Magnetism is one of the most fascinating forces in nature — invisible yet powerful, mysterious yet everywhere around us! From holding your artwork on the fridge to powering electric motors, magnets play a huge role in our daily lives. The best part? You don’t need a science lab to explore how magnets work. With just a few simple items found at home, you can turn any afternoon into a mini science adventure!
In this guide, The Kids Point brings you fun, safe, and educational magnet experiments that kids can easily try at home or in the classroom. These experiments are perfect for kids aged 5–12 and are designed to nurture curiosity, spark imagination, and introduce basic science concepts through play.
What Are Magnets?
Before we jump into the experiments, let’s understand what magnets are and how they work.
Magnets are special objects that produce an invisible area of force called a magnetic field. This field can attract certain types of materials — mainly iron, nickel, and cobalt. Each magnet has two poles:
- North Pole
- South Pole
When you bring two magnets close together:
- Opposite poles attract (North + South).
- Like poles repel (North + North or South + South).
Magnets are used everywhere — in speakers, computers, compasses, credit cards, and even trains! Once kids understand the basics, they’ll be amazed at how this invisible force makes so many things work.
Why Kids Should Learn About Magnets
We believe hands-on learning is the best way to understand science. Magnet experiments are perfect for kids because:
- They are safe and easy to set up.
- They develop observation and prediction skills.
- They build curiosity about how invisible forces work.
- They introduce STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in a fun, memorable way.
Now, let’s dive into some exciting experiments that make science come alive!
Experiment 1: Magnetic Treasure Hunt
Objective: Discover which everyday objects are magnetic.
What You’ll Need:
- A strong magnet (bar or ring magnet)
- A small tray or basket of mixed items (paper clip, coin, rubber band, nail, aluminum foil, pencil, key, spoon, plastic button, etc.)
- Paper and pencil for recording results
Steps:
- Gather 10–15 small household items.
- Predict which ones will be attracted to the magnet.
- One by one, bring the magnet close to each object.
- Note down whether the object was magnetic or non-magnetic.
What’s Happening: Magnets attract materials containing iron, cobalt, or nickel. Items made of wood, plastic, or rubber don’t react to magnets.
Learning Tip: Turn this into a science scavenger hunt — let kids explore the house or yard to find other magnetic objects!
Experiment 2: Magnetic Poles in Action
Objective: Observe attraction and repulsion.
What You’ll Need:
- Two bar magnets
Steps:
- Bring one end (pole) of a magnet close to another magnet’s pole.
- Watch what happens — do they stick together or push apart?
- Now flip one magnet and try again.
What’s Happening: When you bring opposite poles (north and south) together, they attract. When poles face each other, they repel.
Fun Twist: Place one magnet on a smooth table and move another nearby. See how the first one slides away without touching — that’s the magnetic force in action!
Experiment 3: Magnetic Field Lines
Objective: Visualize invisible magnetic fields.
What You’ll Need:
- A sheet of white paper
- Iron filings (available online or from a science kit)
- A bar magnet
Steps:
- Place the magnet under the sheet of paper.
- Sprinkle iron filings evenly over the paper.
- Gently tap the paper — you’ll see the filings form beautiful curved patterns around the magnet!
What’s Happening: The filings line up along magnetic field lines, showing how the force moves from the magnet’s north pole to the south pole.
Safety Note: Handle iron filings carefully and wash your hands afterward.
Learning Tip: Use two magnets close together and compare how their field lines interact!
Experiment 4: The Floating Paperclip
Objective: Discover how magnets can defy gravity.
What You’ll Need:
- A strong magnet
- String
- Tape
- A paperclip
Steps:
- Tape one end of the string to the table and tie a paperclip to the other end.
- Hold the magnet above the paperclip — just high enough that the clip hangs in mid-air without touching the magnet.
- Adjust the distance until it looks like the paperclip is “floating.”
What’s Happening: The magnetic force balances the pull of gravity, creating a magnetic levitation effect!
Fun Twist: Try adding small paperclips one at a time to see how many the magnet can hold up.
Experiment 5: Make a Magnetic Compass
Objective: Build a simple compass using magnetism.
What You’ll Need:
- A small sewing needle
- A magnet
- A bowl of water
- A small piece of cork or foam
Steps:
- Stroke the needle with one end of the magnet 30–40 times in the same direction.
- Push the needle gently through the cork so it floats on the water’s surface.
- Watch what happens — the needle should slowly turn and point north-south.
What’s Happening: Rubbing the needle with the magnet aligns the needle’s metal particles, turning it into a tiny magnet. The Earth’s magnetic field pulls it so it always points north.
Learning Tip: Use a real compass to check how accurate your homemade version is!
Experiment 6: Magnetic Racing Cars
Objective: Move toy cars using magnetic forces.
What You’ll Need:
- Two toy cars (preferably plastic)
- Two small magnets
- Tape
Steps:
- Tape a magnet onto the front of each toy car, with both magnets facing the same pole (north-north or south-south).
- Place the cars on a flat surface and slowly push one toward the other.
- Watch them push away — like magic!
What’s Happening: Like poles repel, so the cars move apart without touching.
Fun Twist: Flip one magnet so the poles are opposite — now the cars will stick together!
