Gifts2U Marble Run Set for Kids 4+ - 122 PCS Race Track Game With 90 Translucent Pieces + 32 Glass Marbles, STEM Maze Building Blocks

The media could not be loaded. I purchased this Marble Run set for my nephew but wanted to see how it worked and also determine if it was appropriate for his age (4+). Upon opening the multiple plastic bags, I dumped the parts into a pile. There are 4 different colored marbles, but I am guessing they were not specific on which colors you receive because I have 14 red, 9 green, 5 yellow, and 4 blue (32 marbles total). There 122 plastic pieces that have a more specific color scheme: there are 5 different colors, but they not always assigned to the same types of parts. The colors are red, yellow, green, blue, and purple (as a side note, purple does not have it’s own included marble color). All the colors have vertical cylinder pieces that serve as the staple pieces that provide stability to the different types of parts. There are 9 green, blue, and purple straight slide pieces which is the biggest group of types of pieces. There are blue and yellow “funnel” pieces that make the marble swirl around like the coin wishing-wells make the coins swirl around at amusement parks and zoos. I am not sure why the funnel pieces have 3 handle tips at the edges, but maybe they added it just in case you wish to hang it on a string, or hang something from it, I don’t know. Anyway, moving on; there are yellow and red mill wheel parts with yellow and purple (for whatever reason) paddle wheels. These parts tend to be the most problematic parts in the set; sometimes the marbles get jammed against the tip of a paddle and stay in place. There are thick little pegs that fit into the yellow and blue “feet” pieces to help hold it together. The purple and longer “stairs” pieces do not fit nicely with the other parts but is compatible if used properly. The peg in the middle of the stair pieces forces the marbles to one side of the other, sometimes causing a jam if multiple marbles are stampeding at the same time into a bottleneck at that particular area. There is only one rogue blue curvature piece that almost seems like it was mistakenly added to the set. I think they would have benefitted by adding more of that type of piece, but whatever. There are 3 red beginning cups, 2 ending bases, and 2 collection tray pieces. I notice now that green is assigned to a very boring pieces, as it is the only color not to have a unique piece with a different function. After spending some time planning out the architecture of my tower, I was able to use every piece (watch my video) to keep the marble going as long as possible with the parts given. The pieces fit together fairly easily with a friction-fit, but fairly easily came apart at times and was not always consistent in it’s level of friction depending on the individual part’s fit. Both the loose and tight-fitting pieces can provide some frustration (especially when trying to counterbalance a tower). Testing the rigidity of this product, I find that it flexes when stressed, so I believe it is not likely to ever shatter. It might break but only if I smashed it or threw it (but I won’t try that). I can ascertain that it will hurt you if stepped on or if you fell on it, especially the base half-circle edges. Properly putting these away when not in use comes highly recommended. In conclusion, the Marble Run set can be entertaining and intellectually stimulating as a thinker/tinker kind of toy. It might not be perfect for all children, but I think it is perfect for my nephew. I encourage others to purchase products that help their kids develop problem-solving skills and cultivate creativity in designing their own works of art (like this one). “Marbulous,” lol.

Fun. Sturdy. Looks good. Big. Great value.

I initially got a smaller set and it was not enough to do anything interesting. This set is great because you can do more with it and the instructions give you guides to build a 1-6 of simpler to complicated runs building up the one you already made. This has helped to get us started and simplified it a bit for my 5 year old. I would say at that age a parent still needs to help but this is a fun building kit that my child looks forward to doing!

My son really enjoys this. My husband and I usually do the building but it has so many pieces and colors that it is fun even for us. There is a booklet that shows different options to build. It can fall apart fairly easily if your child is too rough. But all in all a good activity for the price.

My 5 yr old grandson is thrilled with this……the bigger kids love it too

Super awesome! Pieces are good and so many options for building. My 8 year old loved it!

This has been such a fun gift for me and my 3/5 year olds to play with. Making massive structures is the best and they will play with it for hours. The bad part is the sturdiness. It is super finicky. Even adults have a hard time not knocking it over. I wish it had snap connectors or a screw type connection to keep it from falling over easily. Great gift for kids that are playing with adults. Horrible for kids play solo unless they are much older.

A mi hijo le encanta. Bien construido, tal ves el precio se me hizo elevado pero cumplió con mis expectativas a mi hijo le encanto.