Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

MARBLE RUNS - any experiences with Haba or Quadrilla? Worth the money?

16 replies

Astrophe · 08/01/2009 11:55

I'm thinking of getting one for DS's birthday...any reccomendations? I'm after a wooden one - the Haba and Quadrilla ones look good, but are pricey... But DS is only turning 3, and DD is 4, so I anticipate lots of years of use...

OP posts:
iheartdusty · 08/01/2009 23:32

I got Quadrilla Twist & Rail set for DS (5) at Christmas. It is sturdy and strong. The blocks are colour coded as to where they have holes (IYSWIM) so it will take a bit of trial and error to learn what goes where, and not to have marbles dropping out all over.

we made one of the designs from the leaflet and it was really good - varied, versatile, (marbles could go in about 4 different directions) and the DCs (5 and 7) played with it for ages.

I would say that 3/4 yr olds could put it together and have fun, but they would need help to reproduce the pictures and to avoid random marbles falling out of the sides. I definitely think it has longevity - my 11 yr old nephew was drawn to it as well.

It is worth getting a set with the big spiral bit.

Original poster
Astrophe · 09/01/2009 00:57

thanks iheartdusty! Anyone else?

OP posts:
Shitemum · 09/01/2009 01:01

We have the Galt one. It's plastic but much sturdier than other unknown brands I've come across. It's a big set with about 60 pieces, think it's called the super or mega marble run...

KingCanuteIAm · 09/01/2009 02:08

Exactly what iheartdusty said! my 4yo enjoys it but can't put thgether the ones in the book on her own yet - mind you she can identify which block next and find it ready etc.

We have the quadrilla and have just ordered a big expansion set - even my 11yo spent hours playing with it

alipiggie · 09/01/2009 03:42

Quadrilla any time over the others. My boys love it and it's definitely worth the investment. I love wooden toys anyway. We got a set (not twist and rail) withe the large spiral. I'd love to get an even bigger set now.

Wallace · 09/01/2009 06:42

We havethr galt one too. it is sturdy. 2 yr old can put it together but not correctly. 7 and 9 yr olds (and me!) still like to play

Original poster
Astrophe · 09/01/2009 07:51

great, thanks everyone! I'm still hoping someone will comment on the Haba one...its looks easier to put together as the blocks don't have to 'lock' together, just stack like blocks...I think.

OP posts:
pooka · 09/01/2009 07:55

We bought the quadrilla twist and rail set (I think that's what it's called) for dd and ds (5 and 3).

Is brilliant. But there's no way they can construct it yet on their own - is quite complicated. But boy is it fantastic! DH and I are enjoying it very much and are working out what extras to get.

Once up, is fairly stable. THe children love it too.

But if you were thinking of one your ds could construct himself, perhaps it'd be worth getting a smaller one i.e. a plastic one first.

Love it though.

The amazon reviews were anti the haba one - can't remember why.

pooka · 09/01/2009 07:55

Ours came with 2 spirals. We're thinking of getting the straight rail set so can get some see-saws.

RubberDuck · 09/01/2009 08:06

I know you want a wooden one, but we got the Galt Marble Racer for Christmas and it's so much fun. You can race the marbles down to see who wins. It's also fairly easy to invent new tracks and put all together and we had adults playing with it happily as well! Dses are 7 and 4.

Original poster
Astrophe · 09/01/2009 08:14

tempted by the lower price of the galt one! but still love the wooden ones...

Will check the amazon review, thanks pooka

OP posts:
FourArms · 09/01/2009 09:33

We have the ELC version, and I much preferred it to the GALT one. It's much easier to put together, and DS has been able to assemble his own run since he was about 3. We now have 5 sets (picked up at carboots and nearly new sales) and it's a family favourite!

KingCanuteIAm · 09/01/2009 21:12

The quadrilla one locate together rather than lock. It means they are much harder to knock down than one that woukld just stack. It is not difficult to do, I would expect most ages of child to be able to manage it - in fact I would say it is easier than just stacking them as they won't slide off so easily.

Original poster
Astrophe · 09/01/2009 22:16

hmm, now I don't know what to do. Couldn't find any reviews on amazon.

OP posts:
pooka · 10/01/2009 09:29

IF you go to amazon.com rather than amazon.co.uk and put quadrilla in under the search, there are quite a lot of quadrilla reviews.

The co.uk version has customer reviews of galt too, and I'm sure that there are haba reviews on the .com site.

Is tricky - I think the quadrilla will last for ages and I love it. But personally I find that my children need significant help to construct and at the moment we mostly make what is suggested in the guide rather than free-making IYSWIM. Still love it.

NotQuiteCockney · 10/01/2009 09:42

I've had galt. It's quite limited in what you can make, and not very flexible. But it is sturdy, and the kids can use it on their own.

I've had Quercetti, and that ones is pretty good, actually. For reasonably old kids, anyway. Maybe not for your two?

I've also had Techno Gears. DO NOT EVER BUY THIS. It looks lovely from the outside, but is monstrous to build and collapses if you look at it. (And I like building things. I think Ikea furniture is fun.)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread