magnetic experiments for elementary school

20 Cool Magnet Science Experiments That Kids Will Love

Welcome to our list of the most interesting magnetic science experiments, specially curated to electrify the curiosity of future physicists!

Magnets offer a tangible and captivating way to explore the principles of physics.

Our diverse selection of the top magnet science experiments caters to learners of all ages, and these hands-on, educational activities promise not only to enhance your understanding of magnetism but also to spark a lifelong fascination with physics.

So, grab your magnets and join us on this thrilling journey of magnetic exploration!

1. Levitron

Imagine a world where objects levitate and spin with mesmerizing grace. With this hands-on experiment, you’ll learn how to create your very own Levitron from scratch, harnessing the power of magnetism to make the impossible possible.

2. Icy Magnets

Don’t miss out on the chance to unleash your scientific curiosity and witness the awe-inspiring fusion of ice and magnetism! Grab your gloves, embrace the chill, and join us on this frosty expedition of icy magnets.

Learn more: Icy Magnets

3. Is it Magnetic or Not-Magnetic Experiment

Prepare to unravel the mysteries of magnetism with the captivating experiment, “Is It Magnetic or Not Magnetic?” Embark on a journey where you’ll test the magnetic properties of various objects, challenging your scientific instincts.

4. Magnetic Treasure Hunt

This hands-on experiment will not only ignite your sense of exploration but also deepen your understanding of magnetic fields and their effects. Join us as we combine the thrill of a scavenger hunt with the wonders of magnetism.

Learn more: Magnetic Treasure Hunt

5. Spinning Pen

Imagine the thrill of defying gravity as you witness a humble pen transform into a gravity-defying acrobat, twirling and spinning in mid-air. This hands-on adventure will not only ignite your passion for science but also unlock endless possibilities.

6. Magnetic Pendulum

Science meets art, where a simple pendulum becomes an extraordinary conductor of magnetic forces.

7. Magnetic Levitation

Feel the exhilaration as you control the magnetic forces and guide your pencil through the air. It’s a mind-bending experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eager to explore the wonders of magnetism.

Learn more: Magnetic Levitation

8. Magnetic Slime

Get ready to unleash the ultimate magnetic gooeyness with our magnetic slime experiment! Whether you’re a budding scientist or just a slime enthusiast, this magnetic slime experiment will leave you magnetized with excitement and wonder.

9. DIY Magnetic Sensory Bottles

Dive into the magical realm of DIY Magnetic Sensory Bottles and let your curiosity flow. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create your own magnetic masterpiece and unlock scientific marvels!

10. Magnet Maze

As you navigate the maze, you’ll witness the captivating interactions between magnets and magnetic objects, unraveling the secrets of magnetism along the way. So, gather your wits, embrace the challenge, and join us on this thrilling journey through the Magnet Maze.

11. Magnet Powered Car

This hands-on adventure will ignite your curiosity and fuel your understanding of magnetic forces. Discover the principles of magnetism in action as you witness the thrilling movement of your very own magnet-powered vehicle.

12. Make a Compass

By constructing your own compass using a magnet, you will gain invaluable insight into the principles of magnetism and its role in navigation. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to engage in a timeless experiment and navigate the path to scientific knowledge with your very own compass creation.

Learn more: Make a Compass

13. DIY Magnetic Water

This hands-on experiment not only deepens your understanding of magnetic forces but also offers a unique opportunity to explore the potential benefits of magnetized water.

14. Magnet Trampoline

Engage in this extraordinary exploration to unlock the secrets of magnetism while experiencing the sheer joy of defying gravity. Embrace the challenge, and let the magnetic trampoline launch you into a world of scientific wonder.

Learn more: Magnet Trampoline

15. Magic Pipe Cleaners

Prepare to witness the captivating powers of magnetism as you explore the extraordinary ability to lift objects using a magnet and a clear canister.

16. Make an Electromagnet

In this hands-on experiment, you will unravel the intricate relationship between electric currents and magnetic fields, witnessing the transformative power of electromagnetism.

