Start by giving each child a magnet and asking them to go around the classroom and put the magnet on as many objects and surfaces as they can. Ask them to bring back small items that stick to the magnet, such as paper clips, or tell you larger items that they stuck to, such as a refrigerator door. Ask the children if they notice anything about what magnets stick to, such as the materials.
This lesson plan works best for a small group of children. Place a piece of Plexiglas between two chairs and tape a piece of paper to it. Dip metal objects such as washers, nuts, bolts or paper clips in different colors of tempera paint and place them on top of the paper. Have a child hold a magnet underneath the Plexiglas and show them how to move around the metal objects using the magnetic attraction, causing the painted pieces to create a picture. Let each child take a turn with a fresh piece of paper so they each get their own picture.
This lesson plan involves a fun game for preschool children that will teach them how magnets can repel or attract each other. Tape magnets to the front of several small toy cars, ensuring that you use both poles so some repel and some attract. Have the children play with the cars and try to (gently) crash them into each other. End the lesson by explaining about magnets and polarity.
This lesson demonstrates how items are attracted to magnets. Place a few paper clips in a glass of water and tell the children that you will get the paper clips out of the water without dumping out the water or putting anything in the glass. Then, place a strong magnet next to the glass of water. The paper clips will stick to it and you can lift them out of the glass. You can also make "dancing" paper clips in the lesson by moving the magnet up and down. Let the children take turns doing the same thing.