Experiment 42 from We Are Teachers - 75 Easy Science Experiments

42. Create a simple compass

You need a sewing needle, a magnet, a small bowl of water, and a piece of cork or a bottle cap. Rub the needle with the magnet to magnetize it, place it on the cork or cap, and float it on the water. The needle aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field, showing kids how a simple compass works to find north.