Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Magnet material detective
Watch an adult test which of two large objects a magnet attracts.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
An intact, commercially encased magnetic wand, a large steel spoon, and a large wooden spoon.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult checks the wand is intact and selects a steel spoon that responds to it, plus a wooden spoon for comparison.
Adult's role: Hold and control the wand throughout. Keep it away from children and pets before and after the demonstration.
Let's make it happen
- Look at both spoons and guess which one the wand will attract.
- Watch as the adult brings the wand near each spoon in turn and describes what moves.
- Compare the results with your guess. Talk about how some metals respond to magnets and wood does not.
Make it simpler: Watch the adult test one spoon and point to what happens.
Clean up: The adult stores the wand securely out of reach and puts away both spoons.
Use no loose magnets or small metal pieces. An adult controls the wand; stop if it is damaged and keep it away from mouths.