Magnets for toys and games are a brilliant idea because you can use magnetism for many things. However, it is important to emphasize that there are strict rules when using magnets: you must always disclose the use of magnets and the dangers of magnetism, and if you make products for children with magnets, you must not be able to peel the parts apart due to the danger of suffocation. There are not exactly the same rules when making products for adults, but always contact the Safety Agency in your country first before developing toys or games with magnets in them to get a safety approval.
Magnets in toys
An example of the use of magnets in toys is the Brio train, which connects with ball magnets. The magnetism is used to control which carriages can (and which way they must) be coupled together by having different poles facing out. North to north or south to south will repel, while opposite poles will attract.
There are also mazes with a magnetic stick where you have to guide a metal ball to different places, which has become a big thing as a learning toy in kindergartens. When using magnets with metal, you don't have to think about the pole direction of the magnet, as it will behave "monopolarly" (ie attracting from all sides) towards the metal
By using magnets, you can control several things: how the toy is assembled, the ability to put things together or if they should be repelled instead, and you can make many different games and puzzles with the same toy simply by switching between the different poles.
Magnets are an easy way to assemble things and take them apart again. Children can take toys apart and put them back together more easily with magnets compared to having to click, stick or screw things together.
Bestsellers for both games and toys can be found below this blog post - they should preferably be strong magnets without being overly strong, so that you avoid getting skin stuck and wild collisions. Always feel free to contact us for advice on your project.
Magnets in board games
You might be familiar with the board games Magic Tower, Klask or Kluster. All brilliant games with magnetism, where the use of magnets makes the game extra fun.
Magic Tower uses magnet against metal. You can only find the key by hitting the right field with your magnetic piece, so you can win over the wizard and free the princess in the high tower. The magnetism is used to find the right hollow field with the key - on all the other fields where the key is not stored, the magnetism has no function.
Klask, which is a Danish pub game, uses magnet against magnet. But in principle you will also be able to use metal figures for your Klask game. It works by moving your magnet under the table so that the opponent cannot anticipate your move, and then you can play with the "ball" in different directions. If you're really good, you can get to play pretty well. But it's also fun to play as a beginner, because you have to get to know the magnetism to be able to shoot well in the game, and it can lead to some wild and fun outcomes.
Kluster is one of the newer board games that uses magnets. You create a playing field using a string, and then you take turns placing the pieces. The trick is that the pieces are magnetic, and if they stick together, you have to pick them up by hand. The first to get rid of his pieces is the winner. Simple and fun.
Magnets in other toys
Geomag has become a classic and a staple. It is a building kit with rods, plates, etc. that are put together with ball magnets. It is elegant and provides a huge amount of freedom because you can turn and rotate the magnets freely.
The idea behind Geomag can of course be scaled up to a larger model. The people at Panelcraft have that going on with their Kickstarter project, where they make building sets big enough that children can actually be inside them. Maybe you have the courage to make your own version of a magnetic building kit?
Teddy bears are also a classic, and why not make them magnetic so they can hang on the fridge or on the car? Or as on another Kickstarter project with "mix & match" teddy bears. Then the children can freely swap around the teddy bear limbs to great amusement for children and adults.
Magnets in TTRPG and other roleplaying games
Large figure-based strategy games such as Warhammer is a true magnetic dream. Many hours of work go into painting all the equipment packs and putting them together, so why not make them magnetic and make the game easier? A very common technique is to put magnets on e.g. the arms and on the body, it is easier to change the arm if you e.g. need a different arm with a different weapon, a different uniform or something like that. If you play a game where weapons and equipment are detatched, and where (as on the Warhammer figures) there is room for tiny magnets, mounting the magnets will make it easy to switch between the different things.
The artillery for role-playing games can quickly grow to consist of many parts. Even during transport, the magnets can help: place small magnets in the base of the figure and place an iron plate at the bottom of your transport box for the strategy figures. That way, they will stay standing securely and will not roll around inbetween each other.
We can recommend this 2x1 mm. magnet for Warhammer figures.
The small magnets in the base can also be useful if you imbed iron plates into your board or the terrain built for the RPG. then there won't be total chaos if someone moves to the table, because the figures are now more fixed.
Travel games
Few people probably give it much thought, but travel and pocket sized games are often made with magnets. Small classic travel games such as chess, checkers, backgammon, ludo etc. all available in magnetic versions designed to be played in the backseat of a car, on a train ride, boat ride or plane ride. The magnets ensure that the pieces stay in place. But did you know that the latest thing is to use travel games on the fridge door? It just requires that you have a fridge with a magnetic front (not aluminum). And then the game can also be used in everyday life, adding a more fun flare to your fridge at the same time. Or the simple version: use some divider tape to draw up the "course" and put small magnets on the underside of Ludo pieces or chess pieces.
This post ended up being a little longer than we planned, but we just have so many ideas. And we would very much like to inspire you to use more magnets in your everyday life. Please don't hesitate to contact us if we can help you with magnets for your project.
