My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Christmas

Marble run for 3 year old?

26 replies

GervaseFen · 29/11/2020 08:02

What marble run do you have? I see hubelino and quadrilla recommended a lot and can't decide

OP posts:
Report
Isadora2007 · 29/11/2020 08:14

We had a wooden one - possibly quadrilla (made by Hape?) and tbh it was a little frustrating for a little one as the bits didn’t really “fit” together and needed to balance a bit. So perhaps that hube Lino set would be good as it looks a bit like duplo so will actually stay together while they play.
I believe the quadrillo is for 4+ so would perhaps be something for the future.

Report
AaronPurr · 29/11/2020 08:16

Does it have to be a wooden one? We've had both, (I work with children) and they much prefer the plastic ones. They fit together better and have fun features like spinning chutes and loop the loops.

Report
GervaseFen · 29/11/2020 08:30

That's helpful, thanks! It doesn't have to be wod - the main thing is that she enjoys playing with it. If things are plastic I'm just buying second hand to try and avoid adding to waste.

OP posts:
Report
MaryBoBary · 29/11/2020 08:33

Yes I agree that the plastic ones are much more popular with children. They are bright and colourful as well as having the extra features mentioned above.

Report
Sunshine1235 · 29/11/2020 08:37

Plastic ones come up loads and quite cheaply on our Facebook selling page so might be worth looking on there if you’re worried about buying new plastic?

Report
DonLewis · 29/11/2020 08:37

Eeek. I find the plastic ones difficult for little ones to put together and they aren't as sturdy either. We had wooden ones and plastic ones and we still have the wooden ones even though my ds is 8, because he still likes to get it out every now and again.

Try Quercetti tubations for the plastic tubes that connect though, again, we still have those out! It started with a saxoflute.

Report
GervaseFen · 29/11/2020 09:49

This is why I find it so difficult to choose!

OP posts:
Report
DonLewis · 29/11/2020 09:55

The plastic ones are better for older kids. They are more fun I suppose, but there are so many pieces and they constantly topple over! The wooden ones do not have that problem!

Report
AaronPurr · 29/11/2020 10:04

and they constantly topple over! The wooden ones do not have that problem!

All marble runs have the potential to topple over. Perhaps it happens more with the plastic ones as you're able to build them higher than the wooden ones?

I agree with the previous poster who suggested facebook sites / marketplace for plastic marble runs. Wooden ones tend to be more expensive, even second hand.

Report
Backbee · 29/11/2020 10:07

Screwball scramble is fantastic, I had it when I was younger and spent many, many hours playing. It is actually still in fantastic condition over 20 years later, if you're worried about buying new plastic maybe you could see if anyone is selling one second hand. Check the age though, the ball was quite small and could be a choking hazard. I had a wooden one as well that was pretty boring, I sold it at the car boot sale not long after getting it.

Report
KitKatastrophe · 29/11/2020 10:11

A wooden toy which doesnt get used is more of a waste than a plastic toy which gets used loads and then sold second hand.

Report
premmie09 · 29/11/2020 10:14

Galt brand is really good.

Report
Murmurur · 29/11/2020 10:15

I would go with a good plastic one for littlies, Eg Galt. I think they grow into the wooden ones, which take a bit more processing to put together a successful run. I don't think we've ever broken a piece of a plastic one. When my son was 4 he would pile all the pieces on top of each other in one huge straight stack (he's autistic) and although it was wobbly, it did work and he was proud of his creation.

Report
Countdowntonothing · 29/11/2020 10:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GervaseFen · 29/11/2020 11:52

Do you mean they make runs with the rainbow @Countdowntonothing?

OP posts:
Report
user68634 · 29/11/2020 12:54

We have the Galt one which my kids love. I bought a big wooden set from Lidl on sale which looks just like the Hape one, and is compatible with Quadrilla etc. But before I gifted it we were given the Galt one. From reading lots of reviews from others it's often divided which is best, but most say younger kids can struggle with the wooden sets but enjoy it if you play with them and lead most of the most. For independent play better for 6+. Having said that, my 3 year old needs a lot of help to build the Galt marble run too. But he can play around with it and build the pieces together. I've decided to keep the wooden set in the attic and gift it to my youngest when he is around 6.

Report
FromTheAllotment · 29/11/2020 15:46

Get lots, second hand.

I found a double set of old ELC marble run at a boot fair. You need plenty to really build exciting & tall creations. DS adored it but only at age 4 1/2 has he started assembling it himself, so for a 3yo, make sure you’re willing to do the construction.

Report
Catabogus · 29/11/2020 15:58

If you already have some Duplo, get Hubelino! It goes with the existing Duplo and converts it to a marble run. It’s the easiest for a 3yo to use by a long way.

Report
EcoCustard · 29/11/2020 20:15

Dd 3.5 plays with her brothers Galt marble run a lot, she tends to make small runs though and I help extend them.
For Christmas she is getting the Hubelino marble run set, we have a lot of Duplo which she plays with daily so think it will be a hit. It looks very easy to use.
We had a wooden one a few years ago but ds never took to it, it was awkward to put together and was a bit dull.

Report
DinosaurOfFire · 29/11/2020 20:44

Haba Kullerbu/ Rollerby is the best in my opinion- it's lots of little sets that you can expand on and they fit together with plastic attachments.
We have the dragonland one below and a couple of other sets, it gets played with a lot and has the advantage of fitting Thomas minis and Cars 3 minis on it too as a track system, so is multi purpose.
yesbebe.co.uk/haba/13655-haba-kullerbu-play-track-city-stroll/?search_query=kullerbu&results=37
yesbebe.co.uk/haba/39936-haba-kullerbue-ball-track-dragonland/?search_query=kullerbu&results=37

Report
Mol1628 · 29/11/2020 20:52

Galt marble run is great. Better than the wooden ones.

Report
Oly4 · 29/11/2020 20:53

Galt marble runs are brilliant from age 3 and you can keep adding to them. My 9yo still loves it too

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

GervaseFen · 30/11/2020 09:33

Great ideas, thank you all!

OP posts:
Report
LeaveMyDamnJam · 30/11/2020 09:36

I had this one when I was young. You’ve just reminded me and brought back loads of memories. 🥰

Marble run for 3 year old?
Report
Countdowntonothing · 30/11/2020 15:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.