Build a magnetic levitator

What can we use if we don't have popsicle sticks, a drinking straw, or a bottle cap?

Replace the three popsicle sticks with a sturdy folded cardboard rectangle taped along one edge, use a straight wooden skewer or a short piece of rigid plastic tubing instead of the drinking straw, and press the second magnet into a small plastic cup or a trimmed jar lid if you don't have a bottle cap.

The capped magnet won't hover or it sticks to the base — what should we check or try?

Make sure you marked and taped each magnet with the 'repel' faces pointing toward each other, ensure the straw guide is perfectly vertical and taped firmly to the popsicle/cardboard base, trim the straw a little at a time with scissors so the capped magnet can find the floating spot, and add a thin paper scrap under the base magnet if the cap still touches.

How can we adapt the activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?

For preschoolers, have an adult prepare the taped popsicle/cardboard base and press the magnets into the cap so they can decorate and watch the hover, for elementary kids let them mark the repel faces and assemble with supervision, and for older kids encourage experimenting with different magnet sizes and measuring the gap after trimming the straw.

How can we extend or personalize our magnetic levitator once it works?

Decorate the floating cap as a tiny flying saucer with markers and stickers, add a tiny LED and coin cell inside the cap for a glowing effect, or stack thin paper shims under the base magnet to create an adjustable levitation height and record a video to share on DIY.org.