Hobbies And Interests
Marble Mazes
Marble maze games are easy enough to build that even children can do it. You can make a temporary maze out of cardboard or a more permanent maze out of wood. Begin with a base of a 2 1/2- to 3-foot square if you're using cardboard. If you're using wood, go with a smaller base you can comfortably hold while trying to maneuver your marble through the maze. Your base can be the side of a large cardboard box or a piece of plywood or other foam core board. Cut two strips out of the same kind of material you're using for your base, one-quarter inch (for wood) or half an inch (for cardboard) wide and the same length as your base. Cut two more strips, but make them an inch shorter. These four strips are the outside boundaries of your board. Place the shorter strips so you have openings in opposite corners of the board where your marble begins and ends. Glue the four strips into place. Cut several more strips the same width but of varying lengths, longer to very short. Lay out the strips on your base to create a path for your marble to travel. For more of a challenge, drill or cut a few holes in your maze. Once you're happy with your layout, glue the pieces in place and get ready to play!
Marble Runs
Marble runs vary widely in their design, which is part of the fun. Runs can be limited to multiple ramps laid out on foam core board, or they can take over the better part of a room. When building a marble run, there's no one right way to do it. Runs can be designed to go fast or slow, depending on the steepness of the ramps and the number of obstacles. Marble runs can be built for fun or as part of a challenge against other people. Kids especially enjoy the challenge of building a run that lasts longer than that of an opposing team. Cardboard tubes such as paper towel tubes or wrapping paper tubes work great as tunnels. You can also use PVC pipe (whole or cut in half) or make wooden half-pipes if you have the tools and know-how. Begin on one end of your run and build as you go. Use books, chairs, and other objects to prop up items in your run. There's no limit to the kinds of objects your marbles can be designed to go through or around. Funnels, rope and peg boards are all excellent options. The idea is to be creative and have fun.