Learn more: Make an Electromagnetic

17. Magnet Painting

By incorporating magnets into your artistic process, you will witness the enchanting interactions between magnetic fields and paint, resulting in unique and dynamic compositions.

Learn more: Magnet Painting

18. Magnetic Doddles

By using magnetic materials and drawing tools, you will witness the captivating interactions between magnets and metallic particles, resulting in vibrant and dynamic doodles.

This hands-on experiment not only deepens your understanding of magnetic forces but also nurtures artistic expression, fine motor skills, and innovative thinking.

Learn more: Magnetic Doddles

19. Spinning Magnetic Coin

Prepare to witness the captivating interaction of magnets and a simple coin as it defies gravity and spins in a spellbinding manner.

20. The Christmas Bell Game

Embrace this opportunity to merge scientific inquiry with the joyous atmosphere of the holidays, as you unravel the secrets of magnetism while immersed in the enchanting realm of the Christmas Bell Game.

Learn more: The Christmas Bell Game

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Magnet Experiments for Kids

Did you know that one of the great inspirations for Albert Einstein’s curiosity as a child was his discovery of the magnetic forces that control a compass? Today we want to embrace our own passion for learning and discovery, and foster that all important curiosity, as we explore magnet experiments and science.

Magnet Science for Kids

Table of Contents

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Why did the magnet go to school?

Because it wanted to attract some knowledge!

What is Magnetism? What are Magnets?

Magnets are really cool objects that have a special power called magnetism. It allows them to stick to certain things and even make things move without touching them!

A magnet is usually made of a material called iron. Iron has special properties that make it magnetic. A magnet has two ends called poles. One end is called the North pole, and the other is called the South pole… just like the Earth !

When you bring two magnets close together, something interesting happens. If you try to put the North pole of one magnet close to the North pole of another magnet, they push each other away. Another way to say this is that they repel each other, known as repulsion. But if you put the North pole of one magnet close to the South pole of another magnet, they pull towards each other and stick together, this is called attraction.

Magnets can also stick to certain things like metal objects. This is because there are tiny invisible things called electrons inside those objects. When a magnet gets close to a metal object, it can make the electrons inside the object move a little bit. This makes the metal object act like a magnet allowing them to attract.

You can find magnets in lots of places. You might have magnets on your fridge that hold up your artwork or pictures. Magnets are also used in some toys. Our favourite magnet toy is Magna Tiles !

Quick Fun Magnet Game:  Grab a magnet wand and have your kids run around home or the classroom and look for magnetic items. How many different objects can they find that have magnetic properties?

Magnets are special objects that can stick to certain things, attract and repel each other, and even make things move. They’re like a magical force that can do some really cool things!

What is Earth’s Magnetic Field?

Did you know Earth is a big magnet? Just like a regular magnet, Earth also has a magnetic field. This magnetic force is invisible, but it’s all around us. Think of it like a big bubble that covers Earth. It stretches from deep inside our planet and goes all the way up into space.

You know how magnets have a north pole and a south pole? Well, Earth’s magnetic field is just like that. It has a north pole and a south pole too.

The magnetic field is important because it protects us from some harmful things in space. The Sun sends out lots of things called solar winds, which are like a stream of particles. These solar winds carry electrically charged particles called cosmic radiation, and if they reached Earth’s surface, they could be dangerous. You can see incredible displays of our protective bubble at work when you look at the Northern Lights .

Thanks to the magnetic field, it acts like a shield and stops most of these particles from coming down to Earth. It keeps us safe by diverting those particles around our planet. It’s like wearing a strong armor that protects us from harm.

Not only does the magnetic field protect us, but it also helps animals like birds and turtles find their way during long journeys. Some of them have a special ability to sense the magnetic field, kind of like having a built-in compass.

