Engineering for Kids – Build a marble run out of craft sticks!

Last year, we showed you three marble projects to build with craft sticks and a cardboard box (maze, shoebox marble run, and a plink-o type thing – remember that on “The Price is Right?”). Here’s another simple way to build a longer and yet sturdy marble run with craft sticks.

Craft Stick Marble Run

For this project, you will need:

  • Jumbo craft sticks
  • Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
  • Cardboard – We used a trip-fold display board that we happened to have on hand, but any large piece of cardboard will work.

I built several of these track pieces with the glue gun:

Craft Stick Marble Run

Then I let Owen (age 6) glue them to the cardboard in the arrangement he wanted. I did help him test out the pieces in their positions before he glued them down. Older kids would be able to be more independent with this.

Craft Stick Marble Run

So much fun! We also added a plastic cup with the bottom cut off. We just glued it directly to the cardboard.

Craft Stick Marble Run

It would be fun to make a really long marble run on the side of a refrigerator box!

Want to see it in action?

This is the fourth post in our Craft Closet Boredom Busters Series. Be sure to stop by the rest of the posts from other awesome bloggers!

2 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Linda Jun 26, 2015

    Would this work if one glued magnet dots or strips to the craft sticks & used a magnetic white board? Or would the marbles be too heavy & move the sticks? I love this idea & would like to use it in my classroom where each child could create their own pathways. Thanks!!

    Reply
    1. Kortney Jun 30, 2015

      Just a thought. I think Hungry, Hungry Hippo marbles are pretty light weight. I am going to try the same thing with magnets so I hope it works. The kids will have so much fun designing their own marble maze.

      Reply
    2. Sarah Jul 1, 2015

      We actually made a magnetic version too! I'll post the link for that. You will definitely need strong magnets - we did have some sliding pieces. We used a combination of suction cups and magnets, and the suction cups hold better. But the magnets are easier for kids to move. We used suction cup pieces at the bottom of each "section" and then the magnet ones did not slide very much. You can see that project here: https://frugalfun4boys.com/changeable-magnetic-marble-run/

      Reply
  2. Sheila Jul 8, 2015

    I just tried this and used adhesive Velcro on the backs of the Popsicle tracks. Then I ran lines of the other side of the adhesive Velcro to the poster board. That way the kids can re-stick the Popsicle tracks and adjust to their liking.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Jul 14, 2015

      Oh, that's a SMART idea! Velcro would be perfect!

      Reply

Post a Comment