Hobbies And Interests
Puzzles
Puzzles assist children in learning shapes and fine tuning motor skills, so this toy can be a vital developmental tool. Encourage children to play with puzzles by adding a magnetic element. Place a small magnet on the back of each puzzle piece by using a strong adhesive to glue the magnet to the puzzle piece. Press the magnet into the back of the puzzle piece and remove excess adhesive that escapes from underneath the magnet. This technique ensures that puzzle pieces will rest flat on the designated surface.
Use a metal, but not aluminum, cookie sheet as the base for the magnetic puzzle pieces. Some puzzles have boards with a cutout center where the child places the puzzle pieces, so in this case, remove the back of the puzzle board so only the puzzle boarder remains. Place glue along the back of the boarder and stick it to the cookie sheet. Allow all the pieces to dry completely before allowing your child to play with the toy. This magnetic toy eliminates child frustration of repositioning moved puzzle pieces.
Levitated Animal
Find a plastic drinking straw that has a flexible, accordion-like extension near one end and two circular magnets with holes in the center to slide in the straw. Draw an animal of your choice, preferably one that hops or bounces such as a kangaroo, frog or rabbit, on a small piece of paper. Experiment with the magnets until you determine which two sides you must put together for the magnets to repel each other. Lay the magnets with the repelling sides facing downward and tape the bottom edge of the paper with the animal around one of the magnets. Avoid getting tape on the repelling side of the magnet so it does not disrupt the magnetic field. Hold the straw so the flexible part is at the bottom and slide the bare magnet over the straw with the repelling side facing upward. Follow that magnet with the animal magnet and place a piece of tape around the top of the straw to prevent the magnet from coming off the straw. The animal will appear to be bouncing as a result of the magnetic field. Create one or multiple versions of this toy so your child can create a zoo of bouncing animals.
Stuffed Animals
Adding magnets to stuffed animals allows children to manipulate their existing plush toys in new ways. Remove a section of stitching on a larger portion of the stuffed animal such as the back or stomach. Take out the filling, set it aside and turn the exterior inside-out. Sew small magnets to the hands, feet, stomach, face and head of the stuffed animal. Place the magnets on the toy so each magnet attracts the other magnet. You can determine which sides of the magnets will work for this project by testing two magnets attraction prior to sewing. When all magnets are in place, invert the stuffed animal, refill it with the stuffing, and sew the entrance hole.