Magnet Lesson Vocabulary Review

Magnet: A magnet is an object that has the ability to attract and repel. It has two ends called the north pole and the south pole. When two magnets come close together, opposite poles attract each other, while similar poles repel each other. Magnets can be either natural, like lodestone, or man-made, like the magnets on your refrigerator.

Magnetic: The definition of “magnetic” is something that has the properties or characteristics of a magnet. It can describe objects or materials that are capable of being attracted to or influenced by magnets. Magnetic materials, such as iron have the ability to be magnetized or interact with magnetic fields. Additionally, “magnetic” can be used to describe the behavior or effects associated with magnetism, such as magnetic forces or fields.

Attraction:  When magnets attract, they want to stick together. Magnetic attraction is when like fields are brought together. 

Repulsion:  When magnets repel, they push each other away. This occurs when opposite fields, or different polarities, are brought close together.

Magnet Experiments

So now we have learned about magnets, let’s explore magnetism in science and do some experiments and projects. These are always great fun and students always find experiments with magnets really exciting. We love a project that gets kids excited to learn!

WARNING: Magnets are very dangerous if swallowed. Never, ever place magnets in your mouth, and don’t allow any young children to use magnets that can not do so safely. Small magnets in particular are very dangerous and easy to swallow. Strong magnets can also pinch fingers as they can attract strongly and suddenly. Always use caution and adult supervision.

Magnetic compass

Channel your inner Einstein and learn how to make a simple magnetic compass . This is a fun way to explore the magnetic forces by making your own compass.

Wingardium Leviosa

Is your kid waiting for their owl? Why not start with a charms class now and practice Wingardium Leviosa with this experiment that plays with paper clips and magnetic forces.

Flying Ghosts is a spooky twist on the Wingardium Leviosa experiment.

Jitter Bugs

This is a wonderful project that allows students to really play with magnetic forces as they try to get perpetual motion as their bugs jitter and dance around thanks to magnet science! It is also a wonderful STEM project where students can build their STEM mastery in Engineering and Math.

We love our lady bugs so much, we also decided to make a Spider magnetic science STEM Project , with the spider that dances and swings on a web.

Make It Move

This is a fun challenge for kids called Make it Move, that includes a magnetism component . The goal is to figure out how to move toy cars down a track without touching them. One option is to use magnets!

Electromagnetic Crane

For your more advanced students, including middle grade and high school students, challenge them to take magnetism to the next level with electromagnetic circuits. Then turn it into an incredible Electromagnet Crane Project .

Magnetic Painting

Another idea like Make it Move is to put little pile of paint (do a few piles of different colours for extra fun!) on a paper plate or sheet of cardstock. Then place a magnet on top of the plate between the paint. Using a magnet wand, move the top magnet through the paint to create a special piece of art. Another version is magnet marble painting .

Troll Bogey’s Magnetic Slime

We love to have fun with our science around here, and in this project we couldn’t make a normal magnetic slime, nope, we turned ours into a Harry Potter inspired project with Troll Bogey magnetic slime ! So grossly awesome!

Simple Magnet Experiment

One of the best ways to learn about magnets is to explore with them! We mentioned earlier a great game where you give kids a magnet wand and send them around to find all the things they can that are magnetic.

Another simple project is to gather some metal filings and place them in a bottle. Using a magnet or magnet wand, drag it around the outside of the bottle and see what happens to the filings. Now what happens if you try using two magnets? For an extra twist try adding some water to the bottle and see what happens when you put the magnet on the outside of the bottle. If you have a magnet that fits inside a straw, try sliding the magnet into the straw then into the bottle. What happens?

More magnet activity ideas from some of our STEM friends!

Build an Electromagnet – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnetic Magic – Spinning Pen – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnetic Train – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnet Maze – Pacman Game – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Magnet Pendulum – Teach Beside Me

Bouncing Magnets – Babble Dabble Do

Magnetic Sculptures – Babble Dabble Do

Heavy Metal Art with magnets and iron filings – Babble Dabble Do

Looking for More Easy Science Experiments?

