14 Activity: What is magnetic?

Supplies per student:

1 small magnet

Supplies for class:

Several cups throughout table

A large pile of shared items to test (see bottom of page)

Question: What is magnetic? After sorting activity, ask what they discovered.

Directions: Let students explore what materials are magnetic and sort them into cups of magnetic vs. not magnetic. As an extension, let them explore what is magnetic in the classroom

Theory: Not all shiny items are magnetic. Only items that contain steel will be attracted to the magnet.

Grades: 1st – 4th grade

Time: 15-20 minutes

Clean Up: Return items from cups to common container for use next time.

Notes and Hints: This is mainly exploratory. Keep magnets away from credit cards or sensitive electronics.

Ideas for items to test: small rocks, nails, paperclips, foil, steel wool, pipe cleaners, pieces of plastic, hair clips, shiny items, craft odds and ends, pennies.

Image Credit: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/61459/magnet-activities/