Navigate your way through summer by building your own compass! Buy a craft bag in the gift shop or do it at home! Each month we will do a new craft! On scheduled open gallery days, kids can do the craft in Kids Cove!
Sailors used compasses to navigate the seat. A compass is a tool for finding direction. A simple compass is a magnetic needle mounted on a short pin. The needle, which can spin freely, always points north.
What is a magnetized needle? When you rub the needle with your magnet, a little bit of magnetic material will be left behind on the needle. This creates a magnetized needle. For the needle to act as a compass, it needs to be placed in an environment with less friction, which in this case is the water. The opposite poles of the needle are attracted to the Earth’s magnetic field!
Supply List:
- Cardboard box
- Jar
- Magnet
- Needle
- Water
- Foam
- Paint
Need some supplies? Order the craft bag with everything you’ll need for this activity!
Craft Guide
Here’s how to do it.
- Take the “North” side of your bar magnet and place it on your needle. Starting at the top of the needle, slide the side of the bar magnet along the length of the needle. Repeat several times.
- Turn the needle upside down and use the opposite end of the magnet and repeat the same process.
- Have an adult thread the needle through the foam circle. This will cause the needle to float on top of the water.
- Fill the jar halfway with water.
- Place the needle on top of the water. Watch as the tip of the needle spins to point north.
- Paint the cardboard box to look like a compass case.
- Place compass inside.
- Now you can always find which way North!