Case in point: The marble run. This whimsical toy is one of the best STEM activities around for younger kids, and it’s powered by nothing more than gravity. Your youngster will learn a lot about that fundamental force of nature by playing with a marble run, and they’ll get to see friction and some basic engineering principles in action as well. This budget-friendly set comes with 105 marble run pieces to create elaborate, continuous setups. The bright, colorful nature of the pieces will likely do well to keep a little one’s attention. If you’ve got the space for it, go big with this peg board marble ramp which is easily constructed out paper tubes. The GraviTrax encourages kids to start simple and build, allowing this set to grow with your kid developmentally with more challenging elements. It doesn’t require batteries. Some marbles are made of glass, while others are made of plastic. You can find magnetic sets, wooden options, and more. Some sets can expand if you buy more pieces to go with them, so if you think it may be a big hit, opt for something you can build on later. Durability

A super crafty and creative marble run that encourage kids to think about cause and effect to see how things turn and churn and follow along the marble’s path. Unlike consumer electronics for kids, marble runs don’t have a ton of hard specs or setup requirements to compare. We started by taking a wide survey of the available models and then narrowing it down to specific options that promise durability and flexibility. Kids can get bored easily when toys only offer one play pattern, so flexibility is critical in keeping little ones interested.Why it made the cut: Made from high-quality and durable birch wood, this marble run has tons of fun features like seesaws, straightaway rails, and three spiral funnels to keep your kids engaged.

If your kids are younger you won’t want loads of pieces which may be too complex for them to put together, on the other hand, you don’t want something too simple which won’t challenge the older kids, so always opt for a marble run which is suitable for your child’s age range. Is It Translucent? Note that the plastic is BPA-free and non-toxic, but because of the price point, the material isn’t the highest quality. Hot tip: some users recommend constructing your run on a rubber mat—the dining table can make it less sturdy and tip over. What to consider when buying the best marble runs Note that if you don't have access to acrylic, you can also do this with plywood, but then it's obviously not clear. Why it made the cut: Kids 8 and up can enjoy the Speed Set, the deluxe version of the Starter Set, plus extra features and accessories like flips, loops, spirals, and cannons.Next you need to install the pullies. It's a pain to get them in there and get the shaft through, but if you mess with it you'll get it. This easy tutorial shows you two ways to make a mini and large marble run using nothing more than cardboard and tubes with colorful tape to make make it stand out. It doesn’t get any easier than this. Recycle an old cereal box and you’ve got yourself a playful toy that will keep the kids entertained for quite a while. Every year our church, The River Church Community in San Jose CA does a big Maker Camp ( http://www.rivermakercamp.org -- if you're around San Jose sign up your kids!!). I wanted a huge interactive display when kids walked in. So we made "Mt. Make" into a massive 12 foot high, 40 foot long marble run. Always opt for durable and lightweight plastic runs for kids which are impact resistant as you don’t want any sharp broken edges and steer clear of glass models. Number of Parts

Next comes the connecting of the two ends of the conveyor belt. This is the hardest step. There's a proper way to do it that's hard and requires special jig pieces. So I did a lot of experimenting and found a method using a stapler.

Marble toys will list their age restrictions or recommendations. Be sure to look for an age-appropriate toy when shopping for your little one. Marbles are, by their very nature, choking hazards, so these are probably best to avoid for very little ones. And make sure they’re stored in a safe place, like a toy organizer, when not in use. Materials