Magnetism Experiment Worksheet

Magnetism is one of the first invisible forces a child can actually test with their own hands, and that makes it a perfect entry point into physical science. A magnet pulls on objects made of iron and steel, passes right by wood, glass, rubber and plastic, and pushes or pulls on another magnet depending on which poles are facing. This magnetism experiment worksheet turns those three ideas into one focused practice page for 3rd graders, so students move from “magnets are cool” to being able to predict, sort and explain what a magnet will do.

This 3rd grade magnets worksheet is a two-page printable with three short parts. In Part A, students read an eight-word box of everyday objects and write each one under Magnetic or Not Magnetic, using the material named in each phrase as the clue. In Part B, they study three pairs of labeled bar magnets and decide whether the facing poles will attract or repel. In Part C, they write a short explanation of why a magnet lifts a steel paper clip but leaves a plastic straw alone. Use it as independent practice after a hands-on magnet exploration, as a station activity, as homework, or as a quick check before a unit test. Everything a student needs is on the page, so no lab materials are required.

What’s Included

• 1 print-ready PDF worksheet
• Answer key
• 8 magnetic material sorting items, 3 attract-or-repel pole problems, and 1 written explanation

Three things make this magnetism experiment worksheet stick. First, the sorting activity is built on materials rather than object names, so students learn the real rule — iron and steel are attracted, cotton, glass, rubber and wood are not — instead of memorizing a list. Second, the pole problems ask students to read two pieces of information and combine them, which is exactly the multi-step reasoning 3rd grade science expects. Third, the written response gives students a place to say the science out loud in their own words, and it gives you a fast, honest look at who really understands attraction and who is still guessing.

Teachers and parents can stretch this lesson well past the page. Give each student a magnet and a tray of classroom objects and have them predict, test and tally before they ever pick up a pencil. Tape a paper clip to a string and see how close the magnet has to get before the clip jumps — a great way to talk about a force acting at a distance. Slide a magnet under a sheet of paper to move a clip like a puppet, or float a magnet on a cork in water and watch it swing north. For an easy challenge, ask students to find three magnetic things at home that are not on this page and explain how they knew.

Related Resources

• Is it Magnetic Worksheet
• Classroom Objects Magnet Attraction Worksheet
• Magnets Lesson Plan
• Matter Song by Have Fun Teaching