Let’s make a marble maze out of a paper plate. This simple craft is fun with younger kids because it becomes a toy and is great for older kids who can plan out the marble’s path and then make it happen with paper straws.

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 rainy days, lazy afternoons, or a quick STEM activity for school.

On a paper plate is a marble maze made out of cut up straws. It is easy to make and fun to play! — Make your paper plate maze easy or hard!

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!

How to Make a Paper Plate Marble Maze

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!

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A paper plate, a pair of scissors, and some straws sit out on a blue background, ready to make a marble maze. — Gather your supplies!

Supplies Needed to Make a Paper Plate Maze

The scissors have been used to cut the straws into pieces. Tacky glue is now being used to attach the pieces of straw to the paper plate. — Use Tacky glue to add the straws to the paper plate. Leave space in between straws for the marble to pass through the maze.

Instructions for Making Paper Plate Maze Craft

After gathering supplies…

Step 1

invite kids to cut the straws into shorter pieces with scissors. Using a variety of sizes makes the maze interesting!

Step 2

Next, show kids how to glue the straws to the paper plate to create a maze.

We used tacky craft glue, but white school glue would work as well.

Paper Plate Craft Tip: Creating the maze requires some planning, as kids will have to decide where the start and end of their maze is.

Maze Planning Ideas

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!
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!

A marble moves through the maze of straws on the paper plate, from start to end. — 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!

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!

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:

Make a paper plate bunny craft
Make a paper plate snail craft
Make a paper plate pinata craft
Make a paper plate bird nest craft
Make a paper plate bird craft
Make a paper plate rainbow craft
Make a paper plate dream catcher craft
Make a paper plate Truffula Tree craft
Make a paper plate lamb craft
Make a paper plate shark craft
Make a paper plate bat craft
Make a paper plate goldfish craft
Make a paper plate suncatcher craft
Make a paper plate apple craft
Make a paper plate strawberry craft
Make a paper plate lion craft
Check out a lot of paper plate animals

How did your paper plate maze turn out?

How to Make a Simple Paper Plate Marble Maze