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

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10 Fantastic Magnet Experiments for Kids

July 14, 2015 By Emma Vanstone 7 Comments

Our magnet wands are one of our most used pieces of science kit and are perfect for all kinds of magnet experiments and investigations. When my children were little, they wandered around the house “testing” things to see if they were magnetic, and then we went through a phase of magnet-powered cars , boats and anything else we could make move.

Magnets are great for experiments and investigative activities as children can feel the force between them but can’t see it, which can feel almost magical!

If you like these, don’t forget we’ve got 100s more free science experiments and activities to try.

Magnet Experiments for Preschoolers

Magnet maze.

Magnet mazes are fantastic as they are super easy to make and can be themed to the child’s interest. We’ve had lots of fun with mini magnet mazes over the years, but there’s nothing to stop you from making a giant version!

LEGO magnet mazes are great fun too!

Crazy Pipe Cleaner Hair

Draw a head of a person and give them a new hairstyle using a magnet wand and some pipe cleaners.

Magnet Scavenger Hunt

We love this magnetic scavenger hunt from Inspiration Laboratories.

Another idea is to hide magnetic items and add clues or codes for children to break, leading them to the next thing.

Magnet Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are great fun for little ones, and these magnet sensory bottles are extra special. Move the magnet wand up and down, and the objects that are attracted to the magnet also move up and down!

How strong is a magnet?

Find out how strong your magnet is using felt squares. Investigate how many felt squares it takes to stop two magnet wands from being attracted to each other.

Another idea is to set up an investigation using different types of magnets and materials.

Ice and Magnet Experiments

This ice and magnet activity from Little Bins for Little Hands looks great fun.

Car Track Magnet Game

This car track magnet game is brilliant fun for young children. Print the track and cut out the cars to make it super easy, or draw your own track.

Find a story to recreate

We recently watched an episode of The Clangers where the Iron Chicken gets trapped in a pile of space rubbish. Straight away, my little girls disappeared to recreate the scene with our magnets and a stash of toys.

They created a magnet fishing rod using a stick and some string. Used plastic toys for space rubbish and made an ‘Iron chicken’ using kitchen foil with a magnet inside. It wasn’t entirely accurate to the story, but they did very well with the resources they had.

During the episode, Small and Tiny first use nets to clear the space junk to free the Iron Chicken, but their nets break. We used the opportunity to discuss materials that might have strengthened the nets. Major Clanger then uses a magnet to collect the space rubbish. The girls predicted correctly that the space rubbish would weigh down the flying music boat!

Magnet Experiments for Older Children

This magnetic slime and electromagnetic train Frugal Fun for Boys looks AMAZING!!

Extract iron from breakfast cereal . Remember to be very careful using strong magnets.

Babble Dabble Do has some incredible magnet tricks that are like magic!

Did you know you can use magnets to defy gravity ? Can you see how the cardboard and paperclip seem to be floating?

If you’re looking for a great magnet set, this one from Learning Resources is our absolute favourite!

Can you think of any more magnet experiments for us?

Last Updated on October 17, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

July 15, 2015 at 9:22 am

Great set of ideas for magnetism – do you have any recommendations of where to get good magnets for kids from that allow open-ended exploration?

July 18, 2015 at 10:43 am

Wow! I just discovered your site…so much great science stuff! My 3yo says that he is a science kid (like Sid!) so thank you for all of the great ideas even for the little ones!

July 23, 2015 at 6:17 am

I read your tips to learning about magnetism is very helpful to connect two magnetism each other Also read your baby picture made so cute in television

October 29, 2015 at 2:10 am

😀 that idea of moving picture is nice. Amazing article. Enjoyed reading.

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20 Fun Magnet Activities, Ideas, and Experiments for Kids

April 20, 2023 //  by  Sophie Hurford

For many kids, their first encounter with magnetism comes in the form of fridge magnets. It often sparks their curiosity and provides you with a perfect opportunity to kickstart learning about magnetism. Magnets and their uses are fascinating, and for students the learning opportunities are vast.

