"Floating" Tunnels and Tracks (marble run)

After a failed attempt at an indoor playground because - "Mommy, Im ready to go home.  This place is too crowded", and about 20 minutes of dripping sweat at a nearby outdoor park, we decided to spend the afternoon (mostly) indoors.  In an attempt to follow my son's interest, I took advantage of this indoor play time to set up a suspended tunnel and track with my son.  He played an active role in cutting the fishing line, cutting slits in the noodle, and placing the tunnel and track into position.

This was a HUGE hit.  He kept telling me, "I cant wait to show Daddy this tomorrow.  It's so cool."  :)

Here is what we used:

• A pool noodle
• A cardboard corner piece that came in a package - but you can also use a rain gutter or cut a noodle in half for a track
• Fishing line
• Wall Hooks
• Marbles

We cut shallow slits in the noodle to slide the fishing line into - it holds better this way.  You just have to play with the length of the fishing line until its something that works for you and your track.  I just doubled the line over and hung the tunnel and track inside the loops.  We put the hooks on the ceiling to hang it.

These are the hooks we used.
(Home Depot, Walmart, Target, etc)

The marble runs through the noodle and pops out....landing on the tack and running down into the container.

- AK (MESE, MECD)