materials: paint, hardware, and magnets. Oh, and some paper for this crazy art-meets-science STEAM project !

Make Magnetic Artwork

Can you paint with magnets? Yes, you can, as long as you have the right materials! This fun process art activity can be set up in a snap. Check out how cool it is to paint with science below, and then read how to set up this unique STEAM project with just a few simple materials!

Watch the Video:

How to set up magnet painting, you will need:.

• Magnetic wand or bar ( we have this set )
• Acrylic or tempera paint
• Magnetic items, including washers, nuts, and bolts!

Instructions:

Make sure to cover your surface, as this could get messy!

STEP 1:  This part is super easy! Put a squirt or blob of different-colored paint on the paper, and then place the magnetic objects on the paper as well.

💡 TIP:  If your paint is very thick, thin it. In a separate cup, mix a bit of water into the paint. Then, add the paint to the paper.

STEP 2: Using a magnetic bar, horseshoe, or wand, pull the objects through the paint and around the paper’s surface using magnetism!

NOTE:  You can also pull the objects from underneath the paper if you have it on a tray!

💡 Explore magnetic objects of different sizes while you create a unique piece of art!

What is Magnetism?

Magnets can either pull toward each other or push away from each other. Grab a few magnets and check this out for yourself!

Usually, magnets are strong enough for you to use one magnet to push another around on top of a table and never have them touch each other. Give it a try!

When magnets pull together or bring something closer, it is called attraction. When magnets push themselves or things away, they repel.

FINDINGS:  Magnets work through paper, trays, and paint!

More Fun with Magnets

• Magnetic Slime
• Preschool Magnet Activities
• Magnet Ornaments
• Magnetic Sensory Bottles
• Magnet Maze
• Magnet Compass

Printable Magnet Activity Pack

Your kids will be blown away by the power of magnets with these playful science activities! The suggested age range is kindergarten through second Grade (3rd and 4th will enjoy it too)! 

What’s Included:

10+ projects include supply lists, directions, basic science information, and pictures to quickly create science fun with magnets! Favorite activities include magnet mazes, sensory bottles, painting with magnets, and making magnets. Plus, video tutorials!

• 10 fun and creative magnet projects (using a basic magnet set)
• Word Search
• Crossword Puzzle
• Vocabulary Cards
• Suggested Books

Designed by an early elementary school STEM teacher for Little Bins for Little Hands!

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

Fun and Simple Preschool Magnet Experiments

Posted on Last updated: June 29, 2023

Experimenting with magnets is so much fun and can be as simple as an open ended exploration. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are some preschool magnet experiments that kids will love. 

Fun Magnet Activities

Our favorite magnet activity for young children is to experiment with a magnet and small items to see what is magnetic and what is not. This old favorite is great fun and the possibilities are endless as young kids explore this concept.

Types of Magnets

(affiliate links)

magnet wand

horseshoe magnets

Items to Experiment with

• paper clips
• pipe cleaners (cut into pieces)
• metal objects
• plastic toys
• fridge magnets
• jingle bells
• nuts and bolts

Use the magnet wand or a strong magnet to see which items are magnetic and which items are not. Sort the everyday items onto the Magnetic Recording Sheet . 

Magnetic Marble Mazes

Combine  magnetic marbles  and a magnetic wand with this free printable. Get the marbles from one side of the maze to the other. This is a fun challenge that you can try with the wand below the maze or above it to guide the magnetic marble. 

Mini Magnet Mazes

Use a paper plate and magnatiles to make a miniature maze. Then try to move and tilt the paper plate to get a non magnetic marble through the maze. This is so much fun and young kids will love to make these mazes over and over again. You could also use the bottom of a box to make the maze. 

Magnet Pendulum

With a string and magnet play with this pendulum to experiment with so many Science concepts. How close does the magnet need to be to pick up objects? What angle should the pendulum be swung at to successfully grab the items?

Magnetic Slime

​Check out how to make slime magnetic with a few simple ingredients. You do need a special magnet for this experiment. 

Here are a few quick and easy  experiments with iron filings  to try if you have those on hand. You can buy iron filings  HERE .

Magnetic sensory bottles  are a great way for young children to experiment in a mess free way. This is a fun activity for toddlers or a great idea to put in a Science center. 

Facts About Magnets

Here are a few things you should know about magnets that you can share your knowledge about as your kids discover them through experimenting. 

• Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole. Two of the same poles repel each other and opposite poles attract each other. 
• Magnets produce a magnetic force. You can’t see it with your eyes, but can see the pull of it when using iron fillings to experiment with. 
• There are different types of magnets.
• The Earth is one big magnet with a magnetic force and a north pole and south pole. 
• A compass uses Earth’s magnetic field to guide you in the right direction. 

