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    Home » Key Stage 2 Science » Forces and Magents » Easy Magnet Powered Cars – Sugru Hack

    Easy Magnet Powered Cars – Sugru Hack

    February 23, 2016 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

    Have you heard of Sugru? It’s a brilliant, mouldable glue that feels like play dough but acts like super glue and sticks to wood, plastic, glass, metal, ceramic and even fabric. It’s also dishwasher proof, saltwater proof, electrically insulating and is available in lots of different colours so you can match it with whatever you are fixing or creating. We used it to make a LEGO wall and magnet-powered cars!

    Easy Magnetic Cars

    To make a magnet-powered car, you’ll need a toy car, Sugru and two magnets.

    Choose a car you don’t mind damaging as the sugru and magnet may damage the car.

    Toy car and 3 packs of sugru, mouldable glue on a lego road base plate

    Use the sugru to attach a magnet to a car and then use a second magnet to move the car along without the magnets touching.

    Magnet Car Challenges

    • Race a friend to the finish line, we drew a race track on a large sheet of paper and raced each other.
    magnetic cars with magnets attached on a hand drawn race track
    • Time how long it takes your car to cover a set distance. Try to improve this time by using the magnet wand in different places. Position it on the top of the magnet, to the front and behind. Which works the best?

    This video shows the cars in action; we love them!

    Magnet powered boats

    Magnet powered boats are a fun twist on the car activity too! I made this one using superglue to attach a small magnet to a washing-up sponge.

    Magnet powered boat for a science activity to learn about magnetism

    Quick magnet facts

    Remember magnets attract some metals but NOT all! Iron, nickel and steel are attracted to magnets.

    Magnets have two ends called poles – a north pole and a south pole.

    Two poles the same repel each other.

    Two different poles attract each other.

    Sugru LEGO Wall

    I have tried several times to make a LEGO wall, the first time,e I used velcro, which stuck for a short time but couldn’t hold much weight, the second time, I tried very strong double-sided tape, which also didn’t work. This time I tried Sugru, and it worked!! All three of my children have played with the board, and it’s still stuck to the wall; II am VERY impressed. Now I need to find a more prominent wall and use more base plates.

    Thanks to Sugru for sending us a sample

    Magnetic-cars-sugru-hack

     

    Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

    « Pneumatic K’nex Crane
    How to make a Squeezy Bottle Rocket »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle Twin Mum

      February 25, 2016 at 9:50 am

      I’ve heard of Sugru before but not tried it, these look fab. Mich x

      Reply
    2. [email protected]

      February 25, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Wow. I’m very impressed and my boys would love to try this.

      Reply
    3. Emma

      February 25, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      We love Sugru, it’s such great stuff! The possibilities really are endless! 😀

      Reply

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