A metal is a shiny material found in the ground. Many of the items that magnets attract are made from the metals iron and steel. Magnets attract objects made from some other metals, too. Objects made from iron and steel have the property of magnetism. Magnetism is the property of an object that makes it attract iron and some other metals.
Natural magnets come from a rock called magnetite.
Magnetite is not a very strong magnet. Permanent magnets, made from iron and steel, are usually stronger than magnetite. Iron is a very useful metal. It is mixed with other materials to make steel. Steel is a metal used to build buildings, railroads, and bridges.