talk to me about marble runs please?

[dannyboyle]

am looking to get (I think!) a marble run for our girls aged 4 and 2.5. Not girly girls so this might work. Want something that is suitable for this age but can be added to/maintain interest for a few years.

Are wooden ones worth it? Any good recommendations please? Don't want to spend a lot, but would rather spend a reasonable amount to get something useful that would survive and interest an active 2.5 year old.

We have the Marbutopia one, quite similar to the Galt. Bought basic set first and then has had additions over the years. Not being able to do all of it by themselves straight off shouldn't be a negative but a plus I would say.

we also have the marbutopia, but with only one set its not really enough to build a good run. dc's also find it difficult to balance and they're older than yours op. we got a haba set last year and it is loved by all. IMO it encourages more imaginative play as there are more possibilities, ours has been used to build dinosaur lairs and all sorts. it looks like it will last forever and looking at eBay it holds its value for resale. there are some amazing sets, but they are £££.

What an apposite thread! DS (4) is obsessed by marble runs at the moment, and spends at lot of his free time raiding the recycling for plastic bottles to chop up and make his own. We also have random bits of plastic tubing tied to the standard lamp in the living room, as part of the Grand Scheme. I was going to try to make him one out of offcuts of plywood, but maybe I'll start by googling all these suggestions....