Wooden Marble Maze

September 25, 2010
In
Tag, , ,
31 comments

The idea for this came into my head a couple of weeks ago.  I’m probably not the first one to do it, but it’s quite fun to play with.  Similar to a marble labyrinth, only much easier, which makes it great for younger kids.  Just set the marble on the small start hole, then get it to roll down the path all the way to the end, where it drops satisfyingly into the little pouch.  (I couldn’t resist using some vintage neck tie scrap for the pouch.  It gave it a nice billiards feel I think.)

The design ended up having a little Victor Pasmore feel to it, which I like.

31 Responses
  3. zoalspippi

    Wow! I just LOVE your toys, they are so playful yet elegant and simple in a genius way. You deserve to sell those in toy stores worldwide i say! Love fro The Netherlands.

  5. Lori Henriques

    wow. i wish you would've brought it over today!!!!!!! awesome. i totally want to try it! not familiar with VP, but REALLY love the design. i think hermes should hire you! i would like a scarf with squiggly lines just like this. fantastique!

  10. Hanna from the corner table

    Thanks for your amazing blog and ideas!

    I don't even have kids but I find this all so inspiring ;)

  11. Joel Henriques

    Thanks everybody!

    You guys don't miss much. I just added the "top 5" yesterday, but it would be more accurate to say "5 most popular posts". I should change that. I thought it would be handy to have some quick references for people.

    But yeah, I'm really enjoying this marble thing a lot myself! Jack and Tess find it fascinating too, but some of the angular corners are a little tricky. I'm going to adjust the design a bit on the next one.

  14. Heidi - Botanical PaperWorks seed paper

    Super cool! I wonder if the idea would work with heavy cardboard? I'm not into wood but I do like chipboard and cardboard. ~Heidi

  15. Joel Henriques

    Thanks!

    Heidi – I bet you could make it work with a sturdy cardboard. Just cut it out with a craft knife, and try a simple curving path with no sharp corners. good idea!

  16. Elin

    This is just brilliant, you have such great ideas that yet are so simple!

    I wish I was more handy with wood, but I just might try it with cardboard as Heidi said.

    I never liked the "real" labyrinths, they are too difficult for me even as an adult…

  20. Else M Tennessen

    I want this toy. So cool! Can you post the pattern you used so we can cut out our own? You are brilliant, Joel. :)

  23. ginger

    This is so neat! I'm going to make this as soon as we get back from vacation–what did you use to drill the path? Thanks for having such a great blog!

  24. Joel Henriques

    Thanks everybody!

    ginger – I actually used my scroll saw, which you can take the blade out of and re-insert it through a drilled hole for inside cuts. You could also probably use a router though maybe.

  27. joyce

    Love this!
    Although, as a teacher, I see my children’s name scrolled in the board written in cursive instead of a path :))

    1. Joel

      Birch Plywood. I think it’s baltic birch ply, but not sure. Got it from my grandfather-in-law, and he’s had it for a few decades.

  29. Pieter

    Hi Joel,
    we love your design. We want to make it as a group of parents for our kids, so I have to buy material for all of us. Can you help me with the size of the maze as you made it, and thickness of the plywood you used?
    Cheers!

    1. Joel

      Hi. It doesn’t really matter what size you make it. Just so you can comfortably hold it with two hands. I think mine was probably about 14×8″. Just guessing. It was also 1/8 inch plywood. You can get more info on the construction too, by reading my comments above if you’d like.