A good way of introducing younger children to the uses of magnets is to make a magnetic theatre similar to the one shown in the photographs.
The figures in the theatre are cut out of cardboard and each one is mounted on a small steel disc about the size of a 5p piece.
The characters are moved around the stage by wooden rods under the stage with a magnet fixed to the end of each one. (These rods are usually operated from the back of the theatre but are shown at the front so that you can see them more clearly.) It shows that the magnetic field of the disc magnets can pass through the thick cardboard stage.
This is another simple toy that can be used to introduce younger pupils to magnetism. A series of cardboard fish should be cut out of cardboard and a steel paper clip fixed to each one.
Place the fish in a bucket, and try to catch them using a small magnet on the end of a string tied to a length of dowel rod, the fishing rod. If each fish has a score written on it, this makes a fun game.
The photograph shows a similar game where you had to fish for film stars to raise money at the May Fair in my village for the local film club.