Children of all ages love to try easy magnet experiments! There are so many great ideas here, which one will you try first?

Montessori Moments

Friday 8th of January 2010

Hey, I love this! I have done this activity before too, but I love all your items!Thanks for sharing

Thursday 7th of January 2010

Thanks for linking up!

Mama to 3 Blessings

What a great experiment! Good idea - gathering items around the house too! :)Nicolehttp://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/

Raising a Happy Child

This is an experiment after my own heart - no big prep necessary and fully self-directed. Thanks for sharing it!

How fun! I so wish we had a Lakeshore Learning store near us!

I have an award for you:http://ourniftynotebook.blogspot.com/2010/01/awards.html

Check out Engineering Explorers, our newest online resource!

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Be a Magnet Detective!

In this lesson, children will be magnet detectives as they investigate and experiment with magnetic forces.

Content Area:

Force and Motion

Learning Goals:

This lesson will help toddlers and preschoolers meet the following educational standards :

• Demonstrate curiosity about the world and begin to use the practices of science and engineering to answer questions and solve problems
• Explore concepts and information about the physical, earth and life sciences
• Understand important connections and understandings in science and engineering

Learning Targets:

After this lesson, toddlers and preschoolers should be more proficient at:

• Developing foundational skills in the use of scientific practices such as observing, asking questions, solving problems and drawing conclusions
• Exploring the physical properties of objects
• Exploring the concepts of force and motion
• Using tools and technology to assist with scientific and engineering investigations
• Expressing wonder and curiosity about their world by asking questions and solving problems
• Carrying out simple investigations
• Exploring the effect of force on objects in the early childhood environment
• Generating explanations and communicating ideas and/or conclusions about their investigations

Lesson plan for toddlers/preschoolers

Step 1: gather materials..

• Horseshoe magnets or magnetic wands

A tray or table full of items that may or may not be attracted to magnets (such as cotton balls, cork, crayons, feathers, modeling clay, nails, paper clips, pennies, rocks or stones, rubber bands or wooden blocks)

Note : Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

Step 2: Introduce activity.

• Introduce the book, Magnet Max , by Monica Lozano Hughes.
• When reading the book, pay particular attention to new vocabulary words .
• Try using hand gestures to indicate attracting (pulling together) and repelling (pushing away) and ask the children to imitate you. Then ask the children to stand while you “push and pull” them with the force of your hand.
• Invite the children to become magnet detectives and investigate magnetic forces with their horseshoe magnets and/or magnetic wands.

Step 3: Engage children in lesson activities.

• Fill a tray or table with the materials to be tested for magnetism .
• Read the book, Magnet Max .
• Instruct the children to predict which objects will be attracted to the magnets and then use their magnets to test out their predictions.
• Continue to experiment with the magnets and various objects.
• Classify and categorize the objects into two piles: Objects that are attracted to the magnets and objects that are not.
• Ask : “What do the objects that are attracted to the magnets have in common?”
• When the children determine that the objects that are attracted to magnets are all made of metal, confirm their conclusion by saying : “Magnets are pieces of metal that have the power to attract other pieces of metal.”
• Then say : “I wonder if magnets are attracted to everything made of metal. Let’s find out.”
• Have the children test out objects made of different metals such as iron, nickel, aluminum, brass and copper. Do not use U.S. coins for this experiment because U.S. coins are metal “sandwiches” (pennies are copper-plated zinc and nickels are a 75% copper/25% nickel alloy).
• Then tell the children to separate the metal objects into two piles: magnetic metal objects and non-magnetic metal objects. Ask : “Which metals are magnetic?”
• Say : “Every magnet is made of metal, but not all metals are magnetic.”

Step 4: Vocabulary.

• Attract : To pull together
• Magnet : A piece of metal that has the power to attract (pull close) or repel (push away) metal objects made of magnetic materials such as iron, cobalt and nickel
• Repel : To push away

Step 5: Adapt lesson for toddlers or preschoolers.

Adapt lesson for toddlers, toddlers may:.

• Use wand magnets or large horseshoe magnets for safety
• Test the magnetism of larger items (to avoid choking or other safety hazards)

Child care providers may:

• Bury magnetic objects in a sensory table and encourage the children to use their magnetic wands or horseshoe magnets to hunt for “buried treasure”
• Use larger magnets and larger magnetic and non-magnetic objects to avoid choking or other safety hazards

Adapt Lesson for Preschoolers

Preschoolers may:.

