My kids have been playing with this DIY marble run all week and today I’m going to show you how to make a marble run with kids using simple, household supplies like paper rolls and tape.
Marble Run Supplies
To keep this simple (I like simple), this is all you will need:
- Cardboard rolls
- Painter’s Tape
- Marble/s or small rolling objects
- Scissors
- Bowl or basket
Decorate your Marble Run rolls (optional)
For this DIY marble run, we started by wrapping the paper towel and toilet paper rolls with colored masking tape. This step is purely decorative, but it added some pizazz to the design and kept my daughter busy for a good part of a morning. Totally worth it, in my estimation.
We had fun layering and wrapping tape, selecting colors, and cutting the rolls. Once the rolls were appropriately covered, I took a pair of scissors and cut the tubes in half, right down the center. N thought this looked like fun so she jumped in on the cutting action too.
Find some clear wall space
Set your marble run up on an empty wall, large window, or sliding glass door.
We found some wall space, taped the highest tube to a spot that N could easily reach, and kept on taping rolls until we had something we were happy with.
Make a Marble Run
If you want to make a marble run work, it’s best to test it as you go. Marbles move fast and like to fly right out of the tubes if they’re not positioned to catch speedy marbles. We tested the sections of our DIY marble run a few times to work out the angles and distances. This is a fabulous math and physical science lesson!
Watch the magic happen
Once we got it to a place that seemed to work, N dropped in her marble and stood back to watch the magic happen.
Add a basket to catch your marbles
We needed something to catch the balls (and jellybeans!), and a strawberry basket was just right for the job.
Experiment
- Try rolling other objects down the chute. How do they compare to the marbles?
- Make chutes out of other objects such as cut-up + folded cardboard boxes or folded paper. What material/s make for the best chutes?
- Build a marble run inside a large cardboard box.
This is awesome! I love the idea of taping it up on a wall!! So much fun! We’ll have to give a try!
Love this idea! You are definitely inspiring us to create a marble run of some kind! I need to find our marbles! This marble run is very doable because we have tons of tubes!!! Excited to try one! (Wonder if C will be too!)
love it! This is something my son will have so much fun with. Thanks for the inspiration
you’re welcome!
We did this when we visited my mom. She doesn’t have a ton of toys for the kids but she saved all her tubes and containers. We ended up putting a tin foil ball through some of the runs and some dry pasta. This project kept us busy for days! I think it is time we do it again. Thanks for the great reminder.
this is so cool, sarah! thanks for sharing the photo. i especially like all of the entry points. how fun!
This is very nice!
I love it, and will try it in a few days with my children.
One idea for a marble game I learned from my friend and former assistant director, was to cut small curved doors in several shoe boxes, and just roll the marbles on the floor through the boxes.
I might make some of her ideas and post them. I’ll let you know if I can get to it.
Brenda
so glad this inspired you, brenda 🙂 i didn’t think to use shoe boxes. we’ll have to try that next time i have empty boxes in the house.
Love that idea!!!!
I was going through my supplies for my classroom today, want to use things up before the end of the year. We are definitely trying this next week!!!
very cool! i hope it goes well…do let me know 🙂
Craft Sticks and a glue gun make an excellent and long lasting marble run. You can see how here: http://bit.ly/mkWPuX
We’ve also made a marble race with two ramps using a cardboard box: http://bit.ly/e5uUuY
Another way is to use PVC pipes: http://bit.ly/iuK5fN
Enjoy!
I love that you used a jelly bean. I never would have thought of that!
Hahahha
yep really loved the stage of building and testing – will see how it goes over the next few days…
http://umatji.blogspot.com/2011/05/wheeeeeeeeeee-said-marble.html
worked really well for both my boys which was interesting – the 5 year old and the 1 1/2 year old.
thanks for inspiration!
love this one! great to see you again on Craft Schooling Sunday! I’ve actually been in Berkeley for two weeks so you may notice a little No.Cal flavor to my posts! all the best.
I DID notice that, Sara! Are you from the Bay Area? I love your blog, and always get great ideas from you and your readers.
Oh my goodness I love Sarah’s idea that she posted above 🙂
Anyway, Rachelle – I featured this on this week’s It’s Playtime – all about upcycling items and this one is so much fun 🙂
Jamie
I know, I love Sarah’s idea too! Thanks for including us on It’s Playtime, Jamie — what a great collection of play ideas!
Love this! I’m always looking for science demos that I can do for my toddler/preschool library story time groups. I can set it up ahead of time and let the families experiment with it after I finish my presentation. Even better to suggest jelly beans. Safety with the little ones is tricky with some science demos that I’d love to try.
Thank you!
Amy L
i’ve been wanting to do this for so long! except i was going to glue magnets to the toilet rolls so they’d stick to a metal sheet. thanks for sharing 🙂
Simple and beautifully done. Thanks for sharing. I’ve posted a link to it from http://craftandkids.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/recycled-marble-run.html
All the time. My little one is a bit older, now he likes to build bigger with pvc. We’ve even done one with aquarium tubing that went all around the basement. Bit more of a rube goldberg in some places and super fun. I should do a write up.
Children evolve with time and experience. I would love to see a write up — please send me a link if you remember.
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i think its a great idea when you get bored you can find some things and make one
i live in Australia and its
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i love this idea. i will try it out with my 3 kids
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That looks fun to experiment with my kids! Just gotta be careful of the tape tearing the wall paint!