how to make a simple lego marble run
Look closely, you will see the design process in motion. With Waffle Blocks, kids can create 3D creations. Among the other Lego-compatible brands, Kre-o’s quality is almost identical to that of Lego’s. We have a PASSION for SLIME, and are dedicated to helping you make the best slime ever. Marble Maze STEM Challenge. Although a lot of Lego knockoffs are good quality, some can be disappointing. Create awesome 3D configurations with the K’Nex Imagine motorized building set. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. Because they didn’t give up. Includes square pillars, axles, interlocking bases, connectors, and crank handles. Each of these easy STEM activities will provide you with a materials list or you can read about it under the descriptions below. Perhaps you might be wondering, “If Lego has the best quality in the market, why do I need to bother for Lego alternatives for kids?” Two answers: affordability and options. For just below $20, you get 80 award-winning blocks you and your child can use to build and create trees, animals, vehicles, and robots. You will see experimenting and critical thinking in action, and you will notice problem-solving at its finest. When kids play, they learn about the world around them! Stave off the dreaded “I’m bored” syndrome that hits partway into any vacation or downtime with a few of the BEST simple STEM activities that cost almost next to nothing. The kit comes with high-quality nuts, bolts, and wheels to help kids feel like they’re actually assembling a car. So let’s get started with some of the best, simplest, and most fun STEM activities that will have your kids chanting your name and eagerly waiting for the next awesome idea. For an affordable price, you’ll get a huge pack of Lego-compatible pieces. Computer coding with LEGO® is a great introduction to the world of coding using a favorite building toy. Banbao is a budget-friendly Lego alternative that is also Lego-compatible. CHECK OUT: DESIGN A HOUSE (with printables). However, these blocks come with expensive tags; building your collection can cost a fortune. The cardboard tubes were easy to stick to the wall, and we had fun designing our cardboard tube marble run. Cobi features designs that give a nod to historical icons like the Titanic, war tanks, fighter planes, and battleships. If you’re looking for an affordable way to build your child’s Lego collection, Banbao is the answer. This is great fun and less messy than the egg version! Indulge them to an hour of building with the Meccano Erector Model Building Kit. BUILDING A MARBLE RUN. Now itâs time to make your cardboard tube marble run! First, if you don’t know a whole lot about STEM, we have a few great STEM resources to start with to get your feet wet. Look around the house for items that could work. Building toys encourage kids’ creativity in a simpler way. Unlike regular construction blocks, Bristle Blocks feature soft, interlocking bristles that connect together at whatever angle – no more frustrated play! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The kids will come back to this one over and over again. Make a marble run on a smaller scale â Shoebox Marble Run. The good news is there are multiple budget Lego alternatives that can educate and entertain just as good as Legos can. Oh, the fun you can have with Sir Isaac Newton, a balloon, a straw, and some string. You can build it on the wall with cardboard tubes and tape, with LEGO bricks on a baseplate, or in a box top with tape, craft sticks, or straws. You get an awesome STEM picture book called The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale written by Steve Guarnaccia. Some of our greatest inventors like Darwin, Newton, Einstein, and Edison failed and failed time again only to make history later on. Letâs explore the way to make kaleidoscope in this section. Click on any of the images or menu options! A set that does not have enough pieces of blocks might bore your child. $8.44 $12.99 (35% off) Free Shipping. Turn a Large Cardboard Box into an EPIC Marble Run â This is seriously awesome. Blocks can do wonders for your child’s fine motor, problem-solving, and creativity skills. The finished product? Is your young toddler showing interest in building and stacking blocks? Light Painting. Mega Blocks is one of the best budget Lego alternatives for kids ages 1 to 4 years old. Yes, you can teach young kids about computer coding, especially if they are highly interested in computers and how they work. Each Sluban set comes with different designs. Shhh, don’t tell them! Looking for affordable building blocks? ⦠These LEGO-like toys make great presents for Christmas, birthdays, or other special ocassions. That will keep them busy. Give a child a bucket of Legos, and they’ll spend hours tinkering with and building the colorful blocks. Kre-o is the creator of Cityville – a set that allows young builders to recreate their little town of blocks. Its size makes it easy for little hands to build, even older kids will have fun with this set! You can build it on the wall with cardboard tubes and tape, with LEGO bricks on a baseplate, or in a box top with tape, craft sticks, or straws. The set includes 6 solid bases that will help ensure your kidsâ creations will have sturdy support. Erector comes wither other car models and construction sets as well, including motorcycle, off road vehicle, and construction crane. Furniture & Decor. Shipping is included. The kits come in multiple themes – you can even find Pokemon-themed sets. Kids