• Carry a magnet around the classroom or outside in the schoolyard to test out the magnetic fields of other objects
• Notice that the magnets have a north pole and a south pole (this is an indication that the child may be able to understand and experiment with the concept that opposite poles attract and like poles repel)
• Encourage older children to hold two magnets together at different distances to feel their force, then flip over one of the magnets to see how the force changes
• Bury magnetic objects in sand and encourage the children to hunt for them with their magnets (use large magnets and large objects for safety reasons)

Suggested Books

• Magnet Max by Monica Lozano Hughes
• Magnets: Pulling Together, Pushing Apart (Amazing Science) by Natalie Myra Rosinsky (author) and Sheree Boyd (illustrator)
• Magnets Push, Magnets Pull by David A. Adler​ (author) and Anna Raff (illustrator)
• What Magnets Can Do by Allan Fowler
• What Makes a Magnet ? by Franklyn M. Branley (author) and True Kelley (illustrator)

Music and Movement

• Watch this first-grade class dance and sing about magnets .
• Get the energy level in your classroom up with this fun rhyming song about magnets !

Outdoor Connections

• Take the wand magnets outside and encourage the children to investigate the magnetic forces in the schoolyard or on the playground. Ask the children if their magnets are attracted to the slide, swings, fence, sand, sidewalk, plants, etc.

Web Resources

• Bill Nye the Science Guy Magnet Episode
• Learn about magnets and magnetism for kids in this Ryan’s World video .

Comment on this lesson

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magic tricks & mind tricks

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17 Magical Science Experiments That Will Blow Your Mind [2024] ✨

• March 14, 2024
• Science Experiments

Have you ever wondered how magic tricks work? The art of illusion has captivated audiences for centuries, but did you know that there’s actually a scientific explanation behind many magic tricks? In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating world of magical science experiments that will leave you in awe. Get ready to have your mind blown!

Table of Contents

Quick answer, quick tips and facts, background: the science behind magic, 1. mystical mustard packet, 2. walking on eggs, 3. quarter catch, 4. dry paper, 5. bending straw illusion, 6. walk on water, 7. magnetic wand, 8. diving egg, 9. disappearing reflection, 10. leakproof baggie, 11. magic water cup, 12. egg in a bottle, 13. balloon pop not, 14. friction fun, 15. fabulous floating rocks, 16. dry erase, recommended links, reference links.

Magic tricks are not just about sleight of hand and misdirection. They often involve scientific principles that create mind-boggling illusions. From walking on eggs to bending straws with your mind, these magical science experiments will leave you amazed and wanting to learn more. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind some of the most mind-blowing magic tricks!

• 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Magic Science Experiment Kits | Magic Supplies | Magic Books
• Magic tricks often rely on scientific principles such as chemistry, physics, and psychology.
• Practice and presentation are key to performing magic tricks successfully.
• Many magic tricks can be performed using everyday objects found around the house.
• Magic can be a great way to spark interest in science and encourage curiosity.

Magic and science may seem like two completely different worlds, but they are more closely related than you might think. The principles behind many magic tricks are rooted in scientific concepts. Understanding these concepts can help us unravel the mysteries behind the illusions.

For example, the art of misdirection relies on psychology and the brain’s ability to focus on one thing while ignoring others. Sleight of hand tricks often exploit the brain’s tendency to fill in missing information, creating the illusion of objects appearing or disappearing.

Physics plays a role in many magic tricks as well. Forces such as gravity, friction, and air pressure can be manipulated to create seemingly impossible feats. Chemistry is also a key player, with chemical reactions and properties used to create magical transformations.

Now that we have a better understanding of the science behind magic, let’s dive into some mind-blowing magical science experiments!

17 Mind-Blowing Magical Science Experiments

✨ Rating: 9.5/10 ✨

Have you ever seen a mustard packet magically change color? This simple yet impressive trick is all about chemistry. By mixing two colorless liquids inside the packet, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in a vibrant color change. It’s a great way to amaze your friends and learn about chemical reactions at the same time!

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a mustard packet, a cup of water, and a small container of baking soda. Follow these steps:

• Fill the cup with water.
• Open the mustard packet and empty the contents into the cup of water.
• Add a small amount of baking soda to the cup.
• Watch as the mustard packet changes color right before your eyes!

✨ Rating: 8.5/10 ✨

Walking on eggs without breaking them may seem impossible, but with a little science, you can defy gravity! This experiment demonstrates the concept of weight distribution and the strength of eggshells.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a dozen eggs and a flat surface. Follow these steps:

• Place the eggs on a flat surface, making sure they are close together.
• Carefully step onto the eggs, distributing your weight evenly.
• Slowly shift your weight from one foot to the other, maintaining balance.
• Walk across the eggs without breaking a single one!

