Magnet Fishing Science Activity for Kids!

This magnet fishing game is a fun science activity for kids that can be done outside or inside with several educational benefits for children of all ages.

Fishing with a magnet is a fun, hands-on, and low-cost science activity for children, offering an engaging learning experience for all ages. In this activity, children use a magnet attached to a string to “fish” for objects indoors or outdoors. Magnet fishing introduces young learners to fundamental scientific principles, including magnetism and material properties, while developing skills such as observation, experimentation, and classification. You might also enjoy this Human Sundial science experiment for kids.

This informative guide teaches how to create a fishing game using a magnet for children to play and experiment with, and explains the primary benefits and learning objectives of this simple science activity. Make it simple for toddlers and preschoolers, or create more advanced magnet fishing challenges for older children, such as timed fishing, tally charts, or object weights. Older children and those more experienced with magnet fishing can take this activity outside in rivers, lakes, and oceans with longer ropes and stronger magnets.

On this larger scale, magnet fishing is similar to metal detecting, with a twist. It involves finding metal objects or hidden treasures in bodies of water using powerful magnets and a long rope. However, it can be restricted, illegal, or require permits in some areas, and some items found are subject to specific laws. So, please check local regulations to be aware of ordinances and potential hazards if you try this outdoor treasure hunting activity. Scroll down to learn more about magnet fishing with kids.

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Magnetic Fishing Game: Cool Science for Kids!

Fishing with magnets using either a magnetic fishing kit made for kids or a homemade fishing rod with a magnet is an entertaining way to teach children basic scientific ideas through play. In this fun activity, kids “fish” for objects made of magnetic materials such as paper clips, washers, or small metal toys, either in a water bin, sandbox, or even just on the floor.

Doing so often leads to children testing non-metallic objects, which in turn leads to further exploration and learning. Whether indoors or outdoors, this activity sparks curiosity and offers several opportunities for hands-on learning. Learn more about the many educational benefits of this science activity for kids below. Alternatively, scroll down for step-by-step instructions on how to make a DIY fishing pole with a magnet, or use a magnetic fishing kit to explore the concept of magnetism with the tips included in this informative guide.

Educational Benefits of Magnet Fishing:

One of the primary educational benefits of magnet fishing is its direct engagement with the concept of magnetism. They can observe firsthand how magnets attract certain metals, and not others, helping them understand the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials. As children experiment with which objects stick to the magnet and which do not, they begin to understand how magnets attract certain materials, mainly those containing iron or steel.

This simple science activity enables children to explore the strength of magnets or various magnet types by testing how many items or the weight they can lift, or from what distance they can attract an object. These experiments naturally lead to questions, predictions, and explanations, which in turn help them develop core elements of scientific thinking.

These kinds of tactile learning experiences reinforce classroom or homeschool learning and encourage inquiry-based thinking. As they play, children can hypothesize which items will be attracted to the magnet, test their ideas, and reflect on the outcomes, which mirrors the scientific method. Sorting and classifying their “catches” into magnetic and non-magnetic groups promotes critical thinking and reinforces early categorization skills often practiced in science and math.

Fishing with magnets also encourages problem-solving and improves fine motor skills as children maneuver their magnetic fishing rods to catch specific items. This activity builds hand-eye coordination and persistence. Magnet fishing is also an excellent way to integrate learning across different subjects and combine science with literacy (labeling items), math (counting or graphing catches), and even art (decorating their fishing rods or the objects to fish for).

Magnet fishing for Kids:

Fishing with a magnet is an activity I fondly remember doing in buckets and bathtubs with my brothers as a child. We would spend hours trying to catch things and testing what was magnetic and what was not. Imagine my surprise when my daughter started doing the same thing on her own!

The photos included in this tutorial share the first time I tried this magnet fishing game with my daughter. At first, she was thoroughly amused with magnetic fishing for washers, nuts, and bolts. Then she began doing the same things my brothers and I did as kids.

She started running around our yard, asking if she could throw all sorts of other stuff into the bucket. After starting with the magnetic objects I put in the bin, she wanted to experiment and test for magnetism, just like my brothers and I did as children. So, of course, I followed her lead and joined in on the fun.

Soon after, she and I began throwing everything we could find outside, or that I could think of to grab from the house, into her bucket to test for magnetism. We had such a great time magnet fishing, testing what was and wasn’t magnetic, that I felt like a kid again. Science doesn’t get much more fun than this! For another fun science activity, try Rock Balancing.

