Mess Free Magnetic Learning Center

Ever felt like your learning supplies are getting out of control? Maybe becoming a downright mess? Last year I helped The Babe’s preschool teacher clean out their magnet learning bin. Wow. Iron filings and metal parts everywhere. And they are impossible!! to get off. So I thought, there has to be a better way. And so was born this Mess Free Magnetic Learning Center. Everything comes in a customizable, child-proof bottle, just waiting to be explored. And it’s preschooler and preschool teacher approved after it’s first trial run this week.

This post contains affiliate links.

Make this Mess Free Magnetic Learning Center for some fun and easy STEM learning play.

Mess Free Magnetic Learning Center Supplies Needed

  • Empty mouthwash bottles (check for childproof caps)
  • Magnet wands {affiliate}
  • Magnetic materials like ball bearings, pipe cleaners, steel wool, screws, etc.
  • Non-magnetic materials like sand, straws, aluminum foil, etc.
  • CD storage box {affiliate}

Magnetic Bottle Supplies 2 Left Brain Craft Brain

Make Your Magnet Bottles

The first step is to empty out all the mouthwash. I grabbed a jar and saved it for future use. Or you could just have really minty breath today :) Next, remove all the labels. WD-40 {affiliate} is your best friend when it comes to removing labels… Soak the bottles in water for a bit, scrape off what you can and then remove the rest of the gunk with WD-40.

Magnetic Bottles Closeup

Then it’s time to pick your bottle ingredients for your magnetic learning center. Pick a mixture of magnetic and non-magnetic materials. I tried to do a mix of silver and colorful items too. Kids initially will think all the metal like ones are magnetic and the colorful ones aren’t. But whoa, aluminum foil and pipe cleaners blew some of the kid’s minds because they didn’t do what they expected.

Magnetic Learning Center Set Left Brain Craft Brain

I also added our cool Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle which is totally mesmerizing, even for adults. Click over for the magic ingredient we used in this bottle.

magnetic field sensory bottle LBCB

These are great for free exploration and you never know what will happen. My daughter ended up making them into towers and dominoes and tried to knock them down with the wand. And still no mess! If you want to drive some additional science learning, you can ask them to make a hypothesis about which ones will stick to the magnet before they start playing.

Holding Magnet Bottle Left Brain Craft Brain

Now for the gratuitous happy kiddo shot :) Sometimes I like to remind myself that my blog is kind of my photo album and it’s OK to add pics that remind me of the good times we had with a project. Thanks for understanding.

Smiling Magnet Play

Keep It Organized

I happened to have this CD storage box {affiliate} laying around in my house and I discovered that everything fit right in, even the magnet wand. It’s perfect for making a mess free set even less mess free!

Magnet Center Box Left Brain Craft Brain

More STEM Made Fun

While you’ve got the magnets out, try this Magnet Painting Five Minute Craft too!

Magnet Painting

Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math Fun for Kids

Looking for some more STEAM inspiration that use can use right now? Instant gratification style? Check out STEAM Kids: 50+ Hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math Hands-On Projects for Kids ebook! It’s packed full of a year’s worth fun learning activities that will wow the boredom right out of your kids.

Mess Free Magnet Learning Center Collage Left Brain Craft Brain

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