✨ Rating: 9/10 ✨

Can you catch a quarter off your elbow without dropping it? With a little practice and understanding of physics, you can master this impressive trick. The key is to create a centrifugal force that keeps the quarter in place as you catch it.

To perform this trick, you’ll need a quarter and some patience. Follow these steps:

• Place the quarter on your elbow, positioning your arm at a 90-degree angle.
• Quickly flick your arm downward, creating a circular motion.
• As the quarter falls, catch it with your hand before it hits the ground.
• Practice makes perfect, so keep trying until you master the technique!

✨ Rating: 7.5/10 ✨

Imagine being able to dunk a piece of paper in water and pull it out completely dry. This magical experiment is all about the properties of water and surface tension. By using a special solution, you can create a barrier that repels water, keeping the paper dry.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a bowl of water, a piece of paper, and a solution made of water and a hydrophobic substance like wax or oil. Follow these steps:

• Dip the piece of paper into the solution, making sure it is fully coated.
• Slowly lower the paper into the bowl of water.
• Watch as the paper remains dry, defying the laws of nature!
• Remove the paper from the water and marvel at the magic.

Have you ever seen a straw bend without anyone touching it? This mind-bending illusion is all about the science of light refraction. By placing a straw in a glass of water at a certain angle, you can create the illusion of a bent straw.

To perform this illusion, you’ll need a glass of water and a straw. Follow these steps:

• Fill the glass with water, leaving some space at the top.
• Place the straw in the glass, making sure it is partially submerged.
• Look at the straw from different angles and be amazed as it appears to bend!
• The bending is caused by the way light travels through water, creating an optical illusion.

Ever dreamt of walking on water? With a non-Newtonian fluid called oobleck, you can make this dream a reality. Oobleck is a mixture of cornstarch and water that behaves like a liquid when handled gently but turns solid under pressure.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a large container, water, and cornstarch. Follow these steps:

• Fill the container with water, leaving some space at the top.
• Slowly add cornstarch to the water, stirring until you achieve a gooey consistency.
• Step onto the oobleck and be amazed as it supports your weight!
• Walk, run, or jump on the oobleck and experience the magic of this non-Newtonian fluid.

✨ Rating: 8/10 ✨

With a simple magnetic wand, you can perform a magical experiment that seems to defy gravity. By using the power of magnetism, you can make objects move without touching them.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a magnetic wand and a selection of small magnetic objects. Follow these steps:

• Place the magnetic objects on a flat surface.
• Hold the magnetic wand above the objects without touching them.
• Move the wand around, and watch as the objects follow its magnetic field!
• Experiment with different objects and see how they react to the magnetic wand.

Can an egg dive into a glass of water without sinking? With a little science, you can make it happen! This experiment demonstrates the concept of inertia and the relationship between mass and acceleration.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a hard-boiled egg, a glass of water, and a small piece of cardboard. Follow these steps:

• Place the egg on top of the glass, making sure it is balanced.
• Quickly push the cardboard down into the glass, trapping the egg inside.
• Watch as the egg dives into the water without sinking!
• The egg’s inertia keeps it in motion, allowing it to dive into the water before coming to a stop.

Have you ever looked in a mirror and seen your reflection disappear? This magical experiment is all about the science of light and reflection. By using a special mirror, you can create the illusion of a disappearing reflection.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a mirror with a two-way reflective surface. Follow these steps:

• Hold the mirror in front of you, making sure the reflective side is facing you.
• Look at your reflection in the mirror and observe it carefully.
• Slowly tilt the mirror, and be amazed as your reflection disappears!
• The two-way reflective surface allows light to pass through from certain angles, creating the illusion of a disappearing reflection.

Can you poke pencils through a baggie filled with water without it leaking? With a little science, you can perform this seemingly impossible trick. The secret lies in the properties of polymers and the concept of surface tension.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a sealable baggie, water, and some sharpened pencils. Follow these steps:

• Fill the baggie with water, leaving some space at the top.
• Seal the baggie, making sure it is tightly closed.
• Slowly push the sharpened pencils through the baggie, one at a time.
• Be amazed as the baggie remains leakproof, even with pencils sticking out of it!
• The polymers in the baggie create a tight seal around the pencils, preventing water from leaking out.

Imagine being able to turn a cup of water upside down without spilling a single drop. With a little science, you can perform this magical experiment. The secret lies in air pressure and the concept of a vacuum.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a cup, water, and a piece of cardboard or plastic. Follow these steps:

• Fill the cup with water, leaving some space at the top.
• Place the cardboard or plastic over the mouth of the cup, making sure it is tightly sealed.
• Carefully turn the cup upside down, keeping the cardboard or plastic in place.
• Slowly remove your hand from the cardboard or plastic, and be amazed as the water stays inside the cup!
• The air pressure outside the cup pushes against the cardboard or plastic, creating a vacuum that holds the water in place.

