Making Magnets

What fridge isn't covered with magnets? Now your preschooler can personalize your fridge with his/her own homemade magnets.

Photo Magnets

Materials:

• Projector slides
• Magnetic strips
• Paint, crayons, beads
• Glue, tape

Projector slides (available at photography stores) provide great base for magnetic frames. First, decorate the front of the slide using crayons, paint or markers. You can even hang ribbons, glue on beads, stickers, etc. When dry, glue magnetic strips onto the back of the slide. Tape or glue your picture to the back of the slide, centering it in the window and so that the picture faces outward. Let it dry and stick it on your fridge.

Plaster Magnets

Materials:

• Plaster of Paris
• Magnetic discs
• Glue or hot glue
• Candy or cookie molds
• Paint, markers, glitter glue
• Clear acrylic

Line cookie molds with a thin layer of Vaseline. Next, prepare plaster of Paris according to the directions. Pour the plaster into the molds. While the plaster is still wet, gently insert magnetic discs, sinking them a little more halfway in. Let plaster dry (about one to two hours) and then pop it out of the molds.

Your child can then decorate the magnets using paints, markers, glitter glue, etc. He/she can also glue on felt, feathers, pom-poms, googlye-eyes, etc.

When paint and glue is dry, you can spray the magnet with a clear acrylic to protect it.

By Rochelle Strauss