Marble run toys are great for developing critical thinking and problem solving skills among Children. The best Marble run sets 2017 include marble race game toys that actively engage kids while providing plenty of entertainment. Children are required to assemble these marble runs and this encourages spatial awareness and imagination. If you want your child to develop logical thinking, problem solving and improve their mathematical and science skills, then a marble run game is one of the must have toys for your child.

Here are the best marble run sets 2017

Galt Toys Inc Super Marble run

Age suitability: 4 to 8 years

Galt Toys Inc Super Marble run is a 60 piece set with chutes, wheels and curves making it one of the best marble run sets 2017. Being one of the best marble run toys in the market it meets all international safety and quality standards. This set features 9 curves, 9 chutes, 6 bases, 24 tubes, paddle wheel, rotary drop, staircase, 8 marbles and a roundabout. This marble race game has well built sturdy pieces and the marble run itself can hold itself very well once an adequate base is designed. This marble run does not come with instructions and this can be quite frustrating for some people. You can spend hours constructive elaborate marble run structures with your children. There are multiple designs that can be built and creating a marble run structure can truly enhance the creativity of kids.

Why experts recommend this marble run?

• The pieces are sturdy and so you do not have to worry about the marble run toppling over or breaking apart
• Since there are different designs that can be built, this marble race game encourages creative thinking and problem solving.
• Children can learn building techniques including basics such as weight distribution along with height to width ratio.
• This game is a great STEM toy making it one of the best marble run sets 2017
• Since the chutes can be arranged in different ways children get to be in control and can make the marble’s journey short or long. This can be thrilling for kids.
• This marble game is great for improving spatial or 3 dimensional thinking. It is also great for enhancing logical as well as sequential thinking and fine motor skills.

Mindware Q BA Maze Marble Run

Age Suitability: 5 years up

While listing the best marble run sets 2017 there are some unique sets designed for the inquisitive kids who do not enjoy the traditional chute styled marble runs. The Mindware Q BA Maze Marble Run is a stunning marble race game which features 56 cubes in three different colors. These cubes have different designs including bottom exit cubes, single exit cubes and double exit cubes. These cubes can be attached to each other in an interlocking mechanism or by stacking the cubes one on top of the other. With these cubes children can build vertical or horizontal structures. These cubes can be used to make geometric or other representational sculptures and the translucent colors make this an incredible toy. The possibilities for creating marble runs are endless with these cubes.

Why experts recommend this marble run?

• This is a truly open ended toy with multiple solutions making it one of the best marble run sets 2017.
• This marble race game encourages experimentation. Children will have attach the cubes in multiple ways before they can create a structure they envision and successfully get the marble to complete its journey.
• While attaching the cubes children have to at times support the structure using their body. This contributes towards improved body coordination and balance.
• This marble race game enhances focus and patience among children as they have to try different solutions till they get the desired effect.
• This marble run toy is great for enhancing critical thinking and problem solving skills among children.
• This game is great for enhancing spatial awareness and to encourage 3 dimensional thinking.
• This game can also be great for enhancing confidence and encouraging cooperative team play.

Edushape Marbulous Marble Run

Age suitability: 4 years up

Edushape Marbulous Marble Run is one of the best marble run sets 2017 and comes with 80 sturdily built pieces. These pieces include spinning pieces, tunnels, straight pieces, bases, bells, shoots and slides. This marble race game toy also comes with 20 marbles and has an instruction booklet which includes several designs ranging from simple to complex. This marble run game is composed of high quality plastic and the pieces snap on tightly. This ensures that the marble run does not fall apart mid run.

Why experts recommend this marble run?

• This Edushape marble run is one of the best marble run sets 2017 as it allows for creation of multiple designs. The possibilities are endless and this encourages creative and independent thinking.
• The pieces are well built and are required to be connected with some pressure. This gives those tiny hands some workout and contributes towards improved hand eye coordination.
• Children learn that as the height of the marble run increases its stability may be compromised. So they have to come up with options for creating the design they desire. This encourages problem solving, logical thinking and spatial reasoning.
• This marble race game comes with instruction booklet with designs based on different skill levels. Following an instruction set and completing a design can be a great confidence booster for kids. As the skill levels are graded children can start from the easiest challenges and move over to the complex challenges.

Hape Quadrilla Vertigo Marble run

Age suitability: 4 years up

The Hape Quadrilla Vertigo Marble run is one of the best marble run sets 2017 available in the market. This marble race game is composed of high quality wood and the pieces are crafted to perfectly fit others. This marble run toy is great for enhancing imagination and problem solving. Children have to use their logical thinking to connect the different blocks using the accelerators and connectors to provide speed to the marbles. Since the marble run is composed of high quality wood it does not break apart and can provide years of great entertainment. This is the ultimate toy for any child who loves puzzles or building and constructing.

