Iron filings are often listed in articles on magnets as an interesting material for children to use. With young children, even the not so young, problems are soon obvious. These sand-sizedparticles of iron cling to the magnets, spill on the floor, and soon lose their educational value. Magnet boxes allow children to work freely with iron filings and other materials without thehassles. Work with magnets can then become an independent activity, available to children at any time. What to do- It is the adult's job to assemble the magnet boxes. This can be done with or without the children. Place enough iron filings in the box to barely cover the bottom. Cover with the lid or heavyplastic wrap. Seal the box completely with the tape. While you're at it, reinforce the corners. If you have done all this properly, you will have a sturdy, escape-proof box. You may want to makeseveral, depending on the number of children you have as only one child can use it at a time. Play with it a while to discover for yourself what can be done.
- Show the children how to use the box by moving a magnet across the bottom to make the iron filings move. They look through the top to see the results. Using the magnet on the plastic side iscertainly permissible, the results just aren't as dramatic. The kids will soon discover this on their own.
- After the children have had a chance to thoroughly explore the possibilities of the magnet boxes, they may begin to talk about the pattern created when the magnet is first touched to the bottomof the box. if not, show them. Different magnets produce different designs. Demonstrate with an assortment if possible. Tell the children that this is one type of real force field. It shows the areathat is affected by the power of the magnet. Some magnets are more powerful than others and so affect a larger area. If you like, you can make permanent magnet pictures. Use the time tested method ofsprinkling filings on sturdy paper, placing the magnet underneath, and spraying the resulting design with clear varnish.
- The magnet boxes should be available to the children so that the fun and experimentation can continue over an extended period of time. Big ideas need more than one lesson period to be absorbed.The boxes make it easy to give the children that valuable time.
Things you will need- a shallow box with a clear, plastic lid such as a stationery box, (or a shallow box and heavy plastic wrap)
- heavy tape such as duct or book binding tape magnets
- iron filings - these are available from hardware stores who cut thread on iron pipe or from scientific supply companies (see your local yellow pages)
Want to do more?Vary the amount of iron filings in the boxes. Place other objects in the boxes with or without the filings. You might want to use some things which magnets don't attract. See the index forother magnet ideas. | 
