Marble Run
Also known as marble race, marble maze and marble railway, these games start at beginners level and go up to genius level.
They are ridiculous amounts of fun as you can continually change the shape and configurations of the track.
You can either follow the instructions to build amazing tracks or let your imagination run wild and design your own.
They encourage creativity and help kids to understand speed and movement.
Once the first one is built, mum, dad, big sister, everyone will want to have a go and get involved in building a big, quicker, faster more twisted track.
Here are a selection of some of the better ones available on Amazon.
MARBLEWORKS® Marble Run Starter Set
Great starter set, comes with 46 colorful tubes, chutes, bases and 10 marbles. You can buy additional sets to add on later.
Mindware Marble Run 103 Piece Set
With 103 pieces including 20 marbles this set includes a spinners stack, merry-go-rounds, drop-throughs and clear tubes.
Marbulous Marble Run 202 Piece Set
Extremely well priced and with 202 pieces plus 50 marbles this will keep kids and adults occupied for hours.
Quadrilla Loop de Loop Marble Railway
Made from wood these are extremely well built and stable. They are easy to assemble and can be built into many designs.
Quadrilla Xcellerator Marble Railway
This is an amazing set, it comes with a spiralling funnel, a mix of straight and curved rails, and 10 accelerators that will keep kids and adults entertained for days. Watching all 50 marbles work their way through the maze at once is totally mesmerising.
Quadrilla The Challenger Marble Railway
Don't worry, the set comes with easy to follow picture book instructions. With high velocity funnels, straight and curved rails, a see-saw, accelerators, levelers and 50 marbles the possibilities are endless.