Experiment 7: Magnetic Maze Game
Objective: Control objects with magnetic power.
What You’ll Need:
- A cardboard box lid
- A sheet of paper
- A small metal paperclip
- A magnet
- Markers
Steps:
- Draw a maze on the paper and tape it inside the box lid.
- Place the paperclip at the maze’s starting point.
- Hold a magnet under the box and move it gently — the paperclip will follow your movements above the paper!
What’s Happening: The magnetic field passes through the cardboard, allowing you to control the paperclip from below.
Learning Tip: Create more complex mazes or have races between two players with different paths!
Experiment 8: Magnetic Fishing Game
Objective: Practice hand-eye coordination and explore magnetic attraction.
What You’ll Need:
- A small stick or pencil (fishing rod)
- String
- Magnet
- Paper fish with paperclips attached
Steps:
- Tie the magnet to one end of the string and attach the other end to your stick.
- Spread your “fish” on the floor or in a box.
- Go fishing! Try to catch as many as you can.
What’s Happening: The magnet attracts the paperclips, simulating the fun of fishing while teaching about magnetic forces.
Fun Twist: Write numbers or letters on each fish for a math or spelling challenge!
Experiment 9: Magnetic Chain Reaction
Objective: Observe how magnets can transfer motion.
What You’ll Need:
- Several ring magnets
- A pencil or straw
Steps:
- Slide several ring magnets onto the pencil, but make sure the poles are all facing the same way.
- Watch them float apart, stacking like a spring.
- Press one down and release — they’ll bounce back in a chain reaction!
What’s Happening: The repelling force between like poles pushes the magnets apart, storing and releasing energy like a spring.
Learning Tip: Experiment with different numbers of magnets to see how the reaction changes.
Experiment 10: Magnetic Slime
Objective: Make slime that reacts to magnets.
What You’ll Need:
- ½ cup of liquid glue
- ¼ cup of liquid starch or slime activator
- A spoonful of iron filings or iron oxide powder
- A strong magnet
Steps:
- Mix the glue and activator to make slime.
- Stir in the iron filings until evenly distributed.
- Play with your slime and bring a magnet close — watch it move and stretch toward the magnet!
What’s Happening: The iron particles inside the slime are magnetic, allowing it to “creep” toward the magnet.
Safety Note: Avoid using neodymium magnets directly with small children — they’re very strong and can pinch fingers.
Fun Magnet Facts for Kids
We love mixing fun facts with experiments! Here are some cool things to know about magnets:
- The Earth itself is a giant magnet, with its core made of iron and nickel.
- Magnets can lose their strength if they’re dropped or heated.
- Birds and sea turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate during migration.
- Magnetic fields can go through most non-metallic materials like wood, glass, and paper.
- The strongest magnets in the world are made in laboratories and can lift cars!
The Science Behind the Magic
When kids play with magnets, they’re actually exploring fundamental physics principles. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
- Magnetic Force: The invisible push or pull that magnets exert.
- Magnetic Field: The area around a magnet where magnetic forces can be felt.
- Polarity: The property of magnets having north and south poles.
- Electromagnetism: The relationship between electricity and magnetism — the basis for motors, generators, and many modern devices.
Understanding these concepts early helps children connect real-world experiences with scientific reasoning.
Safety Tips for Magnet Experiments
While magnet experiments are generally safe, always follow these precautions:
- Never put magnets in your mouth.
- Keep strong magnets away from electronics and credit cards.
- Supervise young children during all activities.
- Wash hands after using iron filings or magnetic powders.
- Store magnets safely to prevent damage or injury.
Encouraging Curiosity Beyond the Experiments
Science doesn’t stop when the experiments end! Encourage your kids to explore further by asking questions like:
- Why are some metals magnetic and others not?
- How do electromagnets work?
- Can magnets make electricity?
- How do magnets help in everyday machines?
We believe every experiment is the beginning of a lifelong love for learning. The curiosity kids build today will fuel the inventions of tomorrow.
FAQs about Fun and Easy Magnet Experiments for Curious Kids
What materials do magnets attract?
Magnets attract objects made of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Materials like plastic, wood, or paper are not magnetic.
Are magnet experiments safe for young kids?
Yes! Most magnet experiments are safe when supervised by an adult. Avoid small or strong magnets that could pinch or be swallowed.
Can magnets lose their strength?
Yes, magnets can lose power if they’re dropped, heated, or stored near other strong magnets.
Why do magnets have two poles?
Every magnet has a north and south pole because of how its internal magnetic fields align. Opposite poles attract, and like poles repel.
What can kids learn from magnet experiments?
Magnet experiments help kids understand forces, motion, and energy, while also building curiosity, problem-solving, and observation skills.
Wrapping Up: Discover the Magic of Magnets
Magnets are more than just fun — they’re a doorway to understanding how the world works. From floating paperclips to homemade compasses, these experiments help kids see science in action and appreciate the beauty of invisible forces.
Through The Kids Point’s hands-on learning approach, kids not only learn how magnets attract or repel but also develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills — all while having fun!
So gather your magnets, set up your workspace, and get ready to explore. With these fun and easy magnet experiments, your little scientists will discover that learning truly can be magical!