I extracted the magnetic materials from plain old dirt. Then, I pulverized the materials and added them to the oil solution to form the ferrofluid.

Supplies

The supplies used are listed below:

-Dirt

-Magnets

-Plastic bag or film

-Oil (Vegetable was used, but others will work too)

-Ziplock bag

-Hammer

Step 1:

Get yourself some dirt. Any dirt will do as long as there are ferrous materials present (which most dirt has).

Step 2:

Extracting the magnetic material can be tricky. You will need to envelop the magnet with a plastic film in order to separate the magnetic metals from the attraction. You can empty the residue into a cup where it can be collected.

Step 3:

Empty your findings from the cup into a sealable plastic bag. Crush as much of the metals as possible into a powdery state.

Step 4:

Pour oil into a bowl and empty your crushed metal powder into it. Mix the powder into the oil thoroughly until entirely incorporated.

Step 5:

Place a magnet under the bowl and enjoy the wonderful physics of ferrofluid. Move the magnet around to shift the structures.