So, to help you navigate your way through a topic on magnets, we have put together a list of magnet activities, ideas, and experiments guaranteed to magnetize young minds. Whatever age or stage your students, the list is sure to include activities that will attract their attention and repel any magnetic misconceptions.

1. Magnetic Treasure Hunt

Armed with a magnetic wand, send your students out to the sand tray and see what treasures they can find buried in the sand. You can hide various metal objects such as toy cars, coins, or even magnetic letters and numbers.

Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime

2. Magnetic Materials in the Environment

Explore magnetic materials around your learning environment. With a magnetic wand in hand, students can investigate which surfaces their magnets stick to. It provides hours of fun, and it’s a great way to highlight common misconceptions. Will your students discover any metallic surfaces to which their magnet is not attracted too?

Learn More: Arbor Scientific

3. Mystery Magnets

Create a mystery box filled with magnetic objects. Students can lower their magnet into the box, and pull out a magnetic object. They might be surprised by the objects that appear. Once some items have been revealed, can your students spot any properties that they have in common?

4. Magical Magnetics

This activity explores the magic of magnets and illustrates how they are used in the entertainment industry. Don your magician’s cloak and perform a magnetic magic trick for your students. It could be a classic such as jumping beans or an object mysteriously moving across a surface unaided. Once you’ve divulged your secrets, your students can then have a turn at creating their own incredible magnet tricks.

Learn More: YouTube

5. Magnetic or Not

Important scientific skills include prediction and investigation. This activity practices both. Give your students a selection of objects and ask them to predict which they think are magnetic or not. Their investigation might throw up a few surprises.

Learn More: Inventors of Tomorrow

6. Environmental Clear-up  

If you’re lucky enough to live close to a beach or a river, why not team up with a local environmental charity. Take part in beachcombing or riverbed clearance. Metal detectors and large magnets are used to retrieve metal waste from these environments. And seeing this in action gives students a real-life application of magnets and a purpose for learning.

7. Wire up your own Electromagnet

This activity is great for older students who are learning about electromagnets. They can build their own electromagnet and explore different variables that affect their magnetic field and the orientation of its poles.

Learn More: Science Bob

8. Make your own Fridge Magnet

Making your own fridge magnets is a great introduction to the topic, and they’ll look great too! Once your students have decorated their kitchen appliances, encourage them to think of other ways in which magnets are used and start to explore how they work.

Learn More: Fabulessly Frugal

9. Compass Navigation

Lose yourselves in a compass navigation activity. Explore the science behind how a compass works and use it to navigate out in the wild. It’s great fun and your students can learn a life skill along the way.

Learn More: Tinkergarten

10. Lego Magnet Mazes

All you’ll need for this activity is some Lego, some magnet marbles, and a magnet wand. Build a magnet maze using the Lego and challenge your students to guide the magnetic marbles around the maze. This type of activity is great for developing motor skills in young children. You can build a mini magnet maze, for fine motor development, or a large maze to encourage gross movements.

Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands

11. Magnetic Fishing

For this activity, you will need to make your own magnet fishing rod, and a ‘fishing lake’ (or classroom tray) filled with your choice of magnetic items. Magnet letters or numbers are a fun place to start. Get your kids to lower their magnetic rods into the lake and pull out to reveal their catch.

Learn More: Busy Toddler

12. DIY Compass

Another fun way to learn about compasses and magnetism is to make your own compass. This activity walks you through the steps to ensure you don’t get lost.

Learn More: British Broadcasting Corporation

13. Magnet Mark Making

Mark making is an important activity for children as they’re learning to draw, write and hold a pen . This magnet painting activity introduces the concept of magnetism and encourages mark-making.

Learn More: Left Brain, Craft Brain

14. Magnet Marble Painting 

Here’s another fun magnet painting activity to tap into your kids’ creative sides whilst learning about science. Get your hands on a magnetic marble, a piece of paper, a few drops of paint and a magnet, and you’ll be ready to go!