Can you put an egg inside a bottle without breaking it? With the power of air pressure, you can perform this impressive trick. The key is to create a change in air pressure that allows the egg to be sucked into the bottle.

To perform this trick, you’ll need a hard-boiled egg, a glass bottle with a narrow neck, and a piece of burning paper. Follow these steps:

• Peel the hard-boiled egg, making sure it fits through the neck of the bottle.
• Light a piece of paper on fire and quickly drop it into the bottle.
• Immediately place the egg on top of the bottle, making sure it covers the opening completely.
• Watch as the egg gets sucked into the bottle!
• The burning paper heats the air inside the bottle, causing it to expand. When the paper goes out, the air cools down, creating a vacuum that pulls the egg inside.

Can you stick a needle through a balloon without popping it? With a little science, you can perform this amazing trick. The secret lies in the properties of polymers and the concept of elasticity.

To perform this trick, you’ll need a balloon, a needle, and some patience. Follow these steps:

• Inflate the balloon, making sure it is not too tight.
• Hold the balloon steady and slowly push the needle through the rubber, avoiding any sudden movements.
• Be amazed as the needle goes through the balloon without popping it!
• The polymers in the balloon stretch and seal around the needle, preventing air from escaping.

✨ Rating: 7/10 ✨

Friction can be magically fun! This experiment demonstrates the concept of friction and how it can be manipulated to create surprising effects.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a smooth surface, a small object like a coin, and a piece of paper. Follow these steps:

• Place the piece of paper on the smooth surface.
• Hold the coin at one end of the paper and slowly pull it, keeping it in contact with the paper.
• Be amazed as the paper moves along with the coin, defying gravity!
• The friction between the coin and the paper creates a force that allows the paper to move without slipping.

Can rocks float? With a little science, you can make it seem like they do! This experiment demonstrates the concept of buoyancy and the relationship between density and volume.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a container filled with water and some rocks. Follow these steps:

• Carefully place the rocks in the water, one at a time.
• Be amazed as the rocks float on the surface of the water!
• The rocks displace an amount of water equal to their weight, allowing them to float.

With a little magic, you can bring drawings to life! This experiment combines the art of drawing with the science of static electricity.

To perform this experiment, you’ll need a dry erase marker, a whiteboard, and a piece of fabric. Follow these steps:

• Draw a simple figure on the whiteboard using the dry erase marker.
• Rub the fabric against the whiteboard, creating a static charge.
• Hold the fabric close to the drawing, and be amazed as the figure comes to life, moving and dancing!
• The static electricity attracts and repels the ink particles, creating the illusion of a living drawing.

What kind of science are magic tricks?

Magic tricks often involve principles from various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, psychology, and even mathematics. Understanding the science behind magic tricks can help us appreciate the artistry and skill involved in creating illusions.

Read more about “What is a Jedi Mind Control? … 🧙‍♂️”

What science experiment went horribly wrong?

While science experiments can be fascinating and educational, there have been instances where things went horribly wrong. One notable example is the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, which occurred during a failed safety test at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The experiment led to a catastrophic nuclear meltdown, resulting in the release of radioactive materials and a devastating impact on the environment and human health.

Is there a science behind magic?

Yes, there is a science behind magic! Many magic tricks rely on scientific principles such as physics, chemistry, and psychology. By understanding these principles, magicians can create illusions that seem impossible to the audience.

Read more about “10 Mind-Blowing Magic Tricks That Are All About Science … 🎩✨”

What is the biggest science experiment of all time?

One of the biggest science experiments of all time is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The LHC is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, designed to study the fundamental particles and forces that make up the universe. It has been instrumental in the discovery of the Higgs boson and has contributed to our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics.

In conclusion, magic and science go hand in hand. The world of magic tricks is not just about sleight of hand and misdirection; it’s also about understanding the scientific principles that create mind-boggling illusions. From walking on eggs to bending straws with your mind, these magical science experiments will leave you in awe and inspire you to explore the fascinating world of science.

So go ahead, grab a magic science experiment kit, and start exploring the wonders of the scientific world through the lens of magic. Who knows, you might just uncover the secrets to some of the greatest magic tricks of all time!

