Activity: Magnetic puppetry
Turn science into theater with this activity.
You'll Need
- Several strong magnets
- pictures of people or animals
- paper
- scissors
- colored markers or crayons
- transparent tape
- paperclips
- shoebox
Turn science into theater for your child with this activity that allows him to investigate magnetic forces. Guide your child through the directions below to create a magnetic puppet show:
- Draw and cut out three to five paper figures of people or animals, about three inches tall. Or cutout figures of people from photos or magazines.
- Tape a paperclip to the base of each figure, using only a small piece of tape.
- Fold the base of the figure so that the paperclip lays flat and the figure stands upright.
- Position the shoebox on its side with the open end facing outward.
- Place the paper figures on top of the box.
- Hold a magnet inside the box, under each figure.
- Move the magnet to move the figures!
Guide your child in understanding that magnetic forces pass through, rather than attract, nonmagnetic materials. Paper, a nonmagnetic material, can be held between a magnet and a magnetic material, such as a refrigerator door.