Learn More: Kitchen Floor Crafts

15. Iron Filing Art

Iron filings are often used in science lessons to illustrate magnet fields. When a magnet is placed amongst the iron filings, patterns will form showing where the magnetic forces are at work. Different types of magnets will create different patterns, and strong magnets will produce more vivid effects. Have a go at creating a piece of art and explore the properties of magnets at the same time.

Learn More: Babble Dabble Do

16. Sensory Bottles

Sensory bottles are a common tool in classrooms to help calm students . You can create a magnet sensory bottles to use for mindfulness activities and that also teaches children about magnetism. Simply fill a plastic bottle with some magnetic objects and follow these instructions. Kids can then use a magnet to attract different objects that are hiding in the bottle.

Learn More: Twinkl

17. More Magnetic Magic

This activity will keep kids entertained for hours. Show them how to set it up and provide them with a set of magnets that vary in strength. They can then experiment to see how many paper clips they can levitate.

Learn More: Mom Brite

18. Magnetics Sculptures

Another magnet craft activity that teaches science and taps into kids’ creativity. Use a magnet as the base and build upwards. It’s a fun activity that you can use to introduce a lesson on magnetism.

19. Magnet Cars

Spark your little brainiacs’ curiosity with this activity that’s based on the principle of attraction and repulsion. Challenge them to build and customize toy cars with a few bar magnets before encouraging them to test out their designs by racing them around a homemade track.

20. A Magical Spinning Pencil 

This is a great STEAM project. Engineering the set-up of this project is a challenge of its own. Your kids will be forced to use a wide range of thinking skills and then apply their knowledge of magnetism to get the pencil spinning.

Learn More: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

15 Magnetic Science Projects

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of magnets! Learn about the strength of magnetic fields, explore how it affects plants, discover how to build a motor using magnets and more!

Browse Magnetic Science Projects

Take a look at the wide range of magnetic projects, complete with detailed instructions and accompanying videos. These projects are not only fantastic options for students' science fair projects but also serve as a fun and hands-on way for kids to learn about magnets!

More related science projects

40 Fun Magnet Experiments and Play Ideas

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FUN Magnet Science Experiments and Activities

Magnetic Marble Mazes : For this activity you need magnet wands and magnetic marbles , plus my printable mazes !

Animal Magnet Face Drawings : These are reminiscent of the old funny face magnet toy I had as a kid. It’s fun & easy to make, plus kids love it!

The Magnet Bell Game : We used our magnet wands for this one, too, as well as some small colored bells . This does NOT have to be a Christmas game. 🙂

This Cow Magnet in a Bottle Experiment was loads of fun! My kids LOVED this magnet experiment.

Stacking Levitating Magnets : this magnet experiment uses  ring magnets , a wooden skewer and play dough.

Milk Cap Magnet Boats : Save your milk and bottle caps for this playful magnet experiment in water.

This  Magnet Pendulum : another great use for the magnet wands! This experiment tests to see which direction the wand swings when you move the magnets around. The magnetic force makes the wand swing in different patterns. It’s so fun to watch and to play with! Watch it in action:

Magnet Science Fun for Kids – The magnet bottle experiment is an easy one to put together with things you may already have in your house You just need an empty plastic bottle, pipe cleaners, and a strong magnet that will attract the pipe cleaners. The attractive force of the magnet will pick up the pipe cleaners through the bottle!

Simple Machines Gear & Magnet Play for Kids : Use magnets to attach gears to a white board.

My kids like to collect small household objects and see which ones stick to the magnets.  You could chart them in two columns.

You can have them try to put the same poles of the magnets together and see what happens.  Then try with opposite poles- what’s the difference? Teach them the terms repel & attract.

See if they can make them move things with magnets. There is a fun experiment to get cars moving with magnets on this website.

Here are directions to make your own compass out of a magnet.