as young as 7 can help assemble this super cool rocket ship equipped with lights and sounds. Building a marble run is full of design possibilities and really encourages those engineering skills. Have each kid design a mechanism that will protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped. The LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection offers building kit models suitable for display in the home and office, and has been developed for all with an interest in travel, architectural culture, history and design. When you avail of the Marble Genius Marble Run starter set, youâll get 80 see-through marble run pieces. The brand features real-life and fictional sets. The Waffle Blocks works for all ages! The STEM supplies are pretty simple and you probably have most of it floating around the house. This classic building block set from Fisher-price is more of a Duplo alternative. Time to storm the castle with a homemade catapult that explores many parts of STEM and that is entirely playful. Encourage STEM learning in your kids with the Gears! Explore light, ⦠Each set includes wheels, balls, ball connectors, and wheel connectors, which kids can use to create different structures, vehicles, and animal shapes. It might look like your kids are just playing, but they are doing oh so much more. Let your kids build, and build with PlayPlatoon’s 1100-block set. The set also comes with eight wheels to add motions to the figures made by kids. So you ask, what does costing next to nothing look like for a simple STEM activity? They will love Mega Bloks First Builders! Create a LEGO marble maze or a marble run. Mega Construx carries a 790-piece tub – each piece compatible with regular Legos! I highly encourage you to get in on the fun if you can but hold back on providing the answers when things don’t go as expected. You can provide encouragement when things aren’t working well and offer congratulations for a successful challenge completed. Required fields are marked *. If your older kids are starting to exhibit interest in intricate, complicated block creations, you can introduce them to Cobi blocks. Of course, we had to come up with an easy STEM project to go along with it and a free printable pack too! Again, youâll be amazed what you can create. Are your kids’ big fans of racing? Discover more fun and easy science & STEM activities right here. Read more on how STEM provides real-world skills! Create musical instruments, famous landmarks, and iconic events with Nanoblock! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It pays to check reviews before going for a set. We would give full credit of course! If you’re choosing a set of blocks for your child, consider the number of pieces. Marble Placemats- Set of 6. Attach the battery-powered motor to your 3D creations to make them come to life! 50 Pcs Reusable Drink Pouches. We have a bunch of easy STEM challenges to get the juices flowing, keep the kids thinking, and best of all learning. Unlike Lego creations, a completed Nanoblock set won’t take as much space in your home. The blocks also lock in different angles so kids can stack blocks in multiple directions. Have them do some investigative research and find a simple machine they can build from materials on hand. Each set is themed – kids who love space, cute houses, and helicopters will find these sets in Banbao! This can be a simple ⦠After Coupon Code: PSH58656 Verified. Your email address will not be published. Frustration and failure go hand in hand with success and perseverance. Betty Boiron is a busy homemaker, former engineer and teacher, and homeschooling mom of two. Mega Construx isn’t just sought after for its price. CARDBOARD TUBE MARBLE RUN. CHECK OUT: LEGO MARBLE RUN. Zoob is for all ages – older kids can make intricate models, while little ones can create simpler figures. If you’re just after building the number of Lego pieces for your kids, consider buying a cheaper set of blocks. What you get â Gravity Maze is a combination logic game, marble run, and STEM toy that's one of the best gifts you can buy for boys and girls age 8 and up It contains 60 challenges from beginner to expert, a game grid, 9 towers, 1 target piece, and 3 marbles You’ll be spending more if you buy a brand that does not capture your child’s interest and creativity. Details Amazon has this Marble placemats- set of 6 on sale for $8.44 after promo code. But blocks shouldn’t always mean Lego. Sluban is Lego with a more affordable price tag. Paper Chain Challenge. Learn more about me here. Here are the best LEGO alternatives that are more affordable and offer more options for building for you LEGO lovers! Legos can be frustrating, especially to young builders. All you need is a box of toothpicks and a bag of mini marshmallows, gumdrops, or styrofoam peanuts. Take A Sneak Peak At The Movies Coming Out This Week (8/12) Brock OâHurn: way more than just eye candy and totally worth seeing in âThe Resortâ Kids who love all things construction will love Banbao’s construction building kits. Help develop your child’s gifts without breaking the bag with these highly-recommended, affordable Lego-alternatives for kids. A sleek miniature replica of Ferrari’s best car. There’s a good reason why Legos are among the most beloved toys of educators, parents, and kids. The Sluban brand is an excellent pick if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative that is also compatible with Lego. We cut pieces of tape so that we had plenty waiting once we got going. Gears! As always we have plenty of science experiments and STEM activities to get through a whole year. We have ours stored in a plastic shoebox. Build a Marble Run. Create striking images and illusions using nothing more than a camera, a light source, and a little practice. Your email address will not be published. Some affordable Lego alternatives are just as good as the original – for half the price. Grab a free printable too. It is made to match most Lego pieces. You can download an e-book where you can find easy instructions on how to create using IQ Builder. Each set mentioned above also allows kids to make whatever they want to make. Simple machines make our lives so much easier. The set features big, colorful blocks that can easily fit together and come apart – perfect for the small, delicate hands of your toddler. Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges?Â, Click below to get your quick and easy STEM challenges.Â. We have several popular versions of the homemade catapult, the best being made out of craft sticks and rubber bands. She strives to teach her kids through fun, interactive activities, and hope to help others do the same. Choose a set that fits your child’s learning level and interests. If kids frequently misplace Lego pieces, more economical options come in handy. If your kids love connecting pieces together, they will love Zoob. Super Set. Perfect for different ages, groups, and team building! When you avail of the Marble Genius Marble Run starter set, you’ll get 80 see-through marble run pieces. After Coupon Code: K89RANZI Verified. Lever arch refers to the attachment method, where holes are punched into the paper using a hole punch, and then the lever arch is inserted through the holes. When the blocks are entirely put together, they create a figure that’s worthy of being made a decoration. I am here to help you discover the fun in teaching your kids with hands-on STEM activities and crafts. Join us on our journey to discover just how cool science can be. Bristle Blocks is an excellent option for kids who are still learning how to build and stack blocks together. Young builders will get to experience how it is like to check and maintain the ship. Details Use Amazon ⦠The Lincoln Log pieces are designed to fit even small hands. We are having to do it virtually this year and I was hoping we could use some of your content? It is fun to make one with kids and with inexpensive things each kid can have one. Shoe boxes, craft stick, and hot glue â thatâs it! Cobi is also Lego-compatible. Comes in colorful pieces that kids will enjoy. Have races, conduct experiments, and explore physics while you play. And why is that? It’s always good to talk about the importance of failing with our kids. I’m Betty. The motorized building set features 529 pieces, including wheels, rods, and connectors. Each architecture set is scaled to give an accurate representation of the comparative size of each structure, with true-to-life color depiction. Even the simplest STEM activities like the catapult I talk about below provide numerous opportunities for kids to learn and explore STEM. This budget-friendly Lego alternative for kids is a big steal! If you are looking for an easy storage option for your paperwork, lever arch files can provide the perfect solution. There is no denying that building with Legos is both entertaining and educational. Before buying a Lego alternative, make sure it matches your child’s interest at the moment. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, and activities involving these fields have a huge impact on kids. The Gears! Take time to notice the shadows in your life and experiment with new ways to play with light. The Cobi blocks won’t just help improve your child’s creativity, dexterity, and fine motor skills. Turn it into a challenge to build a certain style of a bridge, a famous monument, or simply an abstract creation. This product from Hasbro includes customized designs from popular franchises such as Star Trek, and the Transformers. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, Learning at Home Resources • Always Moving Mommy. This affordable block set is like Lego, but smaller – it is an ideal choice for tweens, teens, and even adults. It comes with an easy-to-follow instruction guide that will help kids make amazing configurations with the clickable pieces. Gears! Click on the link or on the image below. Light and Shadow Explorations. The Kre-o brand is another Lego-compatible alternative for kids. Stack, lock, build, and create – Waffle Blocks works just as easy as that. Questions? Younger kids may need more assistance while older kids might choose to work independently. Gears! Here are our top recommendations for the best lego alternatives for kids! Unlike typical, stackable blocks, kids can create with Magformers by connecting different magnetic pieces. The brand also features awesome licensed sets to Pokemon, Halo, and Call of Duty. How to Choose The Best Budget Lego Alternatives for Kids, 11 Best LEGO Marvel Sets for Superhero Fans. Unlike Lego clones, click and snap toys do not look and fit like Legos but they do the same purpose – keep little hands busy with building. Wanting to build your Lego collection but the price is holding you back? Clones are affordable Lego alternatives that are also Lego-compatible. Just collect tissue roll empty, thick sheets, white cardstock, bending straw, scissors, and cutter. Your child can spend hours of meaningful, open-ended play. Go for a set that has the adequate amount of blocks to keep your child engaged. The Lincoln