Comment by kleinishere
2 days ago
Encountered these miniature wood marble runs in Switzerland. Still on my “wish list.” Sounds like you may enjoy them, too.
2 days ago
Encountered these miniature wood marble runs in Switzerland. Still on my “wish list.” Sounds like you may enjoy them, too.
Those look super cool, but I'm also not sure I'd be ready to throw down $340 for the 50 piece starter set.
If you are okay with plastic, Gravitrax is similar, cheaper, and fun. My son and I like to build marble runs together.
I bought the magnatile-knockoff-version essentially and while not as pure montessori as the wooden blocks, they're 1/10th the price and my 4-year-old is _loving_ this kit: https://amzn.to/3MVXRXg
Wood's expensive these days. It's probably costing close to a ton just for the nice beech they're made of.
Beech is the cheapest of the common European hardwoods. Even through a distributor it’s only about 1400-1700 € per cubic meter in 5cm / 2” planks. For context, the cheapest construction lumber is about 300-800, oak 2500, american walnut 4000.
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Sticking to the magnetile theme of the OP, my kids and I have spent the most time and most occasions playing with the mangetile marble run kits. It works so well.
That gets you into the marble run world... which is segment of YouTube... and there are some very impressive setups.
https://youtu.be/qGsD19P16rs
As an aside, there's an app out there is an app for the iPad called "Cuboro Riddles" which is a "how do you make the marble go from here to there using the blocks." Given that there are multiple ways that a block can channel a marble, this is a tricky one.
... and then if you get this over into the lego domain (not as "just something to fiddle with..." it gets you into the GBC. There is a standard for how one connects to another described at https://www.greatballcontraption.com/wiki/standard ... and then at lego conventions people hook them all up. https://youtu.be/avyh-36jEqA
Very cool. I live in the US though. How can I order it?
Looks like their site links to a good number of US stores that sell them, many mom/pop. While there may not be a store close enough to you, perhaps there's one that would ship to you.
https://a.co/d/24vvgsO
Support mom/pop/local shops when possible.
https://cuboro.ch/en/where-to-buy/
Thank you.