More Awesome Magnet Teaching and Play Ideas:

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

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New follower from the Friday Blog Hop! 🙂 Jen @ My Secret Home

Thanks for linking up to the NOBH:). My kids love magnets too. Going to check out the site on making your own compass my 2 would love that:)

Magnets are alot of fun and love your ideas! Thanks for linking up to NOBH! Happy Mother’s Day!

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Science Projects > Physics & Engineering Projects > All About Magnets Science  

All About Magnets Science

Magnet science in action.

Magnets are solid objects of stone, metal, or other material, which have the property of attracting iron-containing materials. This attracting property is either natural, as in the case of lodestone, or induced (formed by unnatural means). You can demonstrate the science of magnets at home, by producing and testing the strength of a magnetic field.

Magnet Science Projects

Project 1: what’s the attraction.

All magnets have the ability to attract other magnets or magnetic objects  (such as iron and some other metal objects). But a magnet doesn’t necessarily have to touch a magnetic object for the object to be attracted to it. Try this experiment to learn why.

What You Need:

• Plastic or wooden ruler
• Two or more different magnets

What You Do:

1. Line the paperclip up along the end of the ruler so that one side of the paperclip is at the ruler’s zero mark.

2. Place one magnet at the other end of the ruler. Now, hold the ruler in place with one hand and slowly slide the magnet toward the paperclip with your other hand. When the paperclip attaches to the magnet, stop moving the magnet.

3. Look at where the magnet was at along the ruler to see how far apart the magnet and paperclip were when they came together. (You might need to try it a few times before you are sure!) Write down the distance in your notebook. Draw a picture of the magnet that you used so you will remember which one it was.

4. Do steps 1-4 again with each of the magnets that you have.

What Happened:

All magnets have a magnetic field  – an area around a magnet where its magnetism affects other objects. By measuring how far the magnet was from the paperclip when they become attached, you were finding the length of the magnetic field. Stronger magnets can generally attract magnetic materials from a farther distance than weaker magnets can. Based on that fact and the results you wrote in your notebook, which of your magnets was the strongest? Which one was weakest?

Project 2: Which Magnet Is the Strongest?

A good way to test how strong different magnets are is to see how many magnetic objects it can attract. Try this experiment with your magnets!

• Several magnets
• Box of paperclips
• Someone to help you

1. Have your helper hold on to one end of one of the magnets. Stick one paperclip to the other end of the magnet. One end of the paperclip should dangle off the magnet. (Your magnet may be really strong, so you may need your helper to hold the paperclip so just an end is touching the magnet rather than the side of the paperclip, like in the picture.)

2. Now touch another paperclip to the end of the first paperclip to start a paperclip chain. Keep adding paperclips until no more stick to the chain. In your notebook, write down how many paperclips the magnet was able to hold together in a chain before paperclips started to fall off.

3. Do steps 1 & 2 with the other magnets, recording in your notebook how many paperclips would stick in a chain to each magnet.

When a magnet touches another magnetic object (such as a paperclip), the object becomes a temporary magnet  for as long as it is touching the real magnet! It can now be used to pick up more paperclips.

Each additional paperclip also becomes a temporary magnet with a weaker magnetic force than the one before it. Some magnets may be able to hold a chain of five paperclips while another magnet may only be able to hold one or two paperclips.

How many paperclips a magnet can hold is a good indication of its strength. If you have a strong enough magnet and lift up the paperclips long enough, you may find that some of the paperclips will keep the ability to act like magnets for a little while even when they are not touching the magnet.

If this happens, you have just made a very strong temporary magnet.

Science Words

These words about magnets are used in the science projects. If you are not sure what they mean, just read the definitions below!

Magnetic object  – any object that can be attracted to a magnet. Paperclips, iron filings, keys, and bobby pins are all examples of magnetic objects.

Magnetic field  – an invisible area around a magnet where its magnetic force affects other objects. The magnetic field is what actually pulls other magnetic objects towards a magnet.

