Magnet Rummy!

Place your magnets carefully to make other players pick them up! For 2 or more players

You will need:

• 16 magnets
• postcard or greetings card

How to Play:

Object of the game: to be the first to get rid of all your magnets.

• Divide the magnets equally between players. If there are any magnets left over, put them on the card.
• Take turns to place magnets carefully onto the card, so that they don’t attract other magnets.
• If a player’s move attracts other magnets, that player must pick up all of the magnets which have stuck together.
• Continue play.
• If a player has only one magnet left, they must knock on the playing surface.
• Play ends when one player has got rid of all of their magnets.
• Play may continue to see who comes second/third/fourth etc.

The Science Bit:

Magnets are polar, with a North and South pole. Opposite poles attract, so North and South ends of magnets will stick together. Magnets create a magnetic field around them which is stronger nearer to the magnet itself. Placing one magnet inside the field of another may cause them to attract.

You could try:

• Using different types of magnets to play the game
• Changing the size of the card
• Using different textures so that the magnets slide more or less easily, e.g., corrugated card, a plate, fur fabric, a face cloth, a plastic bag
• Adding other magnetic items, e.g., paperclips, coins. You could invent a points system for these items!