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How to Construct a Marble Run

Constructing a marble run, whether simple or elaborate, could occupy a child for the better part of a rainy weekend. The problem-solving challenges of the activity will deliver a valuable learning experience. Gravity will provide the power behind the marble's trip through the tunnels and mazes of the marble run. Imagination will provide the specific construction and design elements of the completed structure. Preschoolers and older children alike will enjoy building a creative marble run.

Things You'll Need

Mat board
Mat knife
Assorted small gift boxes
Poster board
Pencil
Mailing tubes
Scissors
Masking tape
Poster paint
Foam paintbrush
Marble

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a piece of mat board to measure 5 feet square.
- 2
  Assemble five towers of varying height with the gift boxes. Tape the boxes securely to each other and to the mat board at each corner area and in the center of the board.
- 3
  Cut one piece of mat board to measure 1 foot square. Draw a marble maze on the board. Cut poster board in long strips 1 inch wide. Tape the poster board to the matte board to make the marble maze.
- 4
  Connect the marble maze to one of the middle-sized towers with tape.
- 5
  Cut the mailing tubes in half. Tape the tubes to the tops of the towers, connecting the tubes at the necessary points and connecting to the marble maze. Keep the tubes traveling slightly downward.
- 6
  Paint the marble run one consolidating color or several different colors with the poster paint. Let the paint dry, add the marble and watch it run.

Construction Toys