• Card Tricks
• Close-up Magic
• The Greatest Magic Trick of All Time
• Science Fun – Magic Science Experiments
• Chernobyl Disaster
• Large Hadron Collider

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Learning Resources Magnetic Wands - 6 Pieces, Ages 3+, Educational Learning Kits, Science Experiment Tools, Preschool Learning Toys, Homeschool Supplies,Back to School Supplies,Teacher Supplies

• Promote STEM learning at home and in the classroom through hands-on exploration with these simple, sturdy magnetic wands
• Strong magnets encased in plastic spark interest in the properties of magnetism
• Set of 6 is perfect for physical science learning centers, science fairs, and primary science labs
• Assorted colors include red, yellow, blue, green, pink and purple
• Get ready to explore the wide world around you with science discovery toys and tools that help kids build observation and critical thinking skills used by real scientists, school supplies,teacher supplies!
• GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter or even for Homeschool.
• A Brighter Back to School: Make this the smartest back-to-school yet with toys and tools from Learning Resource trusted by teachers and parents alike since 1984!

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Product information

Product Dimensions	1.25 x 5 x 10.25 inches
Item Weight	13.7 ounces
ASIN	B000URSHEE
Item model number	LER0762
Manufacturer recommended age	6 - 10 years
Best Sellers Rank	#13,832 in Toys & Games ( ) #149 in
Customer Reviews	4.8 out of 5 stars
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Release date	January 1, 1993
Manufacturer	Learning Resources

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Product Description

These colorful wands have the power to attract children to the fascinating world of magnetism. This simple STEM tool encourages hands-on exploration of magnetic fields, forces of attraction and repulsion, and real-world uses of magnets. Perfect for tactile and visual learners!

From the manufacturer

Primary Science Magnetic Wands

Kids discover the magic of magnetism with every wave of the Primary Science Magnetic Wands from Learning Resources!

Sized just right for little hands, this set of magnetic wands is ready to give kids a hands-on introduction to magnets, early physics, and more!	Each set includes 6 wands in 6 bright colors, so kids can pick their favorite when it's time to learn!	With their durable design, these wands are ready for years of activities in the classroom, sensory bin, playroom, and more!

Ages & Stages

From force and motion to trajectory, magnetism, and more, this toy builds an early understanding of the physics forces all around us!	From measurement and comparison to cause and effect, this toy teaches kids valuable ways to observe, record, and analyze the world around them!	When they play with this fun hands-on toy, kids develop the fine motor skills needed to write, dress themselves, and more!

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

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Customers say

Customers like the quality, magnets, and playability of the science fundamentals kit. For example, they mention it's well-made, strong, and fun. Some appreciate the educational value, saying it'll be a good teaching tool for little ones. That said, some like the color.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the quality of the science fundamentals kit. They say it's well-made, strong, and has stood up to being dropped. Some customers also mention that the handles have stood up. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and recommend it as a great stocking stuffer.

"...They are highly durable , they have been dropped and banged, but nothing happened to the magnets." Read more

"...They are fairly strong, but not so strong that fingers get pinched . While poles are not marked, attraction and repelling can still be explored." Read more

"... Fantastic buy ; I will plan to purchase additional magnet wands from the same seller as our need dictates." Read more

"...These are sturdy (if they can survive him, they can survive anyone...lol)...." Read more

Customers like the magnets. They say they're durable, fun, and excellent. They like that they've been dropped and banged, but nothing happened to them. They also say they are good for beginning study of magnetism, strong enough to move magnetic balls through a classroom table. Customers also say the magnet wands were delivered quickly and are fun to use with the magnetic chips.

"...highly durable, they have been dropped and banged, but nothing happened to the magnets ." Read more

"These magnets are great for school . They are fairly strong, but not so strong that fingers get pinched...." Read more

"...Not a bad thing, but just be aware that the magnets are quite powerful . I bought them to use with sensory bins to “catch” magnetic letters...." Read more

"...These guys are durable, fun, and excellent magnets ." Read more

Customers find the science fundamentals kit fun, engaging, and popular with kids. They also say it's a fun tool to learn and play, and good for learning through play.

"...Multiple colors. Great entertainment and learning . Worth the price" Read more

"...I also bought a set of little magnetic blocks - a great way to learn and play !" Read more

"...These magnets are very strong and are good for Learning through play ." Read more

"...These guys are durable, fun , and excellent magnets." Read more

Customers find the science fundamentals kit easy to use. They say it's perfect for preschoolers to handle, babies through elementary age to experiment and experience magnetism. They also say it’s a great teaching tool for little scientists.

