Marble runs are a long-lasting toy because you can design so many different types of games with them.

Setting up a marble race is a perfect example of the toy's versatility, and it can be a great learning opportunity for kids. It also introduces a competitive aspect, which further extends how much the toy gets played with.

TO CREATE A MARBLE RACE WITH YOUR MARBLE RUN, HERE ARE SOME STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Make sure you have a high-quality marble run.

There are lots of different marble runs on the market, and not all of them are created equal. (Check out our buying tips to find a fun and sturdy marble run.)

The best marble runs for racing have plenty of tubes and action pieces. See-through pieces are also a must-have, since they allow you to see the marble action from start to finish.

2. Decide which type of race you'll create with your marble run.

You can either build a race with interconnected pieces (like the one pictured below), or you can build two separate structures. Building an interconnected race requires a little more teamwork and planning, while separate structures allow for independent construction.

3. Evenly divide your marble run pieces.

Once you decide what type of race to set up, evenly divide the number of bases, tubes, and action pieces. This is very important so the race is as fair as possible. As you set up the marble run, you might find that one needs more bases or tubes than the other, which is okay. The key is that you don't want an imbalance of action pieces because it will greatly impact the outcome of the race. 

4. Decide how you'll conduct your marble race.

Now that your marble run is ready for the race, you have some options for how to conduct it. You can either release the marbles down the marble run simultaneously, or you can get a tablet/smartphone/stopwatch to time the marbles from top to bottom. We recommend trying both options and conducting the race at least three times before declaring a winner. This guarantees the result is consistent.

LEARNING BENEFITS OF MARBLE RACES

If you've been around here long, you know we believe strongly in the value of marble runs as an educational toy.

Marble races are a perfect learning opportunity for the following reasons:

• Kids can analyze which action pieces produce the fastest results and why.
• They learn basic physics concepts by noting how steepness and length affect the speed of the marble.
• They learn time concepts and comparison of results.
• They gain the ability to analyze processes and make adjustments to achieve faster results.

Setting up and executing a marble race is also an opportunity for us as parents to work alongside our kids and show them how we problem solve.

Marble runs provide kids so many opportunities to play and learn. The marble race is just one of the many ways you can use your marble run to help your child grow and develop.

We would love to learn how you use your marble run to have a marble race at home. Please send your pictures to us at support@marblegenius.com and we'll find a way to share with others!

In today's technology-driven world, kids seem to be strapped to screens rather than playing and interacting with other kids. But with the reinvention of classic toys like the marble run, they have the opportunity to be inspired through interactive play.

WHY MARBLE RUNS ARE THE PERFECT TOY

At Marble Genius, we've put a lot of work and thought into the designs of our marble run toys. Here are two of the many reasons we think marble runs are the perfect toy:

Marble runs offer endless building options.

Our system of see-through plastic tubes can be built in a massive array of heights and widths. You can make structures from a small tabletop design to a gargantuan structure that fills up a room. Creativity runs free as you connect action pieces with tubes, loops, spinning wheels, and more. If you get tired of your current structure, you can always build a new one. The possibilities truly are endless!

Marble runs inspire learning through play.

Marble runs are the ideal toy because they're not only fun, but they build important life skills in kids. Through trial and error, children are able to develop logical thinking skills, memory and recall, motor skills, and more. (For more on this topic, check out the following articles on promoting child development and the importance of interactive toys.)

MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MARBLE RUN

Marble runs are intended to be open-ended, meaning you can let your imagination go free as you design and build your own structures. However, some people like a little inspiration to get started.

To get the most out of your Marble Genius marble run, we've created four videos below that show builds from start to finish -- two for our Starter Set and two for our Super Set. The videos are set to music and move slowly enough that you can build your marble runs alongside them.

Our hope is that these videos will build your confidence, spark your creativity, and inspire you to dream up your own structures in the future. Happy building!

Marble Run Instructional Videos: Step-by-Step