Information on Homemade Magnetic Toys & Games

History

• Magnetic toys have a long history. Magnetic fishing games were popular in the 1800s. The fishing lines had magnets attached that attracted metal clips on the model fish. You can use simple plastic or metal toys, small magnets, and glue to make one of these yourself. Other vintage games you can make at home include magnetic theaters, in which users control puppets that have magnets inside by manipulating a metal rod held beneath the stage.

Types

• Toys and puzzles use magnetism in many ways. Sometimes the magnets are incidental: you can make travel games by sticking the pieces of home game versions to small magnets and using flat metal trays as the game boards. Magnets can also be an intrinsic part of what makes the toy special. For example, magnetic theater puppets appear to move across the stage by themselves.

Warning

• Take care when making toys for very young children, especially when magnets are involved. Magnets can pose a choking hazard if they come loose, or if the child puts the toy in her mouth. If swallowed, magnets can cause serious internal injury.