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Magnet Fishing Supplies:

• Small branch, stick, pole, 24 by 1/2 inch wooden dowel rod to make a DIY fishing pole.
  • Alternatively, you can use a magnetic fishing set toy for kids.
• Monofilament fishing line or bakers’ twine string.
  • This will only be needed if making a DIY fishing pole using the instructions below.
• Crimping pliers (optional, see directions below).
• Ceramic ferrite round disc magnets with a hole, or small rare-earth neodymium donut magnets. (Most neodymium magnets with a lifting eyebolt are too powerful for this activity, but work well for magnet fishing in creeks, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.)
  • Only if you’re making a homemade fishing pole for magnet fishing.
• A bucket, wading pool, bathtub, bin, water table, large sink, sandbox, or another container you can use with or without water (or play sand) to fish for magnetic items.
  • Alternatively, you can put objects on the floor or ground.
  • Fishing in water or hunting for treasure in sand can be more enjoyable, but it’s not a requirement for this science activity.
  • Wooden magnetic fishing games are designed to be used without water and typically come with an included fishing pond or tray. They feature magnetic fish with different colors, numbers, and letters, which allows children to explore magnetism and learn basic literacy and math skills as they play with the toy.
• A collection of magnetic and non-magnetic things that children or students can test.
  • Paper clips, washers, bolts, and nuts are great magnetic items to start with.
  • Gather a few things and encourage children to find and test others.

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Magnetic Fishing Sets:

As mentioned in the magnetic fishing supplies above, you can purchase several pre-made fishing sets if you prefer not to make a homemade DIY magnetic fishing pole for this science activity. The directions to make a fishing pole with a magnet attached for magnet fishing are included in the step-by-step instructions below.

Some magnetic fishing sets are designed for use both in and out of the water, whereas others, such as this wooden fishing set, are intended for use without water. You might also enjoy these Outside Activities for Kids.

How to Fish with a Magnet:

If you are using a magnetic fishing set, make sure you have a few other magnetic and non-magnetic items nearby for children to test magnetism.

1. Purchase or make a magnetic fishing rod:

• Use the step-by-step instructions below to make a DIY fishing rod with a magnet attached to fish for magnetic items.
  • There are a few techniques you can choose from within the directions below, depending on the supplies available.
• Alternatively, you can use a ready-made magnetic fishing rod included in the fishing sets in the supplies above for kids to use for this activity.

How to Make a Fishing Rod with a Magnet:

1. Cut a piece of bakers’ twine string or monofilament fishing line that is 3-5 feet long (or longer), depending on the height of the children and the depth of the container they will use to fish for magnets.
2. Tie a neodymium or ferrite ceramic magnet with a hole in the middle to one end of the string, or use a pair of crimping pliers and the crimp tubes (beads) included with the fishing line to attach the magnet to the monofilament string with the directions below:
   • Place a crimp bead on one end of the fishing line.
   • Loop the string through the hole in the magnet below the crimp tube.
   • Fold the string back and feed it through the crimp bead again so the magnet dangles from the loop created.
   • Squeeze crimping pliers around the crimp bead to secure the fishing line loop and magnet in place.
3. Then, tie the other end of the string or fishing line to a small branch, stick, or wooden dowel rod.

2. Fill a bucket or bathtub with water or sand, or leave it empty (optional, the objects can also be hidden in a sandbox, or spread on the floor):

• Fill a large bucket, wading pool, sink, bathtub, or another container, half full of water or sand.
  • Skip this step if you are using a wooden magnetic fishing set, spreading the objects on the floor, or hiding them in a sandbox that is already filled with sand.
  • Wooden fish are not designed to be submerged in water, use sand, or the tray provided with the magnetic fishing game.
• As you can see in the photographs, I put water inside a green plastic storage footstool for kids with a lid that my daughter’s (late) grandpa found for her at Ikea long ago.
  • This item, or a similar one, may or may not still be available.

3. Put the magnetic objects in the bucket, bathtub, pool, magnetic fishing set pond, hide them in a sandbox, or spread them out on the floor:

• Place paperclips, washers, nuts, bolts, magnetic fish (or anything else magnetic that you have available in your home or classroom) in the water or hide them in the sand.
  • Alternatively, you can spread them out on the ground or floor.
• Start with magnetic items first.
• The idea is to allow children to experience success and discover the magic of magnetism on their own.

