Easy Marble Mazes

Since we're now recycling just about everything it will likely be no problem to find things around your house, which you would normally throw away, and use them to create fun - and free - games for your kids. Marble games are especially fun since many kids already have the marbles. When you gather a few things from around your house you can create a different marble maze game for each of your kids. Only have one child? Make a collection of marble maze games and each will look completely different.

If you have a plastic lid from a bowl it can be quickly turned into a marble maze game. The lid must be one that has at least a half-inch rim on it. Lay the lid down so that the top of the lid is on a table. Then, use drinking straws to create the maze. Cut sections of the straw, bend some of them; use others as straight pieces. Curve pieces into a half-circle shape to create areas where the marble starts and ends. Hot glue will quickly affix the straws to the lid.

Besides a bowl lid, other things you can use to make a maze include a box lid, a shallow box, the lid from a popcorn can, a shallow tin or tin lid, or a butter bowl lid. You could also use just a piece of wood or cardboard, and glue sides on it. Sides can be made from dowels, sticks, straws or even rows of beads. Additional things you can use to create the maze itself include coffee stirrers, pieces of wire, wooden dowel pieces, strips of stiff cardboard, or even sections cut from a pencil.

Kids can have a great time playing the marble games but, just for fun, you can also make a miniature version. Use a tiny box lid, or similar object, then use a bead in place of the marble. The bead should be one that's round, of course, but not faceted.

Kids - just like anyone - love to get new things, and games are one of their favorite things to get. The marble maze games will give them hours of fun and excitement but, if they get bored, just make them a different one. Create simplistic versions, using things you have at home, or make nicer versions, and give them out for birthdays, holidays, or for no special occasion at all.