A few fun magnets are a quick, easy and inexpensive gift idea. And more good news: your little helpers can actually help you make them.

You’ll need

• Plain round or rectangle magnets from craft shops or $2 shops or similar
• Plywood cut-outs from Spotlight or Bunnings, around $1.50 each.
• Paints in your choice of colour
• Paintbrush
• A hot glue gun or superglue

Step one

Get the kids to help you paint the plywood cut-outs, then simply glue the magnets onto the backs in the centre (for the best weigh distribution). Leave until dry.

Package ideas

Cut some stiff coloured cardboard in a narrow column and use scalloped-edge scissors on the edges. Let the kids write a Christmas message to their friends and place the magnets on either side of the paper so they stick together, holding the cardboard in place. Wrap in paper.

Tip: If you want to be able to hold the cardboard in place, work out which way the magnets connect together (two at a time) before you glue the buttons on and then glue on the other side. If it’s wrong, the magnetic force will push them apart instead of pulling them together.

Other things to try as magnets

• Playing cards
• Small toy cars or figurines
• Dominoes