"These magnets are sturdy and strong. Perfect for babies through elementary age to experiment and experience magnetism...." Read more

"These are perfect for my second graders ! They are powerful and super durable. These are are great for our unit on magnets." Read more

" easy to use and pick up the chips when playing bingo" Read more

"These are sturdy, come in a variety of colors, are easy for students to use , and students love using them!..." Read more

Customers appreciate the educational value of the science fundamentals kit. They say it's a great teaching tool for little ones, and a good science tool. Some customers also mention that it'll be a perfect addition to their science center.

"...These magnets are also great for sensory bins and sensory bottles . With the sensory bottles...." Read more

"Used in my daughter’s Christmas sensory bins with jingle bells! Perfect use for them " Read more

"...It is awesome to see the wonderment in his eyes, feeling the strong magnetic pull...." Read more

"...They are durable and are used often to tack important documents to a metal door so they are easily visible and accessible...." Read more

Customers like the color of the science fundamentals kit. They say the multiple colors are great, fun, and make them smile.

"...These will surely become teaching devices. Multiple colors . Great entertainment and learning. Worth the price" Read more

"...The fun colors make us smile ." Read more

"...have stood up to being dropped/tossed/thrown, and the colors are nice and vibrant . They keep my son entertained for a long time!" Read more

"Perfect size, the colors are a little bit darker as the picture I attached but the magnet is perfect for what I was looking for" Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the science fundamentals kit.

"...Multiple colors. Great entertainment and learning. Worth the price " Read more

"...This was a very good inexpensive way to do this!" Read more

"...Had one break but fixed it with hot glue. Good value ." Read more

"These magnets are awesome and the price is fantastic compared to other educational websites!!" Read more

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Wobbling muon experiment could reveal a 5th force of nature — if the results hold up

The discovery promises to spark a revolution in physics, but more results are needed to know for sure.

A tiny wobbling particle may be about to reveal a fifth force of nature, scientists behind one of the biggest particle physics experiments say.

Physicists at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, or Fermilab, near Chicago have found more evidence that the muon, a subatomic particle, is wobbling far more than it should — and they think it's because an unknown force is pushing it.

The results build on a previous experiment made in 2021 but produced four times the data with the experimental uncertainty reduced by a factor of two. If the findings are true, and the theoretical controversies around these measurements can be overcome, they represent a breakthrough in physics of a kind that hasn't been seen for 50 years, when the dominant theory to explain subatomic particles was solidified. 

In other words, the muon's minute wobbling — known as its magnetic moment — has the potential to shake the very foundations of science. 

"We're really probing new territory," Brendan Casey, a senior scientist at Fermilab who works on the experiment, known as Muon g-2, said in a statement . "We're determining the muon magnetic moment at a better precision than it has ever been seen before." 

Related: A tiny, wobbling muon just shook particle physics to its core

Occasionally referred to as "fat electrons," muons are similar to electrons but are 200 times heavier and radioactively unstable — decaying in mere millionths of a second into electrons and tiny, ghostly, chargeless particles known as neutrinos . Muons also have a property called spin, which makes them behave as if they were tiny magnets, causing them to wobble like mini gyroscopes when inside a magnetic field.

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To investigate the muon's wobbling, physicists at Fermilab sent the particles flying around a  minus 450 degree Fahrenheit (minus 268 degrees Celsius) superconducting magnetic ring at nearly the speed of light — a speed that, due to relativistic time dilation, extends the muons' short lifetimes by a factor of about 3,000. 

By looking at how muons wobbled as they made thousands of laps around the 50-foot-diameter (15 meters) ring, the physicists compiled data suggesting that the muon was wobbling far more than it should be.

The explanation, the study scientists say, is the existence of something not yet accounted for by the Standard Model — the set of equations that explain all subatomic particles, which has remained unchanged since the mid-1970s. 

This mysterious something could be a completely unknown force of nature (the known four are gravitational, electromagnetic and the strong and weak nuclear forces). Alternatively, it could be an unknown exotic particle, or evidence of a new dimension or an undiscovered aspect of space-time. 

But whichever way they slice it, the physicists' data suggests that something unknown is nudging and tugging at the muons inside the ring.

Full confirmation will take a little while longer, however. To be as certain as possible, physicists will use all of the data collected during the g-2 experiment's 2018 to 2023 run: The current result only takes data from 2019 and 2020. Secondly, they will need to wait for theoretical predictions from the Standard Model to catch up.

— Proof of new physics from the muon's magnetic moment? Maybe not, according to new theoretical calculation

— How a 'muon accelerator' could unravel some of the universe's greatest mysteries

— A decade of science and trillions of collisions show the W boson is more massive than expected

There are currently two theoretical methods for calculating what the muon's wobble should be under the Standard Model. These two methods produce conflicting predictions. Some of these calculations, including one published the same week as the 2021 g-2 experiment findings, give a much larger value to the theoretical uncertainty of the muon's magnetic moment — threatening to rob the experiment of its physics-breaking significance.

