This spell can make a target hover or levitate, and it’s probably one of the more recognized spells from the books and movies. “It’s leviOsa, not levioSA.”

In our activity, we are going to levitate a paper clip using the force of magnets. The force of a magnet will pull the paper clip up, while the force of gravity will pull the paper clip down. There is a sweet spot where the force of the magnet is about balanced with the force of gravity. We can use a piece of string to hold the paper clip at this spot where the two forces will make the paper clip hover or levitate. 

Here is what we’ll do.

  1. Gather supplies
    • Cardboard box
    • Strong magnet (look for a neodymium magnet)
    • Paper clip
    • String
    • Tape
    • Feather (optional, but fun)
  2. Tape the magnet to the top of the box on the outside. 
  3. Tie a piece of string to the paper clip.
  4. From inside the box, put the paper clip at the top of the box next to the magnet so that it is touching the top of the box and attached.
  5. Gently pull down on the string so that the paper clip is no longer touching the box and is hovering. Secure the string to the bottom of the box with a piece of tape.
  6. Attach the feather to the paper clip, if desired. 

Watch here: