Sometimes you just need a quick and easy activity for kids. This paper plate marble maze uses basic paper straws and glue. It’s perfect for car rides, lazy afternoons, or a quick STEM activity for school.
We have been doing a lot of Marble activities, lately. I know Marble Run is mostly to blame, and that’s ok! It’s all a lot of fun. Last time, we recycled toilet paper rolls to make a fun marble tubes game! I think next will be a marble STEM activity, to keep their brains in motion!
Easy or hard, these sure are fun!
Paper Plate Marble Maze
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When the kids are bored and you feel out of ideas, paper plates always come to the rescue. With a little imagination, paper plates can become anything kids dream.
A paper plate marble maze is easy to put together. You only need a few supplies, and kids can easily customize their own mazes. If kids want to, they can paint their paper plates in advance.
Check out this version of the marble maze for even more ideas!
Supplies:
- white paper plates
- paper straws
- tacky craft glue
- marbles or round beads
- scissors
- felt tip pen
Gather your supplies!
How to Make a Maze:
Use Tacky glue to add the straws to the paper plate. Leave space in between straws for the marble to pass through the maze.
After gathering supplies, invite kids to cut the straws into shorter pieces with scissors. Using a variety of sizes makes the maze interesting!
Next, show kids how to glue their straws to the paper plate to create a maze. We used tacky craft glue, but white school glue would work as well.
Creating the maze requires some planning, as kids will have to decide where the start and end of their maze is.
You may wish to have kids design their maze on a piece of paper first. It will be fun to see their project come to life!
Maze Ideas
Place one of the first straws, and have your child build from there.
Decide where the start and end will be, and then have your child fill it in!
Try to make mazes in different shapes! Triangles, squares, circles. The different shapes will make the mazes easier or harder!
Can you beat this marble maze in one try?
Paper Plate Marble Maze Challenge
When kids are done creating their mazes, it’s challenge time! Study the science behind movement while having a friendly competition …because fun!
Can they get their marble or wooden bead from start to finish without dropping it? After they succeed, invite them to trade mazes with a friend.
After that, they can race each other with a paper plate marble run. Up the ante and get even more scientific by using different sized round beads/ marbles, to see how that affects speed!
More Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
After you are finished with your paper plate marble maze, click the links below to view more creative ideas for kids using paper plates:
Comment below with your favorite paper plate crafts!
Simple Paper Plate Marble Maze
Materials
- white paper plates
- paper straws
- tacky craft glue
- marbles or round beads
Tools
- scissors
- felt tip pen
Instructions
1. After gathering supplies, invite kids to cut the straws into shorter pieces with scissors.
2. Next, show kids how to glue their straws to the paper plate to create a maze. We used tacky craft glue, but white school glue would work as well.
3.Creating the maze requires some planning, as kids will have to decide where the start and end of their maze is.
Notes
Using a variety of sizes of straws makes the maze interesting!
You may wish to have kids design their maze on a piece of paper first. It will be fun to see their project come to life!
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