Magnet Activities and Ideas for Kids
These fun magnet activities for kids easily blend entertainment and education, and will engage your kids with lots of hands-on learning activities and playful ideas.
Magnets are such a fun item for kids to explore, and even simple magnet activities offer lots of opportunities for science learning, as well as working fine motor skills, creativity, imagination and more!
Kids will love exploring the magic of magnetic force with these simple magnet activities that are perfect for preschoolers and early learners.

What are Magnets and How do they Work?
Magnets are special items that have a special power to pull certain things, like metal objects, towards them!
Every magnet has two ends – that are called poles – one likes to pull things close (the north pole) and the other pushes things away (the south pole). The north pole of one magnet attracts the south pole of another magnet, while similar poles (north-north or south-south) repel or push away. This attraction and repulsion happen because of invisible lines of force called magnetic fields that surround magnets. These magnetic fields pull objects closer or push them away, creating the magic of magnetism.
Inside magnets, there are tiny particles, like little magnets themselves, all lined up. When these particles work together and point in the same direction, the magnet becomes super strong. When a magnet gets close to something made of metal, it can make the metal act like a magnet too, for a little while. So, magnets are like invisible friends that have this cool power to make things stick together, and they love to play with metal stuff!
Magnets are not really magic, but magnetic force sure does feel like magic and it’s lots of fun for kids to explore!
Magnet Activities for Kids
Magnet activities are not always all about science!
Magnets are a great way to work on fine motor skills, and can be a fun creative and imaginative activity too! You can also use magnet activities to work on lots of different learning areas and skills. And of course magnet activities are a great way to explore lots of scientific concepts too!
There are so many fun ways you can use magnets with kids!
A great option for playing and learning with magnets is with a set of Magnatiles or similar magnetic building sets. If you have a set you’ll love these free Magnatile ideas for kids.
This list is packed with lots of super cool things to do with magnets, and lots of creative ways for kids to play and learn with magnets. There are lots of creative activities, fine motor activities, and of course some fun magnet science for kids!

Creative Magnet Activities
There are lots of fun magnets and magnet crafts you and your kids can make that your kids will love to play with! Try one of these creative magnet ideas.
Build Your Own Robots – kids will love creating their own cool magnet robots with these fun free printable robot magnets.
Make Sticker Magnets – this is such an easy and fun way to make magnets your kids will love playing with from Childhood101
Popsicle Stick Magnets – these craft stick magnets are easy to make and can be used in so many different ways!
Free Printable Shape Magnets – grab some printable magnet paper and make these square, triangle and rectangle magnets that can be used in so many ways!
DIY Glass Magnets – these gorgeous magnets from Inner Child Fun.are easy to make and would be lots of fun to play with!
Bottle Top Fridge Magnets – Kids Activities Blog made these as Christmas gifts, but you could add whatever image you want in the middle to make fun magnets to play with.
Make Your Own Magnetic Play Set – kids will love making all kind of creatures and constructions with this creative magnet activity from from Teach Preschool.
Story Magnets – use pictures from your favourite books to make these story magnets from How Wee Learn.
DIY Tile Letter Magnets – practice all kinds of alphabet and reading skills with this letter magnets from Artsy Momma
Magnet Paintings – kids of all ages will love making these amazing magnet paintings from Hello Wonderful.
Colorful Magnetic Sculptures – get creative with this easy and fun magnet sculpture activity from Pink Stripy Socks

Fun Activities with Magnets.
You can use magnets for lots of fun activities that work on a variety of learning areas and skills. These fun magnet activities are sure to be a hit with your kids!
Easy Name Puzzle – use magnetic letters to do this great name activity from Toddler Approved
Crazy Magnetic Hair Styles – this is such an adorable and fun magnet activity from Laughing Kids Learn.
DIY Magnetic Sandbox – combine sensory play and magnets in this cool activity from Carrots are Orange.
Magnet Sensory Bin – this is another great sensory play option that includes magnets from 3 Dinosaurs.
Magnetic Marble Run – your kids will love this DIY magnetic marble run for the fridge from How Wee Learn.
Magnetic Number Fishing Game – Have fun playing this super cute fishing game from Messy Little Monster.
DIY Magnetic Tangrams – make a set of these magnetic tangrams from School Time Snippets and see what shapes and pictures you can make.
DIY Magnetic Wand – make your own magnet wand that you can use for lots of activities with these instructions from Preschool Play and Learn.
Alphabet Soup Magnetic Match – grab the free printable from 123 Homeschool 4 Me to play this fun letter game.
Magnetic Water Play – combine magnets and water with this fun activity from Modern Preschool
Mini Magnet Blocks – find out how to make your own mini magnet blocks with this tutorial from You Clever Monkey.
Magnetic Track Craft – make your own track and move your car with magnetic force with this crafty activity from Meaningful Mama.
Magnetic Dancing Dolls – make these adorable dancing dolls that move with magnets from Hello Wonderful.
Magnet Math Game – work on math skills with this fun magnetic activity from Fantastic Fun and Learning.
Magnetic Sensory Bottles – try making one of these 3 magnetic sensory bottls from The Best Ideas for Kids

Magnet Experiments for Kids
These magnetic science activities for kids are almost magical! Try one of these simple science experiments to help your kids learn all about magnets and magnetic force.
Mini Magnet Maze – learn about how magnets attract and repel with this simple activity from Science Sparks
Magnetic Slime – this super cool slime from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls is actually magnetic!
Magnet Exploration – this simple set up from Mess for Less is a great way for young kids to learn about magnets.
Magnetic Spider and Fly STEM Craft – have fun learning about how magnets work with this cute magnet craft from Kids’ Craft Room.
Magnet Science with Jingle Bells – this magnet activity from Fun a Day is a perfect preschool Christmas activity.
Magnetic Scavenger Hunt – kids will love hunting for items that are magnet in this fun scavenger hunt activity from Inspiration Laboratories.
Magnet Pendulum – this is a super cool STEM project that includes science and engineering from Teach Beside Me.
Magnetic Ice Play For Kids – explore and see if magnets work through ice with this fun experiment from Little Bins for Little Hands.
Plastic Egg Magnetic Science – preschoolers will love this simple science experiment from Modern Preschool.
Levitating Paper Clip Experiment – this simple magnet experiment from Mombrite is super cool!
Magnetic Force Experiment – try this fun science experiment from Laughing Kids Learn to find out about magnetic force.
How to Make a Compass – use magnet science to build your own compass with this activity from STEAM Powered Family.
Mess Free Magnetic Learning Center – this is a great no-mess science exploration from Left Brain Craft Brain.
Magnetic Investigation – use this fabulous free printable from Life Over C’s to do your own magnetic STEM investigation project.
More Science and STEAM Activities for Kids
If your kids love science and STEAM projects they’ll love these fun ideas:
Make a straw rocket with this simple STEAM project.
Try this straw and stick STEM building challenge.

Make a lightsaber that actually lights up!
Oh wow these ALL sound awesome! Ordering some magnets now so we can play along too…
Thanks so much for including me in your roundup Kate! I’m so keen to make another set of cards using your printable magnets for the kids to play with. Love playing with magnets :)