Looking for a fun STEM activity for kids that requires minimal setup and uses items you already have around the house? Grab a magnet, gather a few everyday objects, and turn a summer afternoon into a hands-on science experiment.

In this activity, kids will predict which objects are magnetic, test their ideas, and learn why some metals are attracted to magnets while others are not.

What Will Kids Learn From This Magnet Experiment?

STEM activities encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions, test their ideas, and learn from the results.

This simple magnet experiment focuses primarily on science, but it also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.

Kids will explore:

  • Magnetic attraction
  • Magnetic and nonmagnetic materials
  • How to make and test a prediction
  • How to record observations
  • How scientists look for patterns in their results

What Supplies Do You Need?

You only need a few supplies for this magnetic STEM activity:

  • A magnet
  • A basket or container for collecting test objects
  • Paper and a pencil
  • Household objects made from different materials

For the magnet, an adult should select an appropriately sized magnet and supervise the activity at all times.

Step 1: Gather Your Test Objects

Start by searching around the house for objects made from different materials.

You might collect:

  • A paperclip
  • A steel washer
  • A metal spoon
  • A wooden craft stick
  • A plastic building block
  • A cotton ball
  • A piece of aluminum foil
  • A brass fastener
  • A coin
  • A rubber band
  • A stainless steel utensil
  • A small cardboard box

Try to collect between 10 and 15 objects. The goal is to have a good mix of magnetic and nonmagnetic items. And remember, just because something is made of metal does not mean it will be attracted to a magnet. (But don’t tell your junior scientists that just yet. Let them investigate!)

Step 2: Make Your Predictions

Before testing any objects, ask kids to predict what will happen.

Create three columns on a piece of paper:

Object | My Prediction | What Happened?

Pick up each object and ask a few questions.

Do you think the magnet will attract it?

What material do you think it is made from?

Why do you think it will or will not be magnetic?

Write down each prediction.

This step is important because making predictions helps kids think about what they already know before conducting the experiment.

And remember, a wrong prediction is not a failed experiment. Unexpected results give scientists new information and new questions to explore.

Step 3: Put Your Predictions to the Test

Now for the fun part.

Have an adult help kids carefully bring the magnet close to each object, one at a time. Record the results in the “What Happened?” column.

  • Does the magnet attract the object?
  • Does nothing happen?
  • Is the attraction strong or surprisingly weak?

Once you’ve tested every object, compare the results with your original predictions.

  • How many did you get right?
  • Which results surprised you?

Step 4: Look for Patterns

Scientists do more than conduct experiments. They examine their results and look for patterns.

Sort your objects into two groups: Magnetic and Nonmagnetic

Now take a closer look.

  • What do magnetic objects have in common?
  • What about the nonmagnetic objects?
  • Were all the metal objects magnetic?

You may discover that the paperclip and steel washer were attracted to the magnet, while the aluminum foil and brass fastener were not. Now ask, why?

Why Are Some Materials Magnetic?

Many people assume magnets attract all metals, but that isn’t true. Magnets strongly attract certain ferromagnetic materials, including iron, nickel, and cobalt. Steel is also commonly attracted to magnets because most steel contains iron.

Common materials that may be attracted to magnets include:

  • Iron
  • Many types of steel
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt

Common nonmagnetic materials include:

  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Gold
  • Silver

Materials like wood, plastic, glass, paper, and rubber are also not attracted to magnets.

Stainless steel can make the experiment especially interesting. Some types of stainless steel are magnetic, while others are not, depending on their composition and structure.

You might even find two objects that look similar but react differently to your magnet. That’s exactly the kind of surprising result that makes a science experiment interesting.

Take the Experiment Further

Finished testing your objects? The experiment doesn’t have to end there.

Here are three ways to keep investigating.

Does Distance Affect Magnetic Attraction?

Place a magnetic object on a table and slowly move your magnet toward it.

How close does the magnet need to get before the object moves?

Try the experiment with different magnets and compare the results.

Can Magnetic Force Travel Through Materials?

Place a paperclip on top of a piece of cardboard and move the magnet underneath.

What happens?

Now try putting other materials between the magnet and paperclip, such as paper, fabric, or thin plastic.

How does adding more distance between the magnet and paperclip change the results?

Can You Find More Magnetic Objects?

With adult supervision, search different rooms of your home for more objects to test. Before testing each object, remember to make a prediction. You can even turn it into a challenge. Which family member can correctly predict the most results?

Turn a Summer Afternoon Into a Science Experiment

You don’t need an expensive science kit or complicated instructions to get kids interested in STEM. Sometimes, all it takes is a magnet and a question: Do you think this will stick?

This magnetic STEM activity for kids encourages curiosity, observation, and experimentation while helping children better understand the science happening all around them.

Learn More About Magnets

At Apex Magnets, we love helping curious minds explore the power of magnetism. 

Want to continue exploring? Visit the Apex Magnets blog for more STEM activities, DIY projects, magnet experiments, and fascinating facts about magnetism. You can also browse our selection of magnets for your next project or contact our knowledgeable team for personalized guidance.

Safety Warning: Children should not be allowed to play with neodymium magnets as they can be dangerous. Small magnets pose a choking hazard and should never be swallowed or inserted into any part of the body.

Magnets can be dangerous. Neodymium magnets, especially, must be handled with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers and other body parts can get severely pinched between two attracting magnets. Bones can be broken by larger magnets. Visit our Magnet Safety page to learn more.