Review: STEM Marble Run Magic For Vital Skills

Disclaimer: We were sent this Marble Run set for free in return for a review. All opinions are our own. 

We recognised that Cyrus was ready for a marble run when he took to creatively using my old Kerplunk game as one! It was definitely time to invest. Marble runs are great because they help with advanced cognitive skills and also improve motor skills whilst also teaching problem-solving skills.

We put the DesignNest MagnetCubes Rollercoaster Marble Run – Modular Magnetic Building kit to the test recently on the homefront. And it proved a real winner for all our family (who ended up working on it together).

Easy to assemble

My first thought was that it was really easy to assemble as the blocks magnetically clicked together. The marble run (aimed at children eight and over) has given Cyrus confidence, creativity, and it’s also helped with his teamwork skills too.

It has required close supervision because of its small parts, but we anticipated that as it is for older children after all. The starter pack contains 64 MagnetCubes, 32 clips, 4 U-turns, 10 straight pieces, 10 quarter-turns, 4 downs, and of course, three marbles.

Reconnect using magnets

In just over a week, we have built, rebuilt and built again. The structures are easy to take apart and reconnect using magnets. The cubes have given Cyrus freedom to build a variety of miniature rollercoasters and structures time and time again. He also loves the fact that the rollercoaster can be built so tall. Once finished, it’s one impressive futuristic multi-level design.

Of course, the real prize at the end has been watching his reaction as the marbles have rolled through the series. While the set contains magnetic marbles, Cyrus has experimented with gravity, magnetism and kinetics. He has discovered quickly that his glass marbles worked on his tracks too.

Pictures for inspiration

It’s been great for keeping his mind off the iPad screen and his little fingers busy during lockdown. The set comes with instructions, and best of all pictures for inspo! While it doesn’t topple easily, Cyrus did break a couple of the pieces while playing. Hence it could probably have done with a strong storage case. For older ones though, the set is great for challenging spatial reasoning and understanding of physics principles.

DesignNest MagnetCubes Rollercoaster Marble Run – Modular Magnetic Building is good value at £39.99 for such an educational toy. Available from 2Tech.co.uk