10 Cool Magnet Wand Challenges to Try This Summer!
Summer is such a cool time for kids – swimming pools and trips to the shore, flip flops and fireflies, and bike rids to the park. Well, we’re here to help make your kids’ summer even cooler…with magnets! Perfect for playdates, family fun, summer learning, and camp activities, these 10 “summerific” STEM and STEAM activities use our beloved Magnet Wands:
1. Magnet Maze Story Maps
Have a small group of kids brainstorm a simple story with a beginning, middle, and end. Next, show them how to create a maze on a large sheet of paper, with areas corresponding to each section of their story. Use markers, crayons, and construction paper to add backgrounds, that align with their story’s setting, to the maze.
They can even cut out and add small characters (with folded bottoms) to the maze and attach a paperclip to the bottom of each character. Tape each maze to a thin tabletop, and as the kids tell their story, they can drag a Magnet Wand under the tabletop to magically “move” the characters through the maze.
2. 3D Magnet Sculptures
Turn a closed cardboard box upside down and cut a small hole. Insert the handle of a Magnet Wand into the hole, so the wand stands securely upright. Gather magnetic goodies from around the house: spare parts, bits of small hardware, little toy cars made of steel, etc. Place the objects on the Magnet Wand, building a sculpture as you go. Now decorate the art stand (box), give your whole creation a name, and put it on display!
3. Magnet Painting
Drip a few dollops of different colored tempura paint on a paper plate and drop a few paperclips into the mix. Then, move your Magnet Wand under the plate to create a one-of-a-kind magnet painting (and let dry)! It’s the perfect blend of science and art for summer STEAM learning.
4. Magnetic Animal Parade
Using empty tissue boxes, construction paper, paint, pipe cleaners, pom poms, glue, and googly eyes, have kids create their own crazy animals. Attach a Bar Magnet to the top of each creation or a Block Magnet to the back of each box. (Masking tape works great.) Hand out Magnet Wands, line up the kids, and have them “walk” their animals down a parade route (guiding each box animal by holding the Magnet Wand near the Bar or Block Magnet to repel it).
5. Will It Float or Stick?
Drop magnetic and non-magnetic items (screws, bolts, washers, coins, bottle caps, glass marbles, wooden sticks or toothpicks, small plastic toys, etc.) into a clear cup or bowl of water. What floats?
Now, slide a Magnet Wand up and down the outside walls of the cup/bowl. Which items can you pull out of the water (without putting the wand in the water)?
6. Magnetic Obstacle Race Course
Use painters tape to create multiple racetracks on the floor, complete with curves, U-turns, straight aways, and of course a finish line! Want to make the course tougher? Add some obstacles (small plastic toys, wooden blocks, etc.) on the tracks.
Next, use a small piece of tape to attach magnets to several toy vehicles. (You can tape a small Bar Magnet to the top of a small car or tape a Block Magnet to the back of a larger lightweight car.)
Then, use your Magnet Wand to “drive” the car around the course – without ever touching it. First one to the finish line wins the race!
7. Magnetic Field Explorer Bags
Pour some of the contents of one of our Iron Filings Jars into a large, plastic zip-top bag. Then, let kids take turns moving a Magnet Wand or Bar Magnet over the top of the bag to reveal invisible, one-of-a-kind magnetic fields.
Prefer a 100% mess-free alternative? Check out our completely sealed Magnetic Field Viewing Kit and Mysterious Magnet Tube.
8. Magnetic Treasure Hunt
Give everyone in your group a Magnet Wand, and then send them on an indoor or outdoor treasure hunt! Simply touch the wand to an object to see if it attracts to a magnet. If it does, do five jumping jacks. If it doesn’t, show off your best dance moves! Great for getting the wiggles out while exploring the concept of magnetism!
9. Magnetic Sort ‘N’ Graph
Slip some science (and math) into your summer! Create a pile of small, everyday objects and take turns using a Magnet Wand to separate the objects into two piles: magnetic and non-magnetic. To also sneak in a bit of math, count the items in each pile and make a colorful visual display (graph, diagram, etc.) for your data.
10. Magnetic Bingo
Customize and print your own bingo cards online complete with fun family facts, tidbits about nature, emotion faces, and more. Hand out magnetic chips to use as markers – check out our Magnet Mania set that comes with two wands plus magnetic chips and marbles. Then, watch as players use a Magnet Wand to magically clear their boards in one swoop!
There’s so much to do with a Magnet Wand! Whether you’re filling a lazy afternoon or planning a hands-on summer learning moment, these simple, creative activities offer fun ways to spark curiosity and sneak in a little science.
Want more ideas to keep curious minds engaged? Visit our Amazon Store or browse the Science & Engineering and Summer Learning sections for even more educational inspiration to round out your season.
Tags: classroom magnets , Dowling Magnets , magnet experiments , magnet wand , magnetic wand , magnets , magnets for learning , magnets for science , safe magnets , science magnets , science with magnets , STEM
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