Ask Ollie
Float a Needle Compass
Here's one to try together!
Turn a plain needle into a compass that points the way, then go exploring with Ollie!
Reviewed by our team.
Safety first
- sharp sewing needle can prick skin; adult should hand it over and supervise closely
- needle left lying around is a hazard, so store it in a pin cushion
- small magnet and needle could be swallowed by young children
- outdoor walking route requires awareness of surroundings
What you need
- Water, about 2 cups
- Paper, 1 sticky note
- Phone, 1, for checking north (optional)
- Bowl, 1
- Fridge magnet, 1
- Sewing needle, 1
- Small leaf or cork slice, 1
How to do it
Grown-up prep: You will hand over a sharp needle, so stay close the whole time and keep it out of reach of little ones between turns.
- Pour water into the bowl until it is about half full.
- Float the leaf or cork slice in the middle of the water.
- Hold the needle by its eye and stroke it with the magnet. Ask for help if you need it
- Lift the magnet high away after every single stroke. Ask for help if you need it
- Lay the needle gently on top of the floating leaf. Ask: Which way do you think the needle will point?
- Watch the needle spin, then stick a note on the north end.
- Carry the compass outside and walk twenty steps north.
- Now turn and walk ten steps east. Ask: Where do you think you will end up compared with where you started?
- Stop and check where you ended up.
- Tuck the needle safely away. Now challenge a friend to a compass walk! Ask: What secret route will you plan for your friend to follow?
Play it again
- Treasure trail: hide a small toy and write compass directions for a friend to find it.
- Magnet test: stroke the needle the wrong way, back and forth, and see if it still points north.
- Speed round: make a new compass as fast as you can, counting strokes, and see who spins it first.
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