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.
About Karen Cox
I love this idea! I can’t wait to try it out! We’ve been doing a similar thing with the Brio Thomas the tank engines by making the trains move on their own when the magnets repel. This will be lots of fun for them to try! Thanks for the great suggestion!
Thanks for commenting, Melinda!
What a great idea for my science center. I could really see my kids getting into this!
Thanks, Katie!
Children are so attracted to magnets aren’t they Karen?! hee hee hee!
But seriously, while your children have an interest in spirals, a wonderful science activity you could do with them is ‘hot air rising’. Our children cut our spirals and held them over a lamp to see how the heat from the globe warms the air, the air rises up through the spiral and causes the spiral to spin … soooo cool!
http://www.playbasedlearning.com.au/2009/10/hot-air-rising/
Donna
Thanks for the idea, Donna! Love your site!
Wow, I might be on holidays now but I’m glad I found these ideas. Thank you everyone. Have a great year.
Great idea. I haven’t seen this variation on magnet activities. The hanging aspect could certainly give a different dimension to magnet exploration.
And I love the spirals!