Techno Gears Marble Mania Crankster

By The Learning Journey International
Price $19.99
Age 6+

The building kids do with this kit is, in and of itself, a marvelously fun activity, but when the play value of the finished marble and gear run is taken into account, the fun factor goes through the roof. The variety of shapes, sizes, and connectors fitted together during the construction process make for an intellectually stimulating experience that requires careful attention. The looks of excited anticipation on kids' faces as the structure takes shape are replaced by ones of joyful satisfaction once the marble run is ready for action. A marble released at the top of the multi-level run rolls, drops, takes numerous turns, and passes through stepwheels powered by the marble's own weight. Upon reaching the bottom, the marble is scooped up by one of several buckets on a chain pulley system powered by a hand crank and carried to the top where it shoots onto the ramp for another trip through the run. The Crankster set includes over 100 pieces and requires roughly 1-2 hours of construction for completion.