Why experts recommend this marble run?

• Children have to combine accelerators with tracks and connectors to provide adequate speed to the marbles. Careful observation is required to create the marble run in stages. This game is great for enhancing patience and logic among children.
• This marble race game is great for enhancing problem solving and logical thinking.
• Since the design possibilities are endless children can enjoy creating newer designs. This enhances spatial awareness.
• Children have to be methodical in determining the place of each piece and this enhances focus.
• With this game children can learn to follow the instructions provided in the manual.
• Children learn the basics of motion such as providing structures that deliver momentum to the marble through adequate placement of spirals and ramps.
• This game can be great for enhancing fine motor skills and teach children the importance of teamwork.

Discovery Toys Marbleworks Marble Starter

Age suitability: 5 years up

The Discovery Toys Marbleworks Marble starter marble run set is one of the best marble run sets 2017 featuring sturdily built 46 colorful pieces. This toys includes bases, chutes and tubes which can be connected in multiple ways. This is the ultimate open ended game making it one of the best marble run sets 2017. Since there is no specific design to be followed children can create variety of marble race game designs. With time you can add expansion packs and add to create bigger and more complicated marble runs.

Why experts recommend this marble race game?

• Once children have mastered the art of creating a stable base they can work in groups to create the perfect marble run. This game can be used in group setting and is perfect for team building and teaching kids cooperation.
• This game is great for enhancing spatial thinking, logical reasoning and improving visualization.
• The pieces are well built and can be snapped together easily. It can also withstand wear and tear from a group of children.
• When used in a group this marble run toy can encourage plenty of experimentation from children for altering the speed as well as movement of the marbles.
• This toy also encourages better understanding of basic building concepts such as load distribution and physics concepts such as law of gravity.

Learning Resources Tumble Trax Magnetic Marble Run

Age suitability: 5 year up

Learning Resources Tumble Trax Magnetic Marble Run is a great game featuring foam tracks that come with magnetic backs. This game comes with 14 foam pieces, 4 marbles and 10 well designed activity cards. These foam pieces can be attached to filing cabinets, fridge and other vertical steel areas. The foam pieces include bright colors and this marble race game  comes with activity cards which can be followed to create designs. Children can create their own designs and tinker around to change direction of marbles or to slow them down by rearranging the tracks. Since these can be attached to vertical steel areas you do not have to worry about pieces breaking apart. This marble race game does not have problems such as tumbling over which occurs with traditional marble runs. This game provides hands on problem solving opportunities making it one of the best marble run sets 2017.

Why experts recommend this marble run?

• This marble run game promotes plenty of experimentation as children have to position and arrange the pieces perfectly to get the right result.
• This marble run game results in plenty of discussions when used in a group setting and can be great for team building and for learning of core concepts.
• This game promotes problem solving as adjusting the parts can allow children to control the direction of the marble as well as speed.
• Each foam piece is differently designed. This game truly enhances critical thinking and visualization as children have to really take into consideration the different shapes of each piece to create the perfect marble run.
• Since the pieces can be attached to steel cabinets or refrigerator it does not take up a large amount of floor space as is the case with traditional marble race games.

Haba Ball track marble building set

Age suitability: 6 years up

The Haba ball track marble building set is made entirely of wood and is one of the best marble run sets 2017. This set features hardwood blocks that come with holes and grooves. The blocks can be arranged and connected in variety of ways. The set comes with a guide book which can be used for reference. Children can also use the guide book and incorporate variety of household items including books, stools and cups into the marble run. Since this marble race game is made of hardwood blocks it gives the marble run enough weight. The marble track does not topple over like some of the plastic marble runs.

Why experts recommend this marble race game?

• Children have to double check each track element while they are building the track. Any slight variation in the tracks can result in problems. The game is great for building focus and patience among children.
• Children learn the basics of structural stability while constructing the marble run. This game is great for teaching problem solving skills as children have to arrange the blocks in a way that the structure remains stable even after multiple marble runs.
• This marble race game is great for enhancing creative and critical thinking among children. Incorporating household elements and other blocks in the marble run enhances creativity among children.
• Being an open ended toy younger children can use the blocks to build parking garages and castles while older ones can build multiple types of marble tracks.
• This toy is great for motor skill development and improved hand eye coordination.

Hubelino Marble Run

Age suitability: 3 years up

Hubelino marble run is a 50 piece starter marble race set composed of high quality plastic pieces that are completely compatible with Duplo bricks. The track segments include 2×2 turns, left and right u turn slides and junctions along with marbles. The pieces can be combined in multiple ways to create a large number of configurations. Since these are compatible with Duplo bricks children can combine Duplo elements in this marble race game to create intricate structures. This is great for imaginative building making it one of the best marble run sets 2017

Why experts recommend this marble race game?

