Marbles can used in fun learning activities for preschool and kindergarten. Explore science, art and sensory play with these easy marble game ideas.  

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Many of us enjoyed playing games with marbles as kids. Turns out the excitement never gets old!

Now we can share the fun with our preschoolers. This roundup of marble activities has lots of options for everyday play, at home or in the classroom.

Marbles are durable - and plentiful! - and have wonderful colors and texture. Early learning skills are supported with sensory, creative, cognitive, and language experiences.

Of course, like any games with small parts, marble activities require adult supervision. Kids and grownups will enjoy the play time together.

The activities in this list encourage child-led participation, with no expected outcomes. Grownups can guide the play as kids get hands-on engaging with materials.

Fun activities with marbles

The play ideas in this roundup are sorted - loosely - by theme: Science, Sensory and art. These categories are just a guide, as the early learning skills engaged often overlap across each activity.

Choose something from the list for hands-on play and learning through the week.

• If marbles are not available, use any small game pieces or toys you have on hand.

1. Painting 

MARBLE RAINBOW - Paint with all the colors of the rainbow.  - Preschool Inspirations  

MAGNETS AND MARBLES - Move marbles through paint with a magnet. - Teaching Ideas 

MARBLE PAINTING - Roll marbles around in a plastic tub. - Gift of Curiosity 

APPLE TREE - Make an apple craft after painting with marbles. - The Educators Spin On It  

SPIDER WEB - Roll a marble through paint in a round pan. - Preschool Toolkit 

2. Science 

VISCOSITY EXPERIMENT - Observe  marbles in jars of different liquids. - Little Bins For Little Hands 

MODELING CLAY MARBLE MAZE - Roll a marble through a maze made with modeling clay. - Preschool Toolkit 

MARBLE RUN CARDBOARD BOX - Explore gravity as marbles criss cross down the marble run. - Red Ted Art

BALANCING GAME - Experiment with marbles and plastic tops. - Happy Toddler Playtime 

MARBLE RUN INCLINED PLANE - Roll marbles into small plastic cups. - Preschool Toolkit 

CORK MARBLE MAZE - Roll a marble through a maze made with corks. - Preschool Toolkit 

FRICTION EXPERIMENT - Observe the movement of a marble through different sensory bin fillers. -  Preschool Toolkit 

3. Sensory

FREEZER BAG ART - Squish marbles in paint inside a zippered bag. - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds 

MARBLES AND OOBLECK - Add marbles to homemade oobleck. - Mess For Less 

FLAT MARBLES - Use flat marbles in letter activities with printables. - PreKinders  

POP-IT ACTIVITY - Poke marbles in and out of a dinosaur pop-it toy. - A Little Pinch of Perfect 

PLAY DOUGH - Press marbles into play dough. - Mama Smiles 

Fun with marbles

Marbles are a great option for inviting kids to play and learn.

These play ideas will inspire other ways to play with marbles, like these simple suggestions.

• Include marbles in a sink-or-float activity. This requires minimal setup and inspires independent observation and discovery.
• Roll marbles through tunnels and over bridges on a play mat or play tray.
• Sort marbles by size and color.
• Shake marbles in a plastic container as an instrument.

Enjoy marble play today!