What kind of magnet works best?

Use a large handheld magnet that is easy to grip and too big to mouth. Small magnets are not a good fit for this activity.

What items should I put in the pan?

Choose a few large, safe pieces with different results, such as a metal lid that sticks and a plastic block that does not. Test the mix first so the first round has at least one clear success.

Can I use this around a younger sibling?

Only use objects that are too large to mouth, and keep the magnet and tray under direct adult supervision. If a smaller child moves toward the pieces, pause and put the tray out of reach.

Back to library

A toddler using a large magnet to lift a safe metal item from a pie pan.

ThinkingTest And Compare`Indoor Table Or Floor Spot

Magnet Grab.

Put one magnetic item and one nonmagnetic item in the pan. Show one "sticks" test, then let your child try both. Add a few more pieces only if your child stays interested.

Give your toddler a large magnet and a tray of safe objects to test, sort, and try again.

ThinkingTest And Compare`Indoor Table Or Floor Spot

Magnet Grab.

Give your toddler a large magnet and a tray of safe objects to test, sort, and try again.

Play time

10-15+ min

Age

1-3 years

Energy

Low

Mess

Low

Effort

Low

Where

Indoor Table Or Floor Spot

Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort

5 things

What you need

1 large handheld magnet
1 metal pie pan or other shallow magnetic tray
A small handful of toddler-safe household items that includes some magnetic pieces and some nonmagnetic pieces
1 low table or floor spot
1 adult for direct supervision

10 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop

Step 01

On the low table or floor spot, set the metal pie pan flat in front of your child.

Step 02

Inside the pan, mix the household items together instead of sorting them first.

Step 03

Beside the pan, place the large magnet where your child can reach it.

Step 04

Before play starts, test the mix yourself. You need at least 1 item that clearly sticks and 1 item that clearly does not.

Step 05

Sit close enough to block mouthing, grabbing unsafe pieces, or dumping the whole pan.

"Try this one."

The loop

How play unfolds.

Three steps showing a toddler testing objects with a magnet, noticing what sticks, and sorting the pieces.

1
Touch the magnet to one magnetic item, lift it, and say, "This one sticks."
2
Hand the magnet to your child and say, "Can you find another one?"
3
Let your child test one item at a time.
4
Put sticky items on one side of the pan. Leave not-sticky items on the other side.
5
Mix the pieces and play again if your child wants another round.

01
Touch the magnet to one magnetic item, lift it, and say, "This one sticks."
02
Hand the magnet to your child and say, "Can you find another one?"
03
Let your child test one item at a time.
04
Put sticky items on one side of the pan. Leave not-sticky items on the other side.
05
Mix the pieces and play again if your child wants another round.

Safety Check

Use only items that are too large to mouth, not sharp, not rusty, not fragile, and not battery-like.
Stay close and supervise directly the whole time.
Remove any item that goes toward your child's mouth or starts getting thrown.
Store the magnet out of reach when play is over.

Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder

Level 1 (Start)

Touch the magnet to one item and say what happens.

Level 2 (Keep going)

Pick another item and test it.

Level 3 (Stretch)

Put the sticky ones together after each test.

Level 4 (Extend)

Mix the tray again and start a new round.

If your child seems...

What you'd see

Focused

What to do

Say

"That one sticks."

Add

Ask for 1 more item to test.

Extend

Invite your child to make a sticky pile after each lift.

Make it easier

Younger end

-Start with the magnet already touching a magnetic item so the first lift succeeds.
-Keep the tray close to your child's body so reaching does not become the hard part.
-Let your child retest the same favorite item several times before adding choices.

Make it harder

Older end

+Ask your child to guess with a point before testing 1 item.
+Have your child make a sticky side and a not-sticky side after each check.
+Turn the pan slightly between rounds so your child scans the mix again.

If it's not working

If you see

If child ignores it

Do 1 dramatic slow lift with a magnetic item, then hand the magnet over without asking for a full sorting task.

If you see

If child misuses it

Keep the pan on the surface, remove any mouthed or thrown item, and restart with 2 or 3 larger pieces.

If you see

If child gets frustrated

Switch to a yes/no rhythm: "This one sticks. This one does not." Let your child only lift the pieces that work.

Skill spotlight

Test And Compare`

Testing and comparing

This helps the child check an idea, notice same and different results, and keep trying when 1 item does not work.

•The test-and-lift loop helps your child connect one action with a clear result.
•Sticky and not-sticky pieces give your child a simple way to compare objects.
•Repeating the tray helps your child practice checking again instead of stopping after one miss.

Real-world transfer