Simple Pegboard Marble Track

Here’s an easy way to build a marble run – with pegboard, pipe insulation, and zip ties!

My older boys really enjoyed the engineering challenge of our magnetic marble run, but this marble run was a better speed for our three year old (who is more likely to bump the pieces on the magnetic run, etc.). Just be sure that any children using marbles can be trusted not to put them in their mouths.

We put a plastic container at the bottom to catch the marbles. Half of an empty water bottle made a perfect addition to the marble run. The marbles spin around in the bottle before dropping through the opening!

To make this marble run, you will need:

• Foam pipe insulation – ours measures 1 inch (inside diameter) and 2 inches (outside diameter). For younger kids, use a larger size of insulation and a larger ball instead of a marble. Pool noodles would also work for this.
• Zip ties
• Pegboard
• Empty water bottle
• Rubber bands
• Twist ties
• Scissors

I used scissors to cut the foam insulation to the right lengths and also to trim off the top so that you can see the marble rolling down.

Zip ties did not work to attach the water bottle to the pegboard, so I used long rubber bands. I tied the ends of the rubber bands together with twist ties, as seen below:

More Fun Marble Projects:

• Marble Runs with Craft Sticks and Cardboard Boxes – This marble project is my favorite! So many ways to build it, kids can build on their own, and the craft sticks make a cool sound.

• LEGO Marble Run – Another favorite…

• Changeable Magnetic Marble Run – Easy to build components that can be rearranged different ways. Perfect for tinkering!

• Build a Marble Run with Straws and a Cardboard Box – Super simple boredom buster!