Calling all inventors, tinkerers, recyclers, future engineers, current engineers, non-engineers! It’s time to put all those empty toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes, and yogurt cups to good use. We challenge you to create a marble maze or a ball run of epic proportions (or as big as you want)!
Download and print these directions (so you can get off the computer)!
Materials
Your unique ball run will depend on what materials you use, and how you creatively put them together! Your materials can be whatever you have around, but here are some ideas:
- Scissors
- Tubes and diverters
- Contents of recycling bins
- Cardboard
- Toilet paper tubes
- Paper towel tubes
- Egg cartons
- Water bottles
- Yogurt tubs
- High rimmed, thick paper plates
- Balls
- Ping pong
- Tennis
- Marble
- Bouncy
- Connectors
- Zip ties
- Clothespins
- String/yarn
- Rubber bands
- Tape
- Masking
- Duct
- Painter’s
- Packing
Step One: Start building!
Adhere your tubes and dividers using your tape and connectors. Create a run that is at least 8 feet long, with at least 4 direction changes.
Extra Challenges!
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- Can it accommodate different size balls?
- Include a lever or a pinwheel
- Include different heights
- Include a water feature
- Film it and set it to music
- How many different types of building materials can you use?
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Need some inspiration?
Here’s what our friend Tim from The RE Store and his daughter Saylor made!
And then there are the professionals: Epic Ball Run
Send us a photo of your work or tag us on Instagram @resources_protects)!
