Floating Magnets STEM Activity: Exploring Magnetic Force for Kids

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Looking for a hands-on science activity that’s simple, surprising, and full of wow factor? This floating magnets STEM activity is a great way to teach kids about magnetic force and repelling polarity while sparking curiosity and creative thinking.

We gave this classic science demo a fun twist by turning the magnets into “apples” to pair with Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss—but the learning can stand completely on its own. It’s perfect for early elementary through upper elementary and makes an awesome intro to invisible forces in physics.

What Is Magnetic Repulsion?

Magnets have two poles—north and south. Opposite poles attract, but like poles repel. When you place ring magnets on a stick with like poles facing, the magnetic force pushes them apart. That’s what makes them float!

This STEM activity lets kids see this invisible force in action as they stack magnets and watch them hover without touching.

Supplies to Make Floating Magnets

• 10–11 ring magnets (look for ceramic or plastic ring magnets)

• 1 wooden skewer or chopstick

• Play dough, clay, or a cardboard box to hold the stick upright

• Optional: red paper or stickers to make “apples” for a fun theme

• Ruler or measuring tape (optional for STEM extension)

How to Set It Up

1. Secure your stick
   Push the wooden skewer into play dough or poke it into a box so it stands upright like a pole.

2. Start stacking magnets
   Slide one ring magnet to the bottom of the stick.

3. Flip the polarity
   For the next magnet, flip it upside down so that the poles repel. Instead of resting on the first, it will float above it!

4. Continue stacking
   Repeat this process, flipping each magnet before adding it. You’ll see them hover and bounce on the invisible force!

5. Optional: Decorate
   Cut small paper apples or themed decorations to tape onto the magnets for seasonal or story-inspired fun.

Just for fun, we put some little apples onto our magnets.  I just taped them to the side before stacking them.

As you add more magnets they are pushed closer together, but still repel each other.

Science Questions to Ask

• Why don’t the magnets touch each other?

• What happens when you flip a magnet the other way?

• Can you make all the magnets float equally?

• How many magnets can you stack before the top one falls?

STEM Extensions to Explore

1. Measure the Distance Between Floating Magnets

Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the space between each magnet as you add more.

Challenge:

• Does the distance change the higher you go?

• Graph the results with a simple bar chart.

2. Test Magnet Strength with Added Weight

Gently place small items (like pennies or paperclips) on the top magnet and see how much it takes to make it collapse.

STEM Connection:
This explores how strong the repelling force is and introduces basic physics concepts like force and load.

3. Prediction Game: Will It Attract or Repel?

Before placing a new magnet, have kids guess whether it will repel or attract the magnet below.

Try this:

• Intentionally stack two magnets without flipping one—what happens?

• Talk about pole direction and what’s happening invisibly between the magnets.

4. Creative STEM Twist: Make It a Floating Sculpture

Encourage kids to:

• Turn the magnets into planets for a solar system model

• Create a floating bug, robot, or monster

• Build a themed stack for any holiday or unit study

This adds creativity and design-thinking into your science exploration!

Optional Book Connection: Ten Apples Up On Top

While not required, this activity pairs beautifully with Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss. In the book, characters try to balance apples on their heads—so we used red magnet “apples” to explore the science of stacking in a whole new way!

Real-World Connection: Magnetic Levitation

Introduce kids to real-life applications of this concept:

• Maglev trains use magnetic force to hover and move without touching the tracks.

• Magnetic force is used in everything from headphones to motors to magnetic locks.

Let kids explore further with videos or images of maglev trains in action!

This floating magnets STEM activity is more than just a cool trick—it’s a meaningful, hands-on way to introduce kids to real scientific principles in a visual and memorable way. Whether you’re adding it to a science unit, using it for a STEM center, or just doing it for fun, it’s a hit for all ages.

See over 200 STEM activities for Kids!

Looking for more preschool apple activities to go with the book? Check these ideas out!

Magnet Names Apple Picking – Preschool Powol Packets
Teaching Graphing with Apples– Extremely Good Parenting
2-Ingredient Apple-Scented Play Dough– Rainy Day Mum
Ten Apples Up On Top File Folder Game – Views From a Step Stool
Apple Scented Play Dough – Rainy Day Mum
Play Dough Apple Stacking Activity – Inspiration Laboratories
Science in Motion Apple Game – The Educators’ Spin On It
Apple Color Mixing Science Experiment – Powerful Mothering
Colorful Spin Art Apple Banner for Kids– Toddler Approved
Apple Themed Pre-Writing Activity – Sugar Aunts
Ten Apples Up On Top Gross Motor Game – Still Playing School