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Home / Early Learning / Preschool Arts and Crafts / Magnetic Robot Art with Tin Cans

Magnetic Robot Art with Tin Cans

Shared by Mary Catherine 7 Comments

When we were learning about robots, the preschool kiddos had fun with magnetic robot art.  It’s a robot craft that’s been done time and again, but the children loved it!

Are you following Fun-A-Day’s Mr. Roboto Pinterest board?

Making magnetic robot art with tin cans and craft supplies

Table of Contents

  • magnetic robot art made with craft supplies
  • Robot-Themed Preschool Lesson Plans

magnetic robot art made with craft supplies

Materials We Used
I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Tin cans
Glue gun
Magnets and magnetic strips
Pompoms
Nuts and bolts
Foam stickers
Pipe cleaners
Craft gems
Googly eyes

Set Up
I made sure the tin cans were all cleaned out, and I placed duct tape around the edges just to be safe.  The boys and girls helped me choose a variety of materials for the magnetic robot art.  They gave it a lot of consideration, and I loved seeing how invested they were in the process!

Creating magnetic robot art with tin cans and craft supplies

Once all the materials were chosen, I set about magnetizing everything. I just used the glue gun to attach magnets or magnetic strips to each item.

Then I set the magnets and the tin cans out on one of our center tables.  My boys and girls happily descended upon the center and got started on their robots.

creating magnetic robot art with tin cans and craft supplies

How the Children Created
As expected, many of the children chose to create robot faces with all of the materials.  We had some very interesting creations!  Some robots had 2 eyes, while others had 7.  A few of the robots had puffy noses and no mouths.  Any and all combinations were fair game for the students.

Not all of the children wanted to make robots.  These kiddos just enjoyed the process of adding as many magnets as possible to the tin cans.  They were caught up in the different textures, and a few spent some time counting all of the bits and bobs on the cans.

creating magnetic robot art with tin cans and craft supplies

The magnetic robot art was left out as a center choice for a week.  Each day, the kiddos spent some time exploring and creating. I put the items away at the end of the week, and some children continued to bring them out during centers.  It was interesting to see who was really drawn to these creative robots!

More Magnetic Robots

Robot-Themed Preschool Lesson Plans

If you have some robot-lovin’ preschoolers, take a look at these plans for the preschool classroom and home preschool families. Each set has a week’s worth of lesson plans, full of hands-on learning activities about robots. There’s science, literacy, math, and more planned for the week, with ideas that kids can do in various grouping sizes. The plans also come with a book list, activity explanations, and printables that correspond with the hands-on plans.

If you loved the robot writing tray check out these robot preschool lesson plans

Get yours here: Preschool Classroom | Home Preschool

Here are a few more ideas for movable robot art.  I love that such a basic activity can have so many permutations!

  • Mix and Match Recycled Robots from Fun At Home with Kids
  • Tin Can Magnetic Robots from The Chocolate Muffin Tree
  • Make Your Own Magnetic Play Set from Teach Preschool

Filed Under: Preschool Arts and Crafts Tagged With: Robots

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Comments

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  1. jaime@FSPDT says

    June 6, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    This is so cool!! I would have just as much fun as the kids with this:)

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 11, 2014 at 9:49 am

      I know what you mean, Jaime! It’s so fun to join in during their play. 🙂 Thanks, hon!

      Reply
  2. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants says

    June 7, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Brilliant idea. I love how you nurture creativity of kiddos in your preschool. We have to do this magnet art at home one of these days!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 11, 2014 at 9:45 am

      Thanks, Natalie! They did so much with this easy activity, and I loved hearing their conversations. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Vicky @ Mess For Less says

    June 10, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    What a great way to use a tin can! Pinned and stumbled.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 11, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Thanks so much, Vicky! I was pretty entertained with all of their great creations. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jenny Deiser says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    These are adorable! My kids would love them, especially since their uncle works in robotics. What an easy and fun project.

    Reply
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My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

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