Magnets in toys

Magnets in board games

Maybe you know the Anthill, Magic Tower, Klask or Kluster. All brilliant games with magnetism, where the use of magnets makes the game extra fun.

The anthill uses magnets against magnets with alternating poles that determine whether you are allowed to build your anthill higher or not. Same pole repels and opposite pole attracts.

Magic Tower uses magnet against metal. So you can only find the key by hitting the right square with your magnetic piece, so you can win over the wizard and free the princess in the high tower. The magnetism is therefore only 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 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 are really good, you can get to play quite 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 funny outcomes.

Kluster is one of the newer board games that uses magnets. You put a string in a closed race, 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 is by now what you have to call a real classic. It is a building kit where rods, plates, etc. are put together with ball magnets. It is elegant and gives a huge freedom that you can turn and rotate the magnets freely.

The idea with 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 good 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 figure strategy and role playing

Large figure strategy games such as Warhammer is a true magnet 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 loose, and where (as on the Warhammer figures) there is room for tiny magnets, mounting the magnets will make it playfully easy to switch between the different things.

The army for such a role-playing game can consist of many parts. So also 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 case for the strategy figures.That way, they stand securely and don't mess around between each other.

We can recommend this 2x1 mm. magnet for Warhammer figures.

The small magnets in the base can also be used if you put iron plates into the terrain you build to play on. then there won't be total chaos if someone moves to the table, because the figures are now more fixed.

Travel game

Few people probably think about it, but travel games are often made with magnets. Small classic travel games such as chess, checkers, backgammon, ludo, etc. are all available in magnetic versions designed to be played in the back seat of a car, on a train, boat 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, at the same time as the fridge gets a slightly more pleasant function. or other forms of travel. This can then be expanded a little and e.g. use his travel game on the fridge door. 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 took a little longer than planned, but we just have so much on our minds. And we would very much like to inspire you to use more magnets in your everyday life. Also for games and toys - in the easy and safe way but at the same time the most brilliant way. So don't hesitate to contact us if we can help you with magnets for your project.