They should feel the force of the attraction or repulsion between the magnets, depending on which ends they push together. Encourage children to experiment with the middle and sides of the magnets also. Tell them that what they are feeling are the magnetic fields that surround the magnet. Have children find magnetic poles by bringing two magnets near each other. Round magnets have their poles on each flat side.
Bar magnets have poles at the ends.
Have children slide a few ring magnets onto a pencil, with like poles together. When they hold their pencils straight up, they should find that the upper magnets seem to float. Ask them why this happens. 4.6.2 Have children who have ridden on traditional trains describe the experience. Unit 4 Review, pp.