Gather Some Iron
Use a magnet to collect items made of iron around your home, sort and identify them, record findings, and learn why iron is useful.
Step-by-step guide to Gather Some Iron
Step 1
Gather the materials from the list and bring them to the room you want to search.
Step 2
Pick one safe area to search like the kitchen table or a bedroom floor and put the tray or towel down to work on.
Step 3
Hold the magnet close to objects and move it near metal surfaces to see what sticks.
Step 4
Put every item that sticks to the magnet into your container or bag.
Step 5
Spread the found items on the tray or towel so you can see them all.
Step 6
Sort the items into groups like tools kitchen items toys or loose metal bits.
Step 7
Test each grouped item again with the magnet and label it in your notebook as "magnetic" or "not magnetic."
Step 8
Write or draw each item's name in your notebook and note where you found it in the house.
Step 9
Think of three ways iron or magnetic metals are useful at home and write them down or ask an adult to help you list them.
Step 10
Make a small poster or page in your notebook with drawings labels and your list of why iron is useful.
Step 11
Take a photo of your finished poster or page and share your project on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a magnet, tray, or notebook from the materials list?
If you don't have a magnet use a strong fridge magnet or stick several small magnets together, use a baking sheet or a towel instead of the tray, and replace the notebook with loose paper or the notes app on a phone for writing and photos.
What should we do if the magnet doesn't pick up items during the "Hold the magnet close" and "Test each grouped item again" steps?
If the magnet won't pick up things, try a stronger magnet or different angle, remember some stainless steel and painted or plated items won't be magnetic, and double-check items by retesting each grouped item as the instructions say.
How can we adapt this activity for younger or older kids when they sort and make the poster?
For toddlers have an adult hold the magnet and help them make two simple piles on the tray for 'sticks' and 'doesn't stick,' while older kids can label each item in the notebook, write where they found it, and create the detailed poster to share on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the project after we spread and sort the found items and make a poster?
Extend the project by photographing each sorted group for your poster, making a map of where you found items in the house, comparing how useful each iron item is in your three-uses list, or decorating the poster with real small metal pieces you found.
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Facts about magnetism and iron
♻️ Iron and steel can be recycled over and over without losing their strength.
🌍 Earth's core is mostly iron and nickel, and moving iron there helps create Earth's magnetic field.
🔩 Iron is the main ingredient in steel, which builds bridges, cars, and lots of household tools.
🧲 Magnets attract iron, nickel, and cobalt — so not everything that looks metal will stick!
🧪 The human body contains about 3–4 grams of iron, mostly inside hemoglobin to carry oxygen.
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