MindWare Marble Run: 123 Piece Set (103 Durable Pieces and 20 Marbles) STEM Building Set for Kids

This review is for the Mindware MarbleRun- 123pc set. I purchased this MarbleRun for my 3 year old son, but it is often used by everyone in my house- ages 3, 10, 13 and 40. I use it in conjunction with the Mindware Mega MarbleRun- also for sale on Amazon and also highly recommended. Out of the several brands we've tried of marble runs, Mindware has been our favorite- giving us the best quality with a reasonable price point. The Mindware MarbleRun is a large and colorful set with various attachments which allow for endless possibilities of configurations. All of the pieces fit together snugly which prevent the accidental tumbles that occur with flimsy sets. Although the ideal place to use this is on a hard flat surface, it does work quite well on carpet. this set uses and comes with standard size marbles. This is very handy as it's easy to replace the marbles should they go missing. My 3 year old is not able to assemble the marble run himself, but kids 6+ seem to have no issues assembling this independently. The nice part about how sturdy it is and how snugly the pieces fit together is that I can assemble a marble run for the kids and it holds together well throughout hours of playing. I can build one large marble run and have it last for days worth of play without having to worry about it falling apart. Our previous marble run was so flimsy, I found myself building and rebuilding several times a day. The images that Mindware uses to advertise this product are accurate in showcasing its size and vibrancy. What you see is what you get and, I promise, you will not be disappointed. Like I said before, I bought this to use in conjunction with the Mindware Mega MarbleRun, but I find it to be entertaining and large enough to use as an individual set. If I had to choose only one set to get for my home, it would have to be the Mega set because you get an amazing amount for such a low price. Plus the alpine slope included with the Mega set is a family favorite. But if you're looking for a marble run set with a lower price point, this for sure is the set you should get. This is actually a favorite gift we like to give for birthdays and other special occasions. Parents sometimes give us the side eye because they think it looks like it's just going to be a pain and a mess, but it never fails that their kids love it. It not only entertains kids, but it promotes problem solving and creativity. It's also great for allowing for individual or cooperative group play. It's also easy to pick up and store, and easy to bring back out and assemble.

This was my almost five year old son's Santa gift this year and let me just say...this was the best gift to get for him. Granted he needed help with making sure the tracks were set up securely and going in the right direction but it taught him trial and error. I have a seven year old daughter and an almost five year old son and they both LOVE it. The second track we made had five entry points with two exit points and stood close to four feet tall. It is very secure and stable. I am only a stay at home mom with no physics or engineering background and I found building this a cinch. You do have to have a creative mind to easily build it but even a non-creative mind can build a secure and stable marble run with doing test runs to make sure the marbles are going through the tracks correctly. I did hours and hours of research on marble runs and decided on this one from Mindware. I am VERY pleased with the brand. The vertical spinners on the slanted tracks snap in so they don't bump out when a marble passes through, there's plenty of bright primary colors as well as clear pieces, lots of variety with attachments and the pieces fit snugly together for a good fit. Occasionally you do have to push/tighten sections back together but this is because of the vibration of constant use. It is not a manufacture defect but rather a sign your kids love the toy and use it well. Oh, and this comes with real marbles! Most marble runs and marble run expansion kids come with plastic marbles. This one does not, they are real glass marbles. We do have one marble that seems to be a millimeter too big but if it has enough momentum going through the track it rarely gets stuck. And if you are thinking about expansion kits, we also have the Creative Minds 40 pc. set and that did come with plastic marbles but they still work fine. The two sets work really well together but I will say the Mindware set is an obvious better set. The Creative Minds expansion is built well like the Mindware set but, for example, the vertical spinners just sit in the slanted tracks opposed to snapping into the slanted piece. But both work very well I together and suggest either of the two marble runs. I will say all other reviews on how this Marble run is cheap and a waste of money is not true. I do suggest building the track on a hard level surface (like tile or hardwood) otherwise it will topple over or not work as well. Plus, make sure you have a stable base. Otherwise, again, it will topple over or not work as well. From an ordinary mom with no engineering or physics background, this is a very good toy with years to use coming. If I could give this an extra star I would!! Buy this people! It comes with a lot of pieces for a good price.

I thought it would come with instructions...silly me. Don't try following the pic on the box either, that won't work! Youtube videos are hit or miss...doesn't anyone know how to make a video? If you're giving this as a gift, expect to use lots of imagination putting it together and all the pieces will not be used. Had all the adults working on it and my engineer son (be sure to have other toys to keep the little ones occupied while you're struggling with this one)...finally got a good one together so the little ones could play. Unfortunately, it came apart when I moved it so I spent the better part of an afternoon putting one together and it is still together with the threat of bodily harm ;) to any adult who knocks it over! The children love this thing and will spend hours sending marbles down the runs. We even lose an adult now and again and when they are found, they are playing with this darn thing. Fun for all ages, once you get it put together.

We love this product. Many hours of fun and creativity.