How to Make a Magnet Book

Learning how to make a magnet book is a wonderful way of making an educational toy specifically geared toward your child’s current needs. Whether it is shapes, letters, numbers, animals, colors, or words that your child is learning about, when you incorporate them into a homemade magnet book you reinforce all the learning that took place in preschool or kindergarten. Since there is an endless variety of subjects, the child can continue to use this book for years to come. Best of all, learning how to make a magnet book is easy, quick and cheap!

Things You'll Need

• 3 sheets of 13 by 19-inch book board
• 1twist tie
• Single hole punch
• 3 adhesive 8.5 by 11-inch magnet sheets
• 3 self stick dry erase sheets (optional)
• Computer
• Microsoft Word
• Inkjet printer
• 8.5 by 11-inch magnetic paper
• Feathers
• Glitter
• Glue (optional)
• Scissors

Instructions

The Pages

1. Purchase three sheets of 13 by 19-inch book board and in the upper left corner of each page punch a hole with the single hole punch. Place all three pages on top of the other with the holes all facing the upper left hand corner.

2. Take the first magnet sheet and carefully remove the paper liner covering the adhesive on the back.

3. Turn over the sheet so the adhesive side faces down and gently place the magnet sheet in the center of the top book board. Apply pressure to the mounted magnet sheet until it is firmly attached to the book board. Put aside this board.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the other two book boards and magnet sheets. You now have three book board pages which have a page sized magnet attached in the middle.

5. Place all three pages on top of one another so that all the holes are in the upper left corner. Fasten the pages together with the twist tie. You end up with a three page book that will become the basis for your magnet book. Since you used a twist tie that may be easily opened, you can always add more pages to your book!

6. Apply the dry erase sheets to the backs of the book board pages to which you affixed the magnet sheets. Simply peel off the backing, center, and press the sheets onto the boards. This is an optional step, but if you decide to go through with it, you will make a magnet book that also doubles as a coloring book.

The Pieces

1. Turn on your computer and open a Microsoft Word document.

2. Create the shapes and figures of your magnets. For a young child you might decide on making simple basic shapes in bright colors. For older children you could decide on a jungle, farm, or even zoo scene with plenty of animals, plants, and people. Use clip art from the Microsoft library or import some from the many websites that offer free clip art.

3. Place the magnetic paper into your inkjet printer and print out the images you created.

4. Glue the decorations to the images. For example, if you printed out some birds go ahead and glue some feathers to them; if you made clouds, why not apply some glitter glue for a sparkly effect? This is an optional step but will greatly enhance the enjoyment your child will derive from the magnets.

5. Pick up your scissors and carefully cut out the magnetic shapes you just printed out. They are now ready for use on the magnetic book board pages.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, use the 20 to 24 millimeter thick magnetic paper which will make for sturdier magnetic shapes. The problem is that it does not properly feed through each and every model inkjet printer. Try one sheet and see if it will work. If not, go with the regular magnetic paper.

• Always supervise young children around magnets! They are so colorful that a child might be tempted to chew on one and inadvertently swallow it.