GaltToys, Mega Marble Run, Construction Toy, Ages 4 Years Plus

I would call this "Lego for marbles".A big box, with of separate colourful and robust pieces, which can be put together in endless ways to create sturdy, yet intricate contraptions for rolling marbles.The marbles roll smoothly, without sticking. They also make some interesting and entertaining noises - banging, clattering, bouncing, whirling. If you build a full and varied run, then release several marbles in quick succession with everything moving at once (wheels turning, lots of noise - bouncing, clattering, whirling), the whole thing can look quite interesting, almost spectacular.There are no instructions or "suggested patterns" - it's a case of simply opening the box and getting on with it, and to be honest, that isn't really an issue - it's fun to work it out. There is a photo of a completed marble run on the front cover of the box, however I think that is more of a suggestion than a definite promise of what you can build, because some of the "key" pieces in the box were a different colour from the photo.A few marbles are provided to start you off, and we discovered that the "standard" smaller marbles also work perfectly well.Finally, as with Lego, it can be broken up and rebuilt at any time - ideal for children with an appetite for destruction.

This marble run is one of our favourite toys and is providing hours and hours of fun for the entire family. We first got the Galt Super Marble Run to our son when he was 2 years 9 months, and now gave him this new bigger set for his fourth birthday, to combine the two. At first he and his big sister were watching us build the run and only plopped in the marbles under supervision, now they are building more and more complicated runs by themselves. It is fun for adults and teenagers, too, especially if one wants to rise to the challenge of assembling all pieces into several continuous and intermingling pathways.The pieces are made of good quality plastic and fit together snugly, resulting in a sturdy construction, while both assembly and disassembly are easy even for children. The primary colours of the pieces are pleasing to the eyes and timeless. The special pieces are also really well designed and fun. My only gripe (not really) is the photo on the box: It shows a construction that has several unsupported columns and is quite unstable, and for some reason my son currently always wants us to build the run "as it is supposed to be" - let's hope this is just a phase :-).

This has been in use a couple of days now and has proved a great hit with all. Instantly entertaining to kids and great for adults to interact with too, this set has many advantages. Unlike cheaper versions this branded item is well constructed and has a solid thick feel (any balance issues are down to skill as an architect, if you build something too tall without supports it will wobble). The real marbles included have a satisfying weight and there are plenty of them, they are just regular marbles so you will have no issues replacing any that you lose.It kept 3 children occupied (5, 2 3/4 and 2 1/2 - keep marbles away from very young children), each having their own pieces and constructing their own marble runs - you don't have to make 1 big joined up effort! Of course daddies construction, left as a surprise for the next morning also went down well (you can have several starting places for the marbles to allow for many hands to pile them in.The amount of pieces in the Mega marble run are more than enough, if not too much, you should not need a larger version than this.Nice to add would be another piece which alternates the marbles routes and the tri-pieces pictured over the circular swirling pieces don't seem to fit (you get to legs locked in but forcing the third in makes it come out again) - still this seems to be decorative only and a minor quibble.If you are considering one of the cheaper alternatives check the reviews for cheap feeling, plastic marbles and inability to use real ones - stick with this one and you will have no such issues and hours of entertainment.

This product is amazing, it keeps my 3 year old entertained for ages. She will sit and watch the marbles go down for long period of time. My only issue with the product is that it comes with 3 round sections which have little holes round the edge to sit a 3-pronged section on top, but they don't actually sit in the holes which are meant to hold them in place meaning they have to be precariously balanced on top. Best to be used on a hard surface though as my 3 year old tends to lean on it now and again and when on carpet, it will just collapse.

Really happy with this toy, keeps adults and toddlers engaged for long periods of time. Plenty of pieces in this mega set, to make large runs if you want. The circular pieces which send the marbles swirling round and round, are particularly good. In the box you are given 4 photos of different runs, from simple to very complicated, and you can copy these if you choose. Once you get the hang of what you are doing, you can then proceed to improvise and come up with your own designs. The pieces are good quality, sturdy plastic. Your constructions will readily collapse if you knock them by accident, of if like us you have a curious baby crawling in the vicinity, but i have not found this to be a problem, as part if the fun is building and re-building it and changing the layout. If it was just one permanent moulded piece of plastic which never changed, i think it would get boring, but making bigger and better runs is part of the enjoyment.

Good quality and easy to use, my son (and the rest of us!) has been playing with this since he turned 4. He loves building his own (admittedly simple) designs, and likes me to build the really complex ones in the instructions. Would definitely recommend this toy - great value for money.