Looking for an easy summer STEM idea for your active toddler or preschooler? Build a pool noodle marble run using your dollar store pool noodles!

Marble Runs

This marble run was a lot fun and pool noodles are the perfect material to use to make it. Once cut into sections the center of the pool noodles is the exact diameter for marbles. It allows your little one to see the marbles running down which is very exciting to any toddler or preschooler! Use as many marbles as you can collect for added fun! This makes a great STEAM learning activity for kids. They can view gravity at work!

How to Set Up A Pool Noodle Marble Run

The first step in this activity is to cut your pool noodles. We actually used the pool noodles from another activity where we cut the noodles – Pool Noodle Racetrack. Take your pool noodle and cut it lengthwise on one side and then again along the opposite side. In the end, you should have two equal halves of the pool noodle.

Next, cut the halves into sections. You can cut them equally or make them different lengths in order to create some variety in your marble run. Use box cutters or scissors to do this as well. Or you can use the noodles halves whole to create a super long marble run!

Once you have your marble run sections its time to set up the marble run. I did this activity outside in the summer along my fence so I was able to use duct tape. I’ve tested duct tape on my fence before and it doesn’t not leave a mark or remove anything. Before using duct table test your surface, otherwise use painters tape or masking tape. This activity can easily be set up indoors using the pool noodles. Use painter’s tape if you are doing this indoors or if you don’t want to use duct tape.

Tape the pool noodle sections to the wall in a way that a marble will flow down. You’ll have to test the run with your little one to see which sections need fixing or adjusting. Once you have the marble run complete, let them marbles fly!

Don’t forget to add a basket or bowl at the bottom to collect the marbles, especially if you are using multiple marbles!

Science Behind Pool Noodle Marble Run

What’s happening? Let’s talk about it! The main STEAM learning opportunities with marbles run are gravity and friction and potential energy and kinetic energy.

Gravity is the force pulling the marble down the pool noodles. The steeper the slope the faster the marbles will roll. Friction is the force that slows objects down. As it reaches the bottom it hits the ground and rolls and eventually stops because of friction.

Potential energy is the energy that is stored up and ready to be released when the marble is dropped down the pool noodle.

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Potential energy turns into kinetic energy as the marble flows down the pool noodles.

Age Suitability

This activity is good for kids 3 years and up. My kids are 4, 4, and 8 year old.

Mess Level

This is a mess level is low.

Difficulty to Create

Medium.

Skills Developed in Pool Noodle Marble Run

Gross Motor Skills, problem solving, language development, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imaginative play, creativity.

Supplies for Pool Noodle Marble Run

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)

• Pool Noodles
• Tape (painters tape or duct tape)
• Box cutters or strong scissors
• Marbles

Check out My Books, TV Show & Play Kits!

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon. 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids – coming out September 27, 2022

Book: STEAM Crafts for Kids – coming out November 29, 2022

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to finally share my new crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched July 1 at on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube!

This show is all about fun and easy crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.

Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop our ready made play kits here.

WILL YOU TRY MAKING A POOL NOODLE MARBLE RUN WITH YOUR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER!