Dip metal nuts, bolts, washers and mini-wrenches in paint, set them on paper taped to an easel, and steer them with a heavy magnet held behind the board so they paint trails. It mixes art and magnet science in one open-ended activity.
Tape a large piece of paper to the easel, or to sturdy cardboard propped at an angle.
Set out the hardware in a bowl, with a string tied to one piece for each paint color.
Try it without paint first: place a metal nut on the paper while an adult moves the heavy magnet back and forth behind the board.
Take the magnet away and watch the nut fall. Crash!
Talk about it: Why does it move? What is magnetic attraction?
Dip a bolt or mini-wrench into paint, using its string or your hand.
Place it on the paper and "catch" it with the magnet from behind, or it will crash.
Move the magnet around behind the board so the painted hardware paints your picture.
Add more colors and pieces, and watch them stick together.
When the painting is done, build a sculpture from the painted hardware.
At a local hardware store. A craft store (Michaels) didn't have the heavy-duty magnets. The wrenches, bolts and washers in the post were recycled from a toolbox, and small wrench sets cost about $3-$8 at Home Depot.
Not well. The magnet needs to be heavier than a fridge magnet and must touch the back of the board. The one in the post came from the base of a drill.
💬 7 comments
🛠️ Troubleshooting
A reader asked where to buy supplies. The guest blogger says the craft store didn't carry heavy-duty magnets, but a local hardware store has everything.
“All materials can be found at your local hardware store. Michaels didn't have the heavy duty magnets.”
🛠️ Troubleshooting
The wrenches, bolts and washers came from the family toolbox; small wrench sets are also sold cheaply at hardware stores.
“The wrenches, bolts, and washers are recycled from our toolbox. Home Depot has a small wrench sets ranging from $3-$8.”
🎉 Worked for us
A reader liked how the magnets bring a bit of science into an open-ended painting activity.
“That's a great way to incorporate some science into art-play!”
🎉 Worked for us
A reader enjoyed seeing a hands-on, old-school activity spark a child's imagination in a world of computers.
“In this world of computers, its great to see old.school activities at play.”
Read all 7 comments
Sandra G · Aug 2013
That's a great way to incorporate some science into art-play! Where would I buy the strong magnets and mini-wrenches? -- Are they available at a craft store, or do I need to head out to a hardware store (i.e. Lowes, etc.). Are they sold by the bag? Thanks!!!
crayonboxchronicles · Aug 2013 · replying to Sandra G
Thank you Sandra! All materials can be found at your local hardware store. Michaels didn't have the heavy duty magnets. The wrenches, bolts, and washers are recycled from our toolbox. Home Depot has a small wrench sets ranging from $3-$8.
Angie · Aug 2013
Nothing better than watching a child"s imagination at work. You can see the sheer pleasure in C's face. In this world of computers, its great to see old.school activities at play. Keep up the good work, ladies!