MEL Physics Subscription “Magnetic Levitation” Review + Coupon

Mel Physics is a monthly subscription box for kids 8-14+ who would like to learn more about how the world around them works. Through exciting experiments kids can learn all about electrostatic energy, luminescence, reflections, and even invisibility! Each month contains a new experiment and physics lesson for kids to dive into, and will contain everything they need to safely and easily complete at home.

This month we reviewed the Magnetic Levitation box from MEL Physics.

ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: FREEBOX

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)

MEL Physics: Magnetic Levitation

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Levitation. What kid doesn't dream about being able to fly or pretending they have super powers and making objects move? I mean, I'm pretty sure that has to be one of the most common wishes with children from all around the world. Needless to say, my son was pretty excited when he saw the Magnetic Levitation box in the mail! I'll admit, I was excited to see how well this experiment worked also. The magnets they included were small, but strong, and on more than one occasion you could find me playing with the magnets and pushing them around the table by using their opposite poles (I can be an 8-year-old at times).

The Magnetic Levitation box included three experiments that helped to explain how magnets can be used to "levitate" objects. All of the experiments were easy to put together and had a big enough "wow factor" that kept my son engaged. In fact, he had a pretty big smile on his face when he finally got the rod he built to stay suspended in air!

We quickly found out while doing these experiments that you need to be pretty precise with where the magnets are in relation to each other. We had to adjust the rod multiple times to get it in just the right spot in order to keep it up in the air. A little to the left or right and the rod wouldn't float. So, just be aware of this and be patient. They will get it eventually, but might need a little bit of help depending on their age!

MEL Physics Magnetic Levitation Experiments:

Zero Gravity

This first experiment was fun and really easy to put together. The entire thing takes less than five minutes, but is really entertaining to play with.

The first step for all of the experiments is to attach the included color-coded stickers on the correct ends of the magnets. Make sure this part is done correctly, otherwise the experiments can get confusing! The colors allow your child to distinguish the north and south poles quickly and easily when setting up the experiments.

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Once the magnets are ready, you can begin the first experiment! They will first put the stand and base together and then attach the clear tube. Then all they need to do is start adding the magnets to the tube and making sure the colors match each other! It's really that easy and they will love watching the magnets "float" in mid-air!

Delicate Balance

This next experiment was a little bit harder to get right and really needed a lot of adjusting in order to get the magnets in exactly the right spot. The set up is very easy, however, as it is just a few pieces that are snapped together.

Be sure the magnets are attached to the rod with the poles facing the correct way, otherwise it won't levitate.

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Once the pieces are put together, you place the rod in it's holder and watch as it sits magically above the base! The magnets on the rod are both attracted and repelled at the same time in order to keep the rod stationary. I had to help my son with this part and it took us about 10 times of adjusting and re-adjusting the rod with the magnets in order to find it's sweet spot and watch it levitate. Once we got it though, it was great!

Magnetic whirligig

This last experiment was also a bit sensitive and needed pretty precise magnet placements. There really wasn't much set-up as the base and rod of the second experiment is use. You will basically just make the experiment vertical and add a small metal piece to the bottom of the rod and a windmill piece to the top.

Once the rod is standing upright and is stable, you can then use the included straw to blow on the windmill piece and watch as the rod spins on a tiny point without falling! Our set-up didn't stand as straight as in the directions, so need adjusting a few times, but it still worked really well and was great to show how magnets are strong enough to keep an object upright, but also still easily be moved by something as light as wind.

Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?

Yes! The Magnetic Levitation box has been one of our favorites! Not all of the experiments engage my son in the ways I would hope, but this one definitely did and encouraged questions. He is at an age where he still wants fun and games with things like this, but is starting to understand the ways of the world around him. I think the magnetic levitation box was really able to blend these two areas together and let him have fun while also being engaging.

There are also always additional experiments that you can do online with these boxes if your child really takes to one of the experiments. This particular box had a paperclip and small metal plate where you could test the magnetic strength of the magnets. These additional experiments can be found online and are a nice addition to the box.

The Cost: $34.90

ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: FREEBOX

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available. From Mel Physics:

"Your first package will arrive within 2 weeks of registration. Subsequent monthly packages will be delivered within 2 weeks of each monthly charge."

What do you think of MEL Physics? Let us know below!