This DIY marble run craft was easy to make and lots of fun for my son to play with!
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To make this marble run I used the following:
- Shoe box lid
- Assorted items from the recycling bin: bottle caps, empty tape roll, corks
- Large craft sticks
- Straws
- Hot glue gun
Then to cover the base I used:
Using the hot glue gun I attached the various items to the inside of the shoe box lid to make a maze. I found that straws didn’t make a high enough wall on their own, so I glued three together lengthwise then cut them into short strips.
I positioned a laminating pouch over the base and marked where a hole should be placed at the start and finish of the maze, to get the ball in and out. Then I cut out a square hole with a craft knife (a square hole was easier to make neatly as opposed to a round one!). Then I ran the laminating pouch through the laminator to make it sturdier and clear. If you don’t have a laminator then you could use anything else that is sturdy and clear – plastic sleeves, or clear plastic from a food container would work fine.
To attach the cover I tried hot glue but <gasp!> it didn’t stick! So I used duct tape which was actually better as it removed any sharp edges from the cover.
This DIY marble run works well as a tilt puzzle with any small ball or marble. However, we had the best fun with it when we used a magnetic wand and magnetic ball. The wand can either be passed underneath the base (so the ball moves by “magic” or by sliding the wand across the top.
See a video of the marble run in action!
