15 Piece Assorted Magnets

15 Piece assorted magnets to help kids learn all there is to know about magnets and how they work. Children will explore magnetic fields, forces of attraction and repulsion, how they are used in everyday items. As well as other exciting characteristics of magnets.

What's in the box
15 x Assorted Magnets

What do you learn from playing with magnets?

Scientific and mathematical concepts

• Magnetism: Through play, you learn the core principles of magnetism, including the concepts of attraction and repulsion. This happens as you feel magnets push each other apart or pull together, and you can visualize these forces when you use iron filings to observe a magnetic field.
• Poles: You discover that magnets have two different ends, a north and a south pole. The rule that "opposites attract, and likes repel" becomes a tangible, repeatable lesson. You can also learn that cutting a magnet in half results in two new magnets, each with both a north and a south pole.
• Materials science: A magnet offers a simple way to test and classify different materials. You learn that magnets only stick to certain metals, like iron, nickel, and cobalt, and not to other materials such as plastic, wood, or aluminium.
• Force and distance: You can experiment with how magnetic force weakens with distance. For example, testing how many sheets of paper a magnet can still attract an object through demonstrates this principle.
• Spatial reasoning and geometry: Building intricate structures with magnetic tiles or rods helps develop spatial awareness, as you plan and visualize how pieces fit together. You also learn basic geometry by creating shapes, patterns, and understanding angles.
• Cause and effect: When you move a magnet and an object moves without being touched, you intuitively grasp the principle of cause and effect.

Cognitive and motor skills

• Problem-solving: As you try to build a complex magnetic structure or create a magnetic maze, you are constantly solving problems. If a piece won't stick or a structure is unstable, you must figure out how to solve the issue, which enhances critical thinking.
• Experimentation: Magnets are perfect tools for encouraging experimentation and observation. You are naturally motivated to ask, "What happens if I try this?" and then test your hypothesis.
• Fine motor skills: Manipulating magnetic pieces, especially smaller ones, requires precision and control. This helps refine dexterity and hand-eye coordination, which are foundational skills for writing and drawing.
• Focus and concentration: The captivating "magic" of magnets helps keep your attention and focus, particularly during exploratory, open-ended play.
• Patience and perseverance: Creating a complex magnetic structure can be challenging. As you build and rebuild, you develop patience and resilience.

Creativity and language

• Imaginative play: Magnetic toys offer open-ended play that encourages creativity and imagination. You can build anything from imaginary cities to robots, allowing for creative expression and storytelling.
• Language skills: Playing with magnets often involves describing what you're doing, the colours and shapes of the pieces, and explaining scientific observations. This interactive aspect helps build language and communication skills.

Try these inventive games at home:

• Magnetic fishing game: Create a fishing rod by tying a magnet to a string attached to a stick. Cut out paper fish, decorate them, and attach a paper clip to each one. Younger children can "fish" in a designated area, and older children can play competitively or learn numbers and colours by having them catch specific fish.
• Magnetic maze: Draw a maze on a piece of cardboard or a plastic bottle, then place a magnetic object inside, such as a paper clip or a small ball. Use a separate magnet on the outside to guide the object through the maze, teaching spatial reasoning and hand-eye coordination.
• Magnetic race: Design two race courses on a large piece of cardboard and place a paperclip-car on each one. Players then race to move their cars along the track by controlling a magnet underneath the board. This can be a head-to-head race or a time trial.
• Magnetic sorting game: Fill a bin with a mix of magnetic and non-magnetic items like paperclips, coins, buttons, and bottle caps. Children can use a magnet to sort the items into two separate containers: one for magnetic items and one for non-magnetic items.