Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) July 28, 2013 -- Every little outdoor enthusiast needs to know how a compass works. Tips about how to make a DIY compass and a DIY compass rose sneak in lots of science learning and are useful for backyard camping or hiking trips.
Materials needed to make the compass are a plastic lid or shallow bowl, a needle or straight pin, a bar magnet, a slice of cork, craft foam, or a piece of styrofoam and some water. Use a knife to slice a flat piece of cork or cut a circle out of the craft foam. The wider the piece the better.
The next step will amaze the kiddos. Make a magnet by rubbing the needle in one direction against the bar magnet. Just slide one direction, then lift up, and repeat. Repeat this about 30 to 40 times to turn the needle into a magnet.
Then pour some water in the shallow plastic lid, place the cork in the water, and slowly put the magnetic needle on top of the cork. It may take the needle a couple of minutes to get balanced well on the cork, but eventually the needle will point to the north.
Making a DIY compass rose is simple. Materials needed are about four different colors of scrapbook paper, a scissor, and some glue. Cut out the stars of the compass according to the image provided on Kids Activities Blog. The tips of the stars will serve as beacons for the cardinal directions. Glue the stars onto cardboard paper with the smaller one on the bottom. Write the cardinal directions on smaller scrapbook pieces and glue them to the tips of the stars according to the template on Kids Activities Blog. Ready is the cool and useful compass rose for the little explorer.
For detailed instructions and to get additional fun projects for kids, check out Kids Activities Blog this week. Come get inspired to let the kids build their own compass.
About Kids Activities Blog
Kids Activities Blog is a website created by two moms (who collectively have 9 children), Rachel Miller and Holly Homer from June Cleaver Nirvana. It is their daily goal to inspire parents and teachers to play with kids. This interactive website publishes simple things to do with kids twice a day. Kids Activities Blog is a great tool for moms and teachers to find kid-friendly activities that create memories and sneak learning into the fun.
Holly Homer, Kids Activities Blog, http://kidsactivitiesblog.com, 940-453-4280, [email protected]
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