What is iron?

Iron is a kind of metal and also a chemical element. That means it is one of the simple building blocks that make up many things in the world.

1. Iron is a metal

Iron is hard and strong. People use iron to make cars, bridges, bikes, pots, and tools. Many things you touch every day have iron inside them or are made from iron mixed with other metals.

2. Iron is inside your body

Your body needs iron to carry oxygen in your blood. A special part of your blood called hemoglobin grabs oxygen in your lungs and brings it to all parts of your body. If you do not have enough iron, you can feel tired or weak.

3. Where we find iron

• In food: red meat, beans, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.
• In things around the house: nails, metal toy cars, some kitchen pans.
• In the ground: iron is mined from rocks in the Earth.

4. Fun facts

• Iron is magnetic — a magnet will pull iron objects like nails or paper clips.
• Iron can rust. Rust is orange-brown and happens when iron gets wet and sees air.
• Iron mixed with other metals makes things stronger (this is called steel).

5. Simple, safe activities (ask an adult to help)

1. Find iron with a magnet: Put a magnet near a table of small objects (paper clip, plastic bead, coin, wooden button). See which items jump to the magnet. The ones that move are made of iron or contain iron.
2. See rust: With an adult, put two clean nails in cups. Put water in one cup and keep the other nail dry. Check the nail with water over a few days to see orange-brown rust form. (Do not taste anything. Throw away materials when the experiment is done.)

6. Why iron is important

Iron helps build strong things and keeps your body healthy. Eating iron-rich foods and playing with safe magnets are easy ways to learn about iron.

Remember: Always ask an adult before doing experiments and before taking any medicine or vitamins. Iron is good, but too much is not safe without a grown-up's help.