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This LEGO© marble run is such an easy project to try with children that allows them to be creative while learning technical skills. Since this marble run was completed using only basic LEGO©, anyone can make their own. Check out how we made this LEGO© marble run below and try to make your own.
You Will Need
How to Setup LEGO© Baseplate
The LEGO© baseplates we used were the large 15”x15” ones. They are a little more challenging to use since their large size makes them bend if they are not placed on a hard surface. We taped two baseplates to a board to keep them from bending. If you don’t have a spare board, you can use a wall.
If you want to make your project longer, you can use more than two baseplates.
Creating a Border
We placed basic LEGO© bricks all around the outside of our track to create a border. The border helps keep the marble on the marble run and makes it easier for a child to visualize the space they have to build the track.
The border is optional, but without it, you would need to add LEGO© bricks to two places. At the end of each ramp, you would need to place a vertical brick to prevent the marble from rolling off the board. Also, to keep everything lined up correctly, use LEGO© bricks on the edges to connect the 2 baseplates.
Creating the Marble Run Ramp
Once your baseplates and border are setup you are ready to begin the fun part, making the marble run ramp. Creating the ramp takes some trial and error and is the perfect spot to let your child experiment on their own. By making the ramp at different angles they can find one that keeps the marble in motion. Have them start at the top of the LEGO© baseplate and work their way down. This makes it easier to test the effectiveness of the slope as they work.
Our goal was to find the smallest slope needed to keep the marble in motion. It took us several tries before we and then we repeated it three more times.
We tried using both plastic and glass marbles. We found the glass marbles more challenging to use because they were heavier, and the weight slowed them down against the LEGO© baseplate pegs. The lighter plastic marbles kept their momentum much better, and we used them for the project. If you don’t have your own marbles experiment with what you do have around the house. Pom-pom craft balls or round beads would work.
Now the LEGO© marble run is done and it’s time to play.
This LEGO© marble run can be seen in action in the video below. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel Marble Run Expert to watch many more of our marble run builds.
