| Magnet games are a fabulous way to introduce kids | | | | let your child try to arrange all ten Q-tips neatly into a |
| to the world of physical sciences. The games are | | | | stack. (Variation: keep in mind that with any of these |
| wholesome in nature, easy to set up and fun to play. | | | | table top games you can decorate the magnet that |
| Best of all, the unusual properties of magnets do a | | | | sits on top of the table.) |
| wonderful job keeping your child's full focus and | | | | Watch You Tube video of this game: |
| attention. | | | | Cotton Ball Table Top Race: To play this game, two |
| Pick up some magnet discs from the hardware aisle | | | | players sit on opposite sides of your kitchen or dining |
| of your nearest home improvement store. (Each | | | | table. Tape a piece of string across the table for a |
| magnet is the size of three pennies in a stack.) A | | | | start line. Tape another piece of string for the finish line. |
| couple dozen is more than enough to get you started. | | | | (Start and finish line should be a foot or so apart.) Now |
| Here are some games and activities to play: | | | | each player places five cotton balls at the start line. |
| Herd the Sheep: Play this game on your kitchen or | | | | Each player also has one magnet on top of the table |
| dining table. Before the game starts, let your child | | | | and a stack of magnets under the table (as described |
| practice moving a magnet on the tabletop using a | | | | above). At the word 'go' race to see who can push all |
| stack of magnets under the table. This is very easy to | | | | five of their cotton balls across the finish line first. |
| do. Now let your child practice pushing a cotton ball | | | | Tin Can Table Top Race: Next time you have canned |
| around (using the same procedure). Pushing a cotton | | | | goods, save the cans. You'll need them for this activity. |
| ball is the equivalent of herding a sheep in the game to | | | | To play, use the same start and finish line from the last |
| follow. | | | | game, and sit in the same manner. This time, use the |
| To play the game, place two magnets approximately | | | | stack of magnets under the table to roll a tin can |
| eight inches apart on your table top. These are fence | | | | across the finish line. You can also race back and forth |
| posts. Place ten cotton balls on one side of the fence. | | | | three times. To do this, fold a dish towel a little way |
| Place one magnet on the other side of the fence. Now | | | | past the start and finish line in order to stop the can. |
| let your child try to herd the sheep through the fence | | | | This will allow the players to easily reverse directions. |
| posts. Take care not to get too close to the fence | | | | The first player to travel back and forth three times |
| posts or the sheep herder will snag his coat (and the | | | | wins. |
| sheep will run away, etc.---). The game ends when all | | | | Magnets are a fun and easy way to introduce your |
| ten sheep have been herded. Use a timer and try to | | | | child to the world of physical sciences. Their unusual |
| improve the results. (Variation: decorate the landscape | | | | characteristics stimulate the imagination and invite |
| using construction paper cut-outs; use string or | | | | countless games and activities. During the course of |
| Popsicle sticks to complete the fence in area where | | | | play, your child will come to appreciate some basic |
| the sheep will be herded.) | | | | magnetic properties (such as polarity as well as the |
| Watch You Tube video of this game: | | | | relationship between number of magnets and strength |
| Stack the Sticks: Play this game on your kitchen or | | | | of pull). Don't be surprised if your child suddenly begins |
| dining table. Before the game starts, let your child | | | | investigating something out of the blue. Try to be |
| practice moving a Q-tip around using the procedure | | | | flexible. After all, half the fun of the activities is that |
| described above. Once your child is comfortable with | | | | they arouse curiosity and invite further exploration. |
| this, place ten Q-tips randomly on your table top. Now | | | | Have fun! |