4. Invite children to give magnet fishing a try:

• Invite children to fish for magnetic items with the magnetic fishing pole.
• Allow them to play and learn about magnetism.
• Follow your child wherever they go in their learning, and most importantly, have fun!
• Remember, children learn best when they are given time and space to discover and explore on their own.
• Use the magnet fishing science tips below:

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Magnetic Fishing Science Learning Tips:

• Test items that are not magnetic later in the game, but do your best to allow your children to come up with this idea independently. In other words, give young children such as toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary-aged students time to wonder, question, and test. Children learn best when they are allowed to explore and discover on their own.
• A good old-fashioned homemade magnetic fishing pole and magnetic household items tend to lend themselves more to experimenting than magnetic fishing toys do, but use what you like!
• After a few successful attempts with magnetic items that I had placed in the bucket, my daughter soon ran off to test everything she could find in our backyard, just like my brothers and I did as children. I did not ask her to do this. Instead, she got curious enough to test other items on her own. That’s hands-on learning through play in action. Of course, this action permitted me to do the same. Once she started looking for other things, I quickly ran into the house to find more items for her to test for magnetism.
  • In other words, once your children begin to test different items for magnetism, feel free to help them find magnetic and non-magnetic items to experiment with. Who knew learning through play could be so much fun!

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Fishing with Magnets for Kids:

My daughter fished with a classic homemade magnetic fishing pole with a neodymium magnet, just like my brothers and I did as kids. The only difference was when I was a kid, we used ceramic magnets, but these newer neodymium magnets are much stronger.

They can easily pick up things my brothers and I could never pick up, even with several magnets. Neodymium magnets make magnetic fishing a lot easier than I remember it! Try both types of magnets, ceramic and neodymium, for even more science learning fun.

As I relived my childhood, I started my daughter off with three magnets tied to her stick. I quickly learned that neodymium magnets were way too strong to be used more than one at a time. They are so strong, it’s hard for young children to pull magnetic objects off of them. So, I untied the magnets and remade the magnetic fishing pole with only one small rare-earth magnet.

This is why it is best not to use a rare-earth magnet with a lifting eyebolt attached. These neodymium magnets are much too powerful for this simple science activity. It’s no wonder magnet fishing with a long rope and a big, strong neodymium magnet with a lifting eyebolt has become a treasure hunting rage! However, magnet fishing may be restricted, illegal, or require permits in some areas, and specific laws regulate some items found. Therefore, check local regulations to understand ordinances and potential hazards before trying this outdoor treasure hunting activity.

My Daughter’s Magnetic Testing Experiments with a DIY Fishing Pole with a Magnet Attached:

Check out the fun my daughter had fishing with magnets for magnetic and non-magnetic objects in the photos below. My brothers are gonna be so jealous!

Got it! Look how strong these magnets are!

That was all it took to arouse her curiosity and send her into action.

She quickly ran off and found the dog’s Kong to throw in the bucket.

Nope, you can’t catch a rubber dog toy with magnets.

Next, she threw in some sticks. Nope, those didn’t work either.

How about change? Nope.

How about silverware? Yes!

I love these neodymium magnets. They are crazy strong!

“How about my sandbox toys, Mom?” My daughter asked excitedly. I have to be honest. I didn’t think these were going to work. These magnets are so strong that they made it easy to find the little bit of metal in the axles of these toys!

How about cars?

Yep, these magnets could easily find the metal in the wheels to magnetize.

Then mom got a funny idea that was a real winner. Look who caught a can o’ tuna fish!

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Magnet Fishing Science Activity for Kids:

Overall, magnetic fishing offers a hands-on, low-cost, and highly engaging method for children to learn about magnetism and materials while developing broader skills like observation, experimentation, and classification. Magnet fishing can help children:

• Question and experiment.
• Develop core elements of scientific thinking.
• Understand and explain basic magnetic properties.
• Distinguish between different types of materials.
• Improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Develop problem-solving skills.
• Encourage inquiry-based thinking.
• Improve observation, prediction, and analytical skills.
• Promotes critical thinking and reinforces early categorization skills.
• Integrate learning across different subjects by combining science with literacy, math, and even art.

Whether you use a store-bought kit or a homemade version, this activity turns learning basic scientific concepts into a fun and memorable experience. I’ll never forget the fun I had with my brothers as a child, or with my daughter as a parent and homeschool teacher.

This makes magnet fishing a fun and educational activity for kids, and a great treasure hunting experience for the whole family or classroom. This is especially true when strong magnets with a long rope are used in larger bodies of water. If you want to explore the latter type of magnet fishing, visit this guide to magnet fishing HERE.

Try fishing with magnets with your children today! Then, for more outdoor learning activities, hop over to look at these outdoor activities for kids.

You may also enjoy rock balancing and this human sundial science experiment.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, of this hands-on science activity for kids HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

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