• Hubelino marble race game is compatible with duplo bricks. Children can create different types of structures and incorporate sliding staircases and marble tracks within the structures. This is great for enhancing creativity and imagination among children.
• This marble run is great for enhancing fine motor skills as the pieces can be interlocked with each other giving tiny hands some much needed workout.
• The set includes pieces that provide acceleration or pieces used to change direction of the marbles. This can be great for learning basics of physics and to make changes through observation and trial and error.
• Since the hubelino marble race pieces are compatible with duplo pieces this allows for participation from younger children. This is the perfect toy for families with multiple children.

Tedco blocks marble set

Age suitability: 5 years up

The Tedco blocks marble set is one of the best marble run sets 2017 featuring sturdy hardwood block pieces. This marble race game includes 21 blocks and also comes with 8 marbles. Since this marble block set is composed of high quality wood it gives the marble track set stability.

Why experts recommend this marble run game?

• The Tedco blocks marble set teaches children about structural stability and load distribution. Children have to build marble tracks by stacking and arranging pieces. These pieces cannot be interlocked like traditional plastic pieces and this requires greater coordination.
• This marble race game is great for enhancing focus and patience among children.
• This game requires considerable coordination and teamwork and constructing a good marble run can give children a sense of achievement.

Mindware Keva Contraptions

Age suitability: 7 years up

The Mindware Keva Contraptions Set is a great marble race game for older children. The Mindware Keva Contraption set features 50 planks composed of high quality pine wood. With this set children can create fabulous ball track structures by simply stacking the planks in different ways. This set comes with a booklet that provides instructions for building variety of structures. This game does not have interlocking pieces and instead depends on precise stacking of planks. This requires considerable coordination and patience.

Why experts recommend this game?

• Unlike other marble runs this ball track game requires precise arrangement of planks. This can be challenging and great for building creativity and imagination among children.
• This game enhances problem solving skills as children have to come up with out of box ideas to successfully create the structures they want.
• This game is also great for enhancing visualization and spatial awareness. This is an open ended toy and so incredibly engaging and great for motor skills development.
• Since arranging planks requires time and precision this game is great for building patience.
• This toy is great for team work and can result in interesting discussions among parents and children about physics and structural engineering principles.
• This marble race game is perfect for cooperative playing between parents and children.

Why should you buy a marble race game for your child?

Marble race game and marble track toys are STEM toys which can be incredibly efficient in generating interest in children towards technology, science and mathematics. The best marble run sets 2017 are not only entertaining but they are incredible tools for providing hands on learning.

Benefits of marble runs

Improved STEM skills

With marble run toys children explore the very basics of construction, physics and design issues. They intimately explore engineering problems and put engineering and design processes into action. While building marble race game they have to create a prototype, test it for success and make changes to achieve the desired outcome. The trial and error method allows them to make changes in their design to achieve the desired result. They are able to identify problems or flaws in their design and determine the best solution to resolve the problem. All this contributes towards improved science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills.

Improved motor skills and hand eye coordination

While building marble runs the base of the marble run has to be made stable enough to bear the weight of the structure. This requires children to use their balance and body weight to support the structure as they build it. This in turn contributes to improved motor skills and hand eye coordination.

Improved spatial skills

Marble runs are three dimensional structures and building them requires children to understand the effect of each block on the total structure. This enhances spatial visualization and also allows children to understand the basics of building and load bearing.

Enhanced creativity and divergent thinking

While building marble race game children have to come up with their own solutions to get the marble to move in the direction they desire. This enhances creativity as well as divergent thinking.

Improved team work and cooperative play

While building a marble race game in a group children learn collaborative play. While working together to create a working product they learn the importance of cooperation, sharing and negotiation.

Improved communication

Marble race game toys are directly responsible for improved communication. Children learn new words while describing or talking about parts they need to build the marble run. This helps in improved communication. Building a marble maze game can contribute towards improved confidence and give children a sense of achievement.

Ability to follow instructions

As children become older they are expected to adhere to instructions and take exams. While building marble race game toys children learn to follow instructions as marble sets often come with marble run images and instructions on how to build them. Some of the marble runs can be quite complex with intricate set of instructions. As children learn to build marble runs by following the instructions this requires great amount of concentration. This contributes towards improved focus as well as patience.

Learning new skills

As children get older they learn to independently build new and more complex marble runs. This requires a great deal of planning. Discussing and planning newer designs of marble runs, drawing the designs and actually building them allows children to learn new skills such as planning, coordination, visualization, etc.

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