Toilet Paper Roll Marble Run

How to Build a Toilet Paper Roll Marble Run

Start saving those toilet paper rolls because this DIY marble run is SOOO much fun!

This is a fantastic STEM challenge, and it works well as a small group project. Or, make this marble run at home on a rainy day!

Toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls are perfect for marble runs because they’re super easy to get and just the right shape for marbles to roll down them. However, assembling a marble run with toilet paper rolls can be a little tricky. I’m super excited to show you some EASY techniques that kids can use to build a really cool marble track!

I am recommending this project for ages 8 and up. Younger kids will love playing with this marble run, but they’ll need help building it.

This would be a great engineering challenge for middle schoolers (ages 11 – 13) to do independently.

We chose to build our marble run inside a large but fairly shallow cardboard box. It was perfect! We’ve built many marble runs over the years, and I am very happy with how sturdy this marble run is and how fun it is to play with.

Supplies Needed for a Toilet Paper Roll Marble Run:

Toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Tape – we used duct tape in fun colors
A cardboard box for a base
Extra cardboard
Paper and/or plastic cups

We use Costco’s brand of toilet paper (Kirkland) and the cardboard tubes are a bit more heavy-duty than other brands and perfect for crafting! And, the price is great.

If you use a low-temp hot glue gun, kids can operate it on their own. I occasionally get glue directly on my fingers and it feels hot, but doesn’t burn at all.

We started by cutting the flaps off our cardboard box.

Then we cut some strips of cardboard to make a place to collect the marbles at the bottom of the run. I used hot glue to attach the strips to the box.

Toilet Paper Roll Marble Run Building Tips:

Start constructing your run at the bottom. Kids often think about starting at the top because that’s where you’ll release the marble, but it generally works better to start and the bottom and build up.

Cut toilet paper rolls in half lengthwise to make track pieces.

Use tape to connect two track pieces to make a longer track. Or, connect three toilet paper rolls! Or one and a half. You can make track sections in whatever length you need.

Build turns for your marble track. Here’s an easy way to do it! This technique is really a game changer for creating a fun marble run.

Cut the end off a toilet paper roll so that you have a ring that is about 3/4″ to 1″ thick. Then cut the ring into one big piece (about 3/4 of the ring) and one small piece (about 1/4 of the ring).

Cut out a square of cardboard. Glue it to the rest of the toilet paper roll. Then glue on your curved cardboard ring pieces as shown. This makes a great 90 degree turn!

TIP: Each turn can be the same design, but your supporting towers will need to be different heights to make the slope of the track.

You don’t not need much slope for your marble to roll quite fast! Steep slopes will cause the marbles to get out of control. A gentle slope is all you need, and if you design your marble run with gradual slopes, it’s much easier to make a LONGER marble run. Your towers won’t need to be as high!

Glue your toilet paper roll track sections to the towers that are supporting them.

Get creative with the supports for your track. We used plastic cups, little paper cups, and pieces of cardboard.

Test each section of track, and make sure that your turns work before gluing things down. It’s a bummer if you glue it together and then discover that your marble gets stuck somewhere or goes too fast and flies off the track. Make your adjustments BEFORE you glue.