Kitchen Roll Marble Run

Get ready for some hands-on engineering fun with this exciting STEM activity that lets kids explore gravity, angles and speed—all through play.

You’ll Need:

  • 5 empty paper rolls
  • Paint or markers
  • Scissors
  • Tape or glue
  • Small marbles or beads

Let’s Make it:

  1. Cut two of the paper rolls in half lengthwise to make open ramps, then paint all in bright, fun colors and let them dry completely.
  2. Use the three full rolls as towers. On each tower, cut small half-circle openings where the ramps will slide in — these will connect the levels of your marble run.
  3. Slide each ramp into the half-circle openings so that the ramps slope gently downward from one tower to the next. Secure everything with tape or glue to hold it steady.
  4. Drop a marble from the top and watch it roll down the ramps. If it slows or gets stuck, just adjust the angles — that’s part of the fun and discovery.

Why We Love It:

  • Simple materials turn into a hands-on STEM project.
  • Builds problem-solving and early engineering skills.
  • Encourages trial-and-error learning (just like real scientists).
  • Teaches real science—gravity, motion and cause & effect.

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