Magnets KS2
Teaching Magnets KS2 is a fantastic way to help children explore forces and investigate how different materials behave. In Year 3 Science, pupils learn about magnets, magnetic forces, magnetic and non-magnetic materials, and how magnets can attract or repel each other.
Whether you are introducing magnets for the first time or planning a practical investigation, this guide explains the key concepts children need to understand and provides a ready-to-teach lesson to support your planning.
Teaching Magnets in Year 3?
Save valuable planning time with this ready-to-teach KS2 Magnets lesson pack.
What are magnets?
Magnets are objects that create an invisible magnetic field around them. This magnetic field allows magnets to attract certain materials without touching them.
Children quickly discover that not all materials are magnetic. Metals such as iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic, while materials such as wood, plastic, glass and rubber are not.
Learning about magnetic and non-magnetic materials helps children develop their scientific observation and classification skills.
Magnets Year 3 Science
Magnets are taught as part of the Year 3 Science curriculum. Pupils are expected to:
- Compare how different things move on different surfaces.
- Notice that some forces need contact between two objects but magnetic forces can act at a distance.
- Observe how magnets attract or repel each other.
- Compare and group materials according to whether they are magnetic.
- Identify some magnetic materials.
- Describe magnets as having two poles.
- Predict whether magnets will attract or repel based on the poles facing each other.
These objectives help children understand that forces can act without physical contact and encourage them to make predictions and test their ideas through investigation.
Magnetic Forces and Poles
Every magnet has two poles: a north pole and a south pole.
When two magnets are placed near each other:
- Opposite poles attract.
- Like poles repel.
Children enjoy investigating these effects through practical activities and quickly begin to recognise patterns in how magnets behave.
Exploring magnetic forces also helps pupils understand that forces can act over a distance, unlike pushes and pulls that require direct contact.
Investigating Magnets in KS2
Practical investigations are an important part of teaching Magnets KS2. Children can test different materials to identify which are magnetic, explore the strength of different magnets, and investigate how magnetic force changes with distance.
These hands-on activities develop scientific enquiry skills including observing, predicting, testing and recording results.
Why are magnets important?
Magnets are used in many everyday objects including fridge doors, speakers, motors, compasses and electronic devices. Learning about magnets helps children understand how science connects to the world around them.
Studying magnets also provides an excellent foundation for later learning about forces, electricity and engineering.
Magnets KS2 Lesson
Looking for a ready-to-teach lesson on magnets?
Our Forces and Magnets lesson introduces children to magnetic and non-magnetic materials through engaging investigations and practical activities. The lesson includes detailed planning, slides, differentiated worksheets and assessment opportunities to make teaching magnets easy.
Download the Forces and Magnets lesson here →
Magnets KS2 FAQs
What are magnets?
Magnets are objects that create a magnetic field and can attract certain metals such as iron and steel.
What is taught about magnets in KS2?
In Year 3, children learn about magnetic and non-magnetic materials, magnetic poles, magnetic forces, and how magnets attract and repel.
What materials are magnetic?
Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic materials. Materials such as wood, plastic, glass and rubber are non-magnetic.
What is the difference between attraction and repulsion?
Opposite magnetic poles attract each other, while like poles repel each other.
