Mission: Construct a marble run with your child and use it as an opportunity to teach them about science and technology.
Real mission: Construct a marble run with (or without) your child. Beat the other kids. Beat the other kids’ parents. Beat everyone.
Only kidding… (not really). This year we went full out and created an out-of-this-world marble run with ‘flying comet’ and ‘rocket launch’ effects. Watch the video above (with the sound on) for a full demo.
The instructions above are intended as a guide and inspiration – they don’t cover every step of the build, this one is a little too complex for that! Anyway, I hope you still find them helpful.
Includes:
1) Collectable instructions – includes additional photographs
485 downloads so far, thanks everyone!
Wow! I really liked this experiment…good job to you and Dylan
I really want to try it out myself too, and when I downloaded the instructions files one of them wasn’t working and the one that worked showed the same picture as on your site, and I’m still kind of confused about the rocket launcher. Could you maybe explain and give more pictures? Thanks so much 
Hi Florence, You are right, these aren’t the most thorough of instructions – it I get a chance I’ll try and add more over the coming weeks. Thanks for the comment. Scott
What a great marble run. I would never have come up with anything like that before!!!Amazing:)
Dude this page is awesome! I absolutely love it! I’m trying to get kids to activate their imagination at the afterschool program I work at and this is just inspiring! thanks =)
Good luck with your after school program – glad my projects help. Thanks Scott
wow wow wow!! this is so cool!! i can’t wait to make one – for my grandson (*me) to play with!! He (*i) will love it!!!
Thank you so much for being so helpful!
I love the site especially its get up! Great work! Keep it up!
Wow, just got here via the Craftzine blog who linked to your dart targets and couldn’t resist looking at the things you’ve done “to beat other dads”. The marble run is fantastic and the tower is inspiring – we’ll be trying it this lunchtime – if the children don’t eat the building materials – No we won’t, we’ve only got wiggly spaghetti so I don’t think it’ll work, damn.
Wow, just got here via the Craftzine blog who linked to your dart targets and couldn’t resist looking at the things you’ve done “to beat other dads”. The marble run is fantastic and the tower is inspiring – we’ll be trying it this lunchtime – if the children don’t eat the building materials – No we won’t, we’ve only got wiggly spaghetti so I don’t think it’ll work, damn.
I suddenly realize we are being vastly overcharged at our preschool, as we have none of this. I would be crap at it regardless, but I would feel like a better parent if I’d chosen a school where it was at least an option.
Well done–I damn near cried twice, I liked it so well.
Thanks for the comment Deborah. Yes, we were lucky with the boys’ school – it was small, and they had very engaged and attentive teachers. By the way, the science projects weren’t always this tricky – the year before we built a spaghetti and marshmallow tower, that was a bit easier but just as fun:)
I suddenly realize we are being vastly overcharged at our preschool, as we have none of this. I would be crap at it regardless, but I would feel like a better parent if I’d chosen a school where it was at least an option.
Well done–I damn near cried twice, I liked it so well.
Thanks for the comment Deborah. Yes, we were lucky with the boys’ school – it was small, and they had very engaged and attentive teachers. By the way, the science projects weren’t always this tricky – the year before we built a spaghetti and marshmallow tower, that was a bit easier but just as fun:)
Do you always win, does anyone else stand a chance?!! I like the spagetti tower also – can you eat it afterwards? I remember the tales of the Bubble machine from Colin – have you made one of these for your sons?
Hi Kathy, No we didn’t even win this year – but Dylan did get a certificate for the ‘most ingenious’ marble run! Yes, I’ve got an old photo of a ‘Bubble machine’ at my office, I was thinking of scanning it, and posting it for old times sake! Nice to hear from you, I’ll drop you a mail:) Scott
Do you always win, does anyone else stand a chance?!! I like the spagetti tower also – can you eat it afterwards? I remember the tales of the Bubble machine from Colin – have you made one of these for your sons?
Hi Kathy, No we didn’t even win this year – but Dylan did get a certificate for the ‘most ingenious’ marble run! Yes, I’ve got an old photo of a ‘Bubble machine’ at my office, I was thinking of scanning it, and posting it for old times sake! Nice to hear from you, I’ll drop you a mail:) Scott
Bravo!! you guys are amazing!!! Well done Scott and Dylan
Thanks Janice – I’ll tell Dylan you liked it!
Bravo!! you guys are amazing!!! Well done Scott and Dylan
Thanks Janice – I’ll tell Dylan you liked it!
Amazing!! Well done, Dylan and Scott!!
Thanks Anrea, it was really fun, and Dylan learned loads!
Amazing!! Well done, Dylan and Scott!!
Thanks Anrea, it was really fun, and Dylan learned loads!