To think a marble run is unsuitable for a 2.7 yr old.

[ACardiganForCat]

He doesn't chew toys anymore but the idea makes me nervous. Am I being PFB about this?

Marble runs are fantastic for fine motor development and problem solving. If supported while he's playing with it, it's a great learning toy.

Yanbu. DD is not far off 4 and I wouldn't want her having one yet

DD is 23 months and loves her brother's marble run (he had it for his fourth birthday). She has passed the putting everything in her mouth stage, although I wouldn't leave her alone with it. Being a younger sibling she has had a lot of exposure to "older" toys.

Safety concerns aside, 2.7 is probably a bit young to fully enjoy it (the one I have says age 4 to adult, and I'm an adult and still can't figure out how to use up all the pieces!) Age 3.5 - 4 would probably be better. DS needs help to do all but a very simple marble run, so he only tends to play with it when I can help him.

It's a great toy for two year olds but needs very close supervision.

My top tip: YOU build the marble run, with help and suggestions from your child, and then get out ONE celebratory marble. That way, you only have one marble to look for at the end of the session.

You can sit happily on the sofa cuddling and feeding your newborn while watching over the marble run.

Marble run is by far the best toy we have owned. We have two lots, to make one big giant lot iyswim.

When the kids were toddlers I kept the marbles in a separate pot, they would build a run and then we put the marbles in together. Now they are 5, 7 and 9 and they all play together with it loads, by far the best thing to keep them all occupied!

Great toy.

There are stories in extended family about 4-5yo boys almost choking to death on marbles. So I banned them for mine until nearly 6yo. MNers have called me a ridiculous hysteric for that. I'm blasé about 2-4yos up trees or leaving an 8yo home alone, but the marbles thing I just don't want to risk it. I bought a posh marble run (Quadrilla) for youngest DC's 6th birthday but it only had lukewarm attention. What the kids really love are especially pretty marbles and any sort of polished semi-precious stone.

I had one with a 2yo and a newborn. It was fab, but it meant that it only came out when I was able to supervise properly.

There is something about marbles that makes you want to put one in your mouth. Pretty and smooth things. Killer sweets perhaps.
I realise this may just be me!

Yanbu.

Ds1 aged 6 has begged for a marble game for Xmas and I've very reluctantly got one (have ds2 4 also).

BUT it will be one of the games I keep boxed on top of the fridge (safest place that can't be reached) and only played with under supervision.

I wouldn't even consider letting a 2 or 3 year old play with marbles. Ds2 is 4.5 and I'll still be watching him like a hawk when ds1 has it out...and keeping an eye on ds1 too.