Temporary magnet  – a magnetic object that can become a magnet when it is touching a permanent magnet but loses its magnetic properties when it is no longer touching the permanent magnet.

Magnet Science Lesson

Magnets in household items.

A magnet is a solid object, usually a rock or piece of metal, that has the ability to attract certain materials.

To help discover what is and what is not attracted to magnets, go on a magnet hunt.

Look around the room and help your child make a list of objects he or she thinks will be attracted to the magnet as well as a list of objects that will not be attracted. After making your lists, test each of the objects.

(Don’t use magnets on computers, cassette tapes, discs, and other electronic devices – it could damage the magnets inside of them!)

Compare your results with what you predicted would be attracted. Were you correct on all your predictions? Were you wrong on any?

Discuss why items did or did not stick when you originally thought the opposite would be true.

For instance, the object is made out of plastic but coated with shiny paint to make it look metallic; not all metals are attracted to magnets; or maybe just parts of an object were attracted to the magnet. What does this tell us about magnetic attraction?

(That an object must be made out of metal to be attracted, but not all metals are attracted.)

Metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt are attracted to magnets. Steel has iron in it, so it is also attracted to magnets.

Alternatively, you can use this coloring page as part of a magnet hunt. Go around the house and find things that are magnetic. Circle the items on the coloring sheet that are attracted to the magnet and draw in any other items you found that are also magnetic.

As mentioned before, many common household items have magnets in them and are part of what makes these items work. Electronic devices such as refrigerators, washing machines, lamps, telephones, TVs, and stereos all have magnets in them.

Attraction and Repulsion

All magnets have two ends where the pull is strongest – a north pole and a south pole. The poles are named this way because if a magnet is floating in water or is suspended by a string tied around its middle, it will align itself in a north-south direction, consistent with the magnetic field of the Earth.

To best show how the poles of magnets react with each other, get two bar magnets with the north poles and south poles labeled. Holding firmly onto the magnets, have your child try to push their hands and the ends of the magnets together so that the north poles of both magnets meet. What happens? Now flip one of the magnets around and try pushing the ends together so that a north pole of one magnet meets with the south pole of the other magnet. What happened this time? Finally, flip the other magnet so that the south poles are facing each other and try to push them together. What happened?

Children should find that when a north pole was facing a south pole, they felt a force pulling the magnets together. But when the north poles were facing each other or the south poles were facing each other, they should have felt a force pushing them apart. Help children understand that opposite poles attract (pull together) while similar poles repel (push apart).

Magnetic Field

The invisible area around a magnet which attracts another object is called a magnetic field.

Magnetic objects (such as paperclips) will get pulled towards the magnet if they are placed in this field. You can see the magnetic field of a magnet using iron metal filings in a Ziploc bag or iron filings in a sealed case .

(We highly recommend putting loose filings in a sealed bag to avoid a mess.)

Lay a bar magnet on a table. Gently shake the bag or case to evenly distribute the iron filings and lay it on top of the magnet.

(You may also want to try placing the magnet on top of the Ziploc bag.)

Observe the pattern of the iron filings. The magnetic field is strongest at the poles. You can see this because the iron filings cluster at these points.

Now place two bar magnets on the table with similar poles facing each other.

Place them as close together as possible without them moving away from each other.

Place the iron filings on top of the magnets. Observe the pattern of the iron filings.

Now flip one magnet around so that opposite poles are facing each other and get them as close as possible without them moving together.

Place the iron filings on top and again observe the pattern made.

In each of these experiments, the iron filings allow us to visibly see how the magnetic field is shaped and how multiple magnetic fields can interact with each other.

Extend this by trying different magnet shapes ( ring magnet , horseshoe magnet , etc.) to see what their magnetic fields look like. Also try it with multiple magnets close together to see how their magnetic fields interact with each other.

Adult supervision should always be provided when children are playing with magnets.

More Physics & Engineering:

•   How Do Gears Work?
•   Centripetal Force
•   Compass Science Project
•   Rocketry Science Project

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