Can you make it around the maze from one end to the other? This DIY marble maze is easy to make, fun for all ages and great for hand eye coordination. All you need is a paper plate, paper, a marble, and some tape. Use what you have around the house or classroom to explore simple STEM activities any day of the week.
Easy Marble Maze Project
The paper plate marble maze activity is a fantastic way to engage kids in STEM learning. By designing and building their own maze, kids get hands-on experience with concepts like gravity, friction, and momentum. As they test and tweak their designs, they learn about trial and error, problem-solving, and the importance of precision in engineering.
Read more: What is STEM?
Through this activity, children also develop spatial reasoning skills as they visualize the path the marble will take and adjust the maze accordingly. Overall, the paper plate marble maze combines creativity and critical thinking, making it an effective tool for introducing learners to the exciting world of STEM.
Try more: Grab the Jr Engineer Challenge Calendar!
SUPPLIES:
- Printable Marble Maze Template (see below)
- Paper plate
- Marble
- Colored paper
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
How to Make a Paper Plate Marble Maze
STEP 1: Print the marble maze template and cut out the parts. (You can use colored paper if you like.)
STEP 2: Place the paper strips into the shape of an asterisk in the center of the paper plate.
STEP 3: Tape down the outer edges of each paper strip.
STEP 4: Make an arch with each strip and tape the other end down.
STEP 5: Tape the center circle and Start/Finish line.
TO PLAY: Place a marble at the ‘start’ line and try to get it through
each arch and back to the ‘finish’ line as quickly as possible. How fast can you do it?
Free Marble Maze Template
What’s Happening?
In a paper plate marble maze, kids encounter three fundamental concepts in STEM: gravity, friction, and momentum. Plus find ways to increase the difficulty of the activity with a few simple suggestions.
Gravity pulls the marble downward, influencing its path through the maze and teaching children about the force that keeps objects grounded.
Friction, the resistance between surfaces in contact, affects how smoothly the marble moves along the maze’s twists and turns. By experimenting with different materials and surface textures, kids can observe how friction impacts the marble’s speed and direction.
Momentum, the marble’s tendency to keep moving once set in motion, comes into play as kids design ramps and obstacles that challenge the marble’s momentum, prompting them to consider how changes in height and angle affect its velocity.
Developing Hand-Eye Coordination
It seems simple, but hand-eye coordination involves many body systems. It involves visual processing to know where the body is in space and how it is moving. Hand-eye coordination is important in everyday tasks such as grasping objects, handwriting, playing games, eating, cooking, and even doing one’s hair. Like other body skills, hand-eye coordination can be practiced and improved.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Paper Plate Maze With Magnets
Most people think of hand-eye coordination as accurately catching a ball or throw. However, it is much more and is used in everyday tasks. Simply put, the body can coordinate hand movement based on eye information.
This marble maze game below allows kids to practice hand-eye coordination. Read on to learn how to make your own simple marble maze.
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO WITH MARBLES
More Fun STEM Projects
STEM Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Engineering Design Process Explained
- What Is An Engineer?
- Engineering Words
- Real World STEM
- Questions for Reflection (get them talking about it!)
- BEST STEM Books for Kids
- 14 Engineering Books for Kids
- Jr. Engineer Challenge Calendar (Free)
- Must Have STEM Supplies List
- Join us in the Club
Printable STEM Pack for Kids
80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!
- Full instructions with sample images
- Activity-specific instruction sheets
- Data Collection Sheets
- Questions for Reflection
- Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
- Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
- Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
- 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
- Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
- Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
- What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
- Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
- Engineering vocabulary cards
- Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!
I am a 40 year veteran retired teacher. I now tutor multiple grade levels. I was applying for the “ free” offer. Then with 90% upload a $7.99 price popped up for this activity. ????
Hi, the freebie is sent to your email but may end up in spam or promotions so do check there. Otherwise please email [email protected] for a copy!