Build a marble track with pool noodles and Duple LEGO® bricks! This is the perfect engineering challenge for a rainy day, or use it with a group of kids because it’s fun for a wide range of ages. Duplo bricks create a very sturdy support structure for the marble run, which makes this project exciting and frustration-free.

STEM Building Challenge for Kids: Engineer a LEGO and Pool Noodle Marble Run!

Pool noodles are the perfect material for a marble run! If you don’t have pool noodles, use foam pipe insulation from the hardware store. We actually had some of both on hand. The black sections are pipe insulation, which is pretty affordable. Check Dollar Tree for a great price on pool noodles during the spring and summer months.

STEM Building Challenge for Kids: Create a LEGO Duplo Marble Run!

Cut your pool noodles or pipe insulation in half using scissors or a serrated kitchen knife. The knife is faster and easier, but the scissors make cleaner edges. Then get out your Duplo bricks, and you’re ready to go!

We started with a simple design. Aidan built towers with little walls to hold the pool noodle sections.

STEM Building Challenge for Kids: Create a LEGO Duplo and Pool Noodle Marble Run

It takes a little tinkering to ensure that the pieces of pool noodle have the right amount of slope and that the angles are built just right.

After setting up this basic design, Aidan and Owen worked together to make one with two lanes.

Build a Duplo LEGO Marble Run

Lots of fun!

Build a Duplo LEGO Marble Run

Regular LEGO® bricks would definitely work for this as well. We chose Duplos because it was so much faster to build something of the size that we wanted. Maybe regular LEGO® bricks with paper towel rolls? That could be a fun building challenge!

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STEM Building Challenge for Kids: Engineer a LEGO Duplo and Pool Noodle Marble Run!

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  1. Rod Jan 26, 2016

    Fabulous to see a resource that doesn't cost too much (excluding duplo)

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