How to Make Foam Magnets

Looking for an easy craft project for those rainy days when the kids are stuck inside? Make up a bunch of these foam magnets and they will forget how bored they were. Make any shapes you want and let the kids go wild decorating them. Cut out letters and numbers for teaching your preschooler the alphabet and how to count while having fun sticking them on the refrigerator.

Things You'll Need

• Craft foam sheets (assorted colors)
• Self-sticking magnet strips
• Craft glue
• Metal cookie cutters, any shapes
• Embellishments such as glitter pens, beads, craft eyes

Instructions

1. 

   Lay a sheet of craft foam on your work surface. Press a cookie cutter firmly into the foam sheet, leaving an impression in the foam. Remove the cookie cutter and cut out the shape using scissors. If using an utility knife to cut out the shape, be sure to place the foam sheet on top of a wooden cutting board.

2. Decorate the foam shapes. Color with glitter pens, glue on beads or googly craft eyes, or use any other embellishments you like. Let the shapes dry.

3. Cut a piece of the self-stick magnet to fit on the back of the shape. The length of the magnet should be 1/2 inch to 1 inch smaller than the diameter of the shape. Remove the paper backing on the magnet strip you cut; stick firmly on the wrong side of the magnet.

4. Place finished magnets on your refrigerator. Use to hold lightweight pieces of paper or notes.

Tips & Warnings

• To make smaller magnets, use a scrapbooking shape cutter in place of the cookie cutter.

• Supervise children under 12 when using an utility knife.