Another experiment , using data from the CMD-3 accelerator in Novosibirsk, Russia, also appears to find the muons wobbling within normal bounds, but the experiment directly contradicts a previous run of the accelerator that hinted at an opposite result.

Fermilab researchers hope that the full results, which they expect to be ready in 2025, could be precise enough to give a clear reading.

The scientists have submitted their work for publication in the journal Physical Review Letters; a preprint of the findings can be found here .

This article was provided by Live Science.

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Ben Turner is a U.K. based staff writer at Live Science. He covers physics and astronomy, among other topics like weird animals and climate change. He graduated from University College London with a degree in particle physics before training as a journalist. When he's not writing, Ben enjoys reading literature, playing the guitar and embarrassing himself with chess.

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Moon ‘swirls’ could be magnetized by unseen magmas

Mysterious, light-colored swirls on Moon’s surface could be rocks magnetized by magma activity underground, WashU laboratory experiments confirm

Lunar swirls are light-colored, sinuous features on the Moon’s surface, bright enough to be visible from a backyard telescope. Some people think they look like the brushstrokes in an abstract painting. But these are not mere artistic flourishes: NASA images show that the tendrils from some lunar swirls extend for hundreds of miles.

Lunar swirls have defied easy explanation, but recent modeling and spacecraft data shed light on the twisty mystery. The data shows that rocks in the swirls are magnetized, and these rocks deflect or redirect solar wind particles that constantly bombard the Moon. Nearby rocks take the hit instead. Over time, neighboring rocks become darkened by chemical reactions caused by the collisions, while the swirls remain light colored.

But how did the rocks in lunar swirls get magnetized? The Moon does not have a magnetic field today. No astronaut or rover has yet visited a lunar swirl to investigate.

“Impacts could cause these types of magnetic anomalies,” said Michael J. Krawczynski , an associate professor of earth, environmental and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. He notes that meteorites regularly deliver iron-rich material to areas on the Moon’s surface. “But there are some swirls where we’re just not sure how an impact could create that shape and that size of thing.”

Krawczynski believes it’s more likely that something else has locally magnetized the swirls.

“Another theory is that you have lavas underground, cooling slowly in a magnetic field and creating the magnetic anomaly,” said Krawczynski, who designed experiments to test this explanation. His results are published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets .

Krawczynski and study first author Yuanyuan Liang, who recently earned her PhD in earth, environmental and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences, measured the effects of different combinations of atmospheric chemistry and magmatic cooling rates on a mineral called ilmenite to see if they could produce a magnetizing effect.

“Earth rocks are very easily magnetized because they often have tiny bits of magnetite in them, which is a magnetic mineral,” Krawczynski said. “A lot of the terrestrial studies that have focused on things with magnetite are not applicable to the Moon, where you don’t have this hyper-magnetic mineral.”

But ilmenite, which is abundant on the Moon, can also react and form particles of iron metal, which can be magnetized under the right conditions, Krawczynski and his team found.

“The smaller grains that we were working with seemed to create stronger magnetic fields because the surface area to volume ratio is larger for the smaller grains compared to the larger grains,” Liang said. “With more exposed surface area, it is easier for the smaller grains to undergo the reduction reaction.”

“Our analog experiments showed that at lunar conditions, we could create the magnetizable material that we needed. So, it’s plausible that these swirls are caused by subsurface magma,” said Krawczynski, who is a faculty fellow in the university’s McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences .

Determining the origin of lunar swirls is considered key in understanding what processes have shaped the lunar surface, the history of a magnetic field on the Moon and even how the surfaces of planets and moons generally affect the space environment surrounding them.

This study will help interpret data acquired by future missions to the Moon, especially those that explore magnetic anomalies on the lunar surface. NASA intends to send a rover to the lunar swirl area known as Reiner Gamma in 2025 as part of the Lunar Vertex mission.

“If you’re going to make magnetic anomalies by the methods that we describe, then the underground magma needs to have high titanium,” Krawczynski said. “We have seen hints of this reaction creating iron metal in lunar meteorites and in lunar samples from Apollo. But all of those samples are surface lava flows, and our study shows cooling underground should significantly enhance these metal-forming reactions.”

For now, his experimental approach is the best way to test predictions about how unseen lava may be driving the magnetic effects of the mysterious lunar swirls.

“If we could just drill down, we could see if this reaction was happening,” Krawczynski said. “That would be great, but it’s not possible yet. Right now, we’re stuck with the surface.”

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