Science · Colouring and ticking worksheet
Magnetic Materials Worksheet (Free KS2 Science Printable)
This free printable worksheet supports the Year 3 science topic Forces and Magnets. Children look at a friendly line drawing of a horseshoe magnet surrounded by everyday objects, then decide which ones a magnet would pull towards it and which it would not. It is an ideal first activity for introducing the idea that some materials are magnetic and others are not.
A common misconception is that all metals are magnetic. This sheet gently challenges that idea, helping children notice that magnetic materials are usually iron and steel, while objects made from wood, plastic, rubber and glass are left behind. Print it on one side of A4 for the classroom or the kitchen table.
Magnetic or Not?
Free Science worksheet · Ages 7 to 8
Activity 1
Colour the horseshoe magnet in the middle. Then colour the objects around it however you like.
- Colour the horseshoe magnet bright red.
- Colour the wooden pencil brown and the glass marble blue.
Activity 2
Look at each object in the picture. Put a tick next to the ones a magnet would pull towards it.
- The steel paperclip is magnetic
- The iron nail is magnetic
- The wooden pencil is magnetic
- The plastic toy brick is magnetic
- The rubber is magnetic
- The metal key is magnetic
- The glass marble is magnetic
Magnetic or Not?owee.worldAnswer key
- The steel paperclip is magnetic — tick
- The iron nail is magnetic — tick
- The metal key is magnetic — tick
What this worksheet teaches
The worksheet asks children to sort seven familiar objects into those a magnet will attract and those it will not. By working through the steel paperclip, iron nail, wooden pencil, plastic brick, rubber, metal key and glass marble, they begin to spot a pattern: the objects that are pulled towards the magnet tend to be made of iron or steel. This matches the Year 3 expectation that pupils compare and group everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials. The colouring task adds a calm, focused way in for children who learn best through hands-on activity.
The key idea: not all metals are magnetic
The most important learning point at this stage is that magnetic materials are usually iron and steel, but that does not mean every metal is magnetic. Many metals children handle every day, such as the aluminium in a drinks can, the copper in a coin or the gold and silver in jewellery, are not attracted to a magnet at all. Steel is magnetic because it is mostly iron. If you have time, follow the sheet with a quick test: gather a few metal items and a magnet and let children check their predictions. Finding a metal that the magnet ignores is often the moment the idea really sticks.
How to use it at home or in class
Print the sheet and talk through each object before children commit to an answer. Encourage them to say why they think something is magnetic rather than just guessing. The strongest follow-up is to test real objects: a fridge magnet and a handful of safe household items work well. Remind children that a magnet does not need to touch an object to pull it, and that magnets can attract through paper or fabric. For an extra challenge, ask them to find their own magnetic object somewhere in the room and explain what it is made of.
Building towards later forces work
Sorting materials by their magnetic properties lays the groundwork for the wider Year 3 forces unit, including how magnets attract and repel, how they have two poles, and how some forces act at a distance while others need direct contact. Recognising iron and steel as magnetic also feeds into later science about everyday uses of magnets, from fridge doors and cupboard catches to recycling plants that separate steel from aluminium. Keeping the language precise now, magnetic rather than simply metal, helps avoid a misconception that is otherwise hard to unpick later.
Frequently asked questions
What materials are magnetic for KS2?
At KS2 the materials children need to recognise as magnetic are iron and steel. Steel counts because it is made mostly of iron. Materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, glass and most other metals, including aluminium and copper, are not attracted to a magnet.
Are all metals magnetic?
No. This is the most common misconception in this topic. Only a few metals, mainly iron, steel, nickel and cobalt, are attracted to magnets. Many everyday metals such as aluminium, copper, gold and silver are not magnetic at all, which is why testing real objects is such a useful follow-up to this worksheet.
What age is this magnetic materials worksheet for?
It is written for children aged 7 to 8, in Year 3, which is the start of KS2. The objects and language are pitched for that age group, but it can also suit a confident Year 2 child or be used for revision in Year 4.
How do you explain magnets to a 7 year old?
Explain that a magnet has an invisible pull that grabs hold of certain materials, mostly things made of iron and steel. It does not need to touch an object to pull it, and it ignores materials like wood, plastic and glass. Testing a few objects with a fridge magnet makes the idea clear and memorable.
Is this magnetic materials worksheet free to print?
Yes. The worksheet is completely free to download and print on a single side of A4. You can use it at home or in the classroom as many times as you like.
Curriculum links
- Year 3 Science, Forces and Magnets: compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials.
- Year 3 Science, Forces and Magnets: notice that some forces need contact between two objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance.
- Year 3 Science, Forces and Magnets: observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others.
- Working Scientifically (Years 3 and 4): setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests, and making systematic and careful observations.
Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.
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