Looking for a rainy day activity that will keep the kids busy for an afternoon? This marble run craft is a brilliant one to have up your sleeve. It uses things you’ve probably already got lying around the house, and there’s a video below showing exactly how it comes together.
How to Make a Marble Run Out of Toilet Paper Rolls
You will need:
- 3 paper towel rolls
- 3–4 toilet paper rolls
- Wrapping paper and tape (or paint)
- Scissors
Gather your rolls together first — the paper towel rolls give you the longer, sturdier sections, while the toilet paper rolls work well for shorter connecting pieces. Decorating them with wrapping paper or a coat of paint before you start assembling makes for a much more colourful (and durable) finished run.
Watch How It’s Done
The clip below walks through the whole process step by step, from cutting the rolls to fitting them together into a working run. It’s well worth watching the full video before you start cutting, so you know roughly how the pieces will fit together.
Watch the video: http://youtu.be/l-VchjKO4aU
Once you’ve got the hang of the basic shape, feel free to experiment — add more rolls, change the angles, or build it taller for a longer, faster run. Half the fun is testing it out with the kids and tweaking it until the marble makes it all the way to the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials do I need to make a marble run?
Just a few paper towel rolls, some toilet paper rolls, scissors, and either wrapping paper and tape or paint to decorate them. It’s a great craft for using up recycling.
Is this activity suitable for younger children?
It works well as a shared activity — an adult handling the cutting, with children helping to decorate, assemble and test the run. It’s a nice one to do together rather than leave a young child to manage alone.
Where can I see the full instructions?
The video above shows the complete process from start to finish, so it’s the easiest way to follow along step by step.
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For more craft inspiration, take a look at 50 Brilliant Art & Craft Ideas for Kids — a handy list of mess-worthy activities to try on the next rainy day.
Save This for Your Next Rainy Day
Don’t have time to make it today? Bookmark this page or save it to your craft ideas board so it’s ready to go next time you need a quick, screen-free activity.
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