Magnet Activities

Rosey | Posted on December 11, 2018 |

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These FREE science activities help kids learn about magnets. They’re a fun addition to Kindergarten or First Grade science centers.

Magnet Sort & Classify Mats

This hands-on activity is easy to prep and requires minimal classroom materials. It helps kids explore materials that are magnetic or not magnetic.

Preparation – Print and laminate the sorting mats for added durability. You’ll also need a magnet and a variety of materials for the kids to test. I often grab a basket and pop a variety of everyday materials in there such as paperclips, sharpeners and popsicle sticks.

How to Play – Begin by explaining what a magnet is (there’s a poster to help with this). Then lay out the two sorting mats. Get the kids to take turns choosing an object from the basket. They need to use a magnet to test if the object is magnetic or not magnetic. If it’s magnetic place it on the green mat. If it’s not magnetic place it on the red mat. Continue testing the materials until there are none left. If you’d like the kids to record their answers you can print one of the accompanying worksheets.

Investigating Magnets

If you have one of those big horseshoe magnets floating around your classroom, you can use the recording worksheets to help guide independent magnet investigations.

Preparation – Choose a worksheet that you’d like the kids to work on. There are a few blank recording worksheets which can be used with any objects that you have available. I usually pop the worksheets onto a clipboard to add to the feel of being a real life scientist! :)

How to Play – Give the kids a magnet, a clipboard with a recording sheet and a pencil. Take the kids for a walk around the classroom or the playground. They need to choose different objects and test them to see if they’re magnetic or not magnetic. Kids are often excited to discover the items that are magnetic such as table legs, poles, the door handle, whiteboard and so on. When the kids find something that is magnetic they can draw or write it on their recording worksheet.

To grab these free magnetic activities click on the download button at the bottom of this page.

More Fun Science Activities

If you’re looking for some more fun science activities then be sure to check out the activities below. You can click on the links or pictures to find out more.