Magna-Tiles + Patio Chair Experiment

Posted on by

We explored magnetic attraction with Magna-Tiles on a patio chair! Here is what we learned…

After realizing that Magna-Tiles “stick” to the outdoor furniture, Magna-Tects had fun decorating the chair! Some pieces stayed better than others… can you predict which ones?

We were sure that the Magna-Tiles were magnetically attracted to the chair but it took balance, steady hands and a little bit of practice to position them just right.  Sometimes when we put a Magna-Tiles piece on, it slid right down on it’s side! It was like a slide! The back of the lawn chair was curved and the pieces stuck much better on flat surfaces than where the metal was curved.

The isosceles triangle is longer than the right or equilateral… it stayed in place much more easily when it was laid flat rather than hanging vertically on it’s side.

We predicted the large square to be the most difficult to balance! It is the biggest piece… it has the largest surface area! We were able to position it in the middle of the chair and it stayed!… until there was a little bit of wind and it slid down again!

It was fun to test which shapes had the most success and what happened when we rotated and laid them out differently. The right triangle stayed even when we doubled it’s weight – by stacking two pieces together! The square was very stable and the equilateral triangle had the most success. It even hung on by one corner on the rounded bar – we were able to add one more, doubling the weight and it stayed!

Here is a view from the top! Looking down at the pieces… interesting!

Lastly, we experimented with how close together we could position the Magna-Tiles before they clicked together! Magnets are fun!

Pyramids

Posted on by

Many Magna-Tiles castles are decorated with pyramids at the top! Did you know that pyramids are named after the shape of their BASE!?

This Triangular Pyramid = EQUILATERAL triangle as a base

Square Pyramid = small square as a base

Challenge your children to make a triangular pyramid and a square pyramid using equilateral triangles as the sides! Would these pyramids be TALLER or SHORTER than pyramids with isosceles triangles as sides? Visualize what it would look like and then make it with Magna-Tiles to find out if you are right!

Magna-Tiles Challenge

Posted on by

How can we make the same shape using ONLY triangles??

We can use right triangles instead of squares! Two right triangles (parts) cover one small square (whole)!

One right triangle is half of a square. We need four right triangles! Play and LEARN!

Describe what changed from the first to second design.

Show me where there is a vertical line of symmetry.

Gingerbread Magna-Tiles

Posted on by

Gingerbread Magna-Tiles were inspired by a play date where children built an amazing Azkaban Prison (from Harry Potter) out of Magna-Tiles.

I decided to create gingerbread Magna-Tiles for them to build their own haunted houses with during a cooking project/play date at our house.  Instead of magnets, of course, Royal Icing dyed grey would be used.  The recipe for the gingerbread is the same one I used last year.  It is so delicious and is perfect for building.

It was a very creative and sugar filled play date… click the link for the full blog post and instructions!

Re-Building Magna-Tiles

Posted on by

No two Magna-Tiles Creations are the same! What happens when you accidentally knock down your structure or your dog comes over and hits your castle with his tail? Time to rebuild!

Sometimes, we are glad when this happens! At first, children might feel frustrated or discouraged but do not give up! Start building again! Rebuilding a creation is an opportunity to change or improve your design! Maybe a different shape will look better or provide more support! Maybe you have a different idea that you’d like to implement this time around! Or maybe you’d just like to change the colors of the pieces to make a cool pattern! Magna-Tects are smart!

As Magna-Tects spend more time playing and building, they will learn new techniques to creating big, beautiful structures! Does it make a difference which direction you build in or how you align the walls? Challenge yourself!

Magna-Tiles Clear Colors Collage

Magna-Tiles Hexagon

Posted on by

This Magna-Tiles Shape is a Hexagon! It has 6 Sides and 6 Vertices.

We call it IRREGULAR because all of the sides are not the same length and the angles are not equal. When all Sides are Equal and all Angles are Equal, we call it Regular.Valtech Magna-Tiles Blue Irregular Hexagon

Make this Shape! Pieces Needed:

  • 4 Right Triangles
  • 2 Small Squares

This Shape reminds us of a football! Challenge your Children: What Shape would we make if we removed the 2 Small Squares from the middle? Practice Visualization!

Think… we would have 4 Right Triangles connected with each of their hypotenuse facing outward. Each hypotenuse is the same length… that means that the Shape will have four equal length sides. You can also look at the Irregular Hexagon and visualize Half of each Small Square being taken away.  This is because we know that 2 Right Triangles put together makes 1 Small Square!

Visualize what this would look like in your head… and then make it with Magna-Tiles!

Answer: A Square!