Mini Magnet Maze

Magnets for Kids

We have a little magnet kit that we play with frequently, it’s great fun and the children are always so surprised that they can actually feel the force pushing the cars apart.

To explain magnetism further we made a magnet maze.

First we had a play to see which type of objects a big magnet stuck to, once we’d decided metals were the key, we made some predictions about other objects and then tested them. You could even draw a table to make this activity a bit more formal.

Remember – not all metals are attracted to magnets, but iron and steel ( steel is mostly iron ) are.

Mini Magnet Maze

You’ll need:

• Thick cardboard or a paper plate
• A magnet wand
• Metal paperclip
• Cardboard
• Pens

How to make a mini magnet maze

• Draw a maze on the cardboard or paper plate
• Draw a cardboard bug or any shape you like.

• Place a paperclip over the bug.
• Place the paperclip at the start of your maze and the magnet underneath the cardboard.
• As you move the magnet, the bug should move too.

You can make your maze as easy or as complex as you like and as big or small as you want.

Magnets for Kids

Magnets attract some objects but not others and can be different strengths.

Magnets have two poles, we call one the north pole and one the south. Depending on which poles you place together they can either attract each other or repel. Opposite poles attract.