Logs set consists of 327 pieces of maple blocks kids can use to make their own little wooden community. Kids who love all things rockets and space will love this mission rocket! Fits into Legos, but don’t cost as much – they’re the Lego clones. Gears! The easy-to-use construction system allows kids to become extra creative and imaginative during playtime. I am a Youth Services librarian in Mississippi and we are working on our summer reading program. With just a set of IQ Builder, your kids will get a total of 164 connectible pieces to join, link, and fasten together to their delight. Well, easy STEM activities can look exactly like grabbing items from the pantry, recycling bin, junk drawer, and maybe a trip to the dollar store too. Click and snap toys could either be built by connecting magnetic strips, or interlocking bristles! With Bristle Blocks, there’s no limit to creativity. If you are looking for a bulk of blocks you can buy for a lower price, Mega Construx is your best bet. Kids can enjoy hours of creative play with the set’s 66 pieces of gears. Expires 04/30/21. 8. What happens when you take a classic fairy tale like The Three Little Pigs and you join it with architectural inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright? We also LOVE science and all things STEM. If you can stand to give your kids a carton of raw eggs, this type of STEM challenge will be a blast. Playing with Legos develops a child’s fine motor skills, problem-solving capacity, creativity, and patience. Building a marble run is full of design possibilities and really encourages those engineering skills. The Zoob set is composed of colorful hollow poles with socket-ended rods kids can easily connect together. Want to know how to get started? Grab a bag of 100 cups at the grocery store and challenge the kids to build a tower with all 100! Here’s our Christmas theme balloon rocket… MAKE A BALLOON ROCKET. Alternatively, you can make a balloon car! Only one sheet of paper needed to get started with this super easy to set up STEM challenge. The recommended sets encourage open-ended play that will help boost your kids’ imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills. What materials do I actually need to do fun STEM activities? Explore Newton’s Third Law of Motion when you design a balloon rocket. If I don’t know a whole lot about STEM, can we still do these activities? Or you can challenge the kids to build a tower 12″ tall (or any other height). Take the time to assess your child’s learning level, then review if the set of blocks is too easy, or too difficult for your child. Do your kids know all 6 simple machines? If you have pretty imaginative kids, they can even make unique creations! My son also decided to make a second DIY marble that dropped into the first one. LEGO Tinkering Explorations. Another reason why you should go for non-Lego blocks is because some of the best alternatives for Legos feature designs that Lego doesn’t have. My son loves building his own marble run design and put all the marbles in at once to see how they can get through the bottom. Go for Lego clones if you want to build your Lego collection in an affordable way. This space themed marble run can be found in This IS Rocket Science. For more details Buggy and Buddy. The pieces easily attach and come apart – works for little kids who are just learning how to build. Create a landing pad for a water balloon so it doesnât break. IQ Builder is ideal for ages 5 years old and older. Each set features tiny pieces that help add intricate detail to finished products. The set includes 6 solid bases that will help ensure your kids’ creations will have sturdy support. With its aesthetics and sounds, the PLAYMOBIL mission rocket looks like the real thing. Water Balloon Landing Pad. As long as your kiddo can use scissors safely, this is a great challenge to try! My son loves building his own marble run design and put all the marbles in at once to see how they can get through the bottom. Includes a step-by-step instruction sheet that will guide kids into making their first wooden cabin. Hi! Playing with log sets can teach kids hand-eye coordination, spatial recognition, and problem-solving skills! This post may contain affiliate links. $9.99 $19.99 (50% off) Free Shipping. Combine LEGO with everyday materials through delightful and varied activities. I always like to make sure I have a few basic supplies on hand as you will find in our engineering kit for kids. Hi! With Sluban, kids can create tanks, planes, and different kinds of trucks. The small pieces can be difficult for young kids to handle. Your email address will not be published. Classic building toys like wooden blocks and logs are great Lego alternatives for kids. Challenge your kids to only use what they can find and not buy. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. These materials make an awesome building kit! Light Play. POOL NOODLE MARBLE RUN. Kids love Magformers – they are colorful, easy to use, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to all the creations you can make with them. Set comes with a simple, easy-to-follow guide that will help your kids build in minutes! Please see my full disclosure policy for details. With Zoob, kids can create 3D figures they can move. Just ask us! Most of the recommended alternatives on the list above come with instructions on how to build them. There are some great vacation or distance learning STEM activities here that will really keep everyone busy. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you).