Marble clockwork sculpture for 11-year-olds
This project is for 11-year-olds interested in moving machines and sculpture. It uses large ping-pong balls rather than marbles for easier, safer testing.
What to buy
Foam board sheets
2
Corrugated cardboard sheets
3
Large cardboard tubes
3
Wooden dowels
3
Jumbo craft sticks
20
Round-head paper fasteners
20
Rubber bands
10
Ping-pong balls
4
Masking tape
1 roll
Tacky glue
1 bottle
Cardboard gear templates
1 set
Ruler
1
Pencil
1
Scissors
1 pair
Who this list is for
For 11-year-olds interested in moving machines, this sculpture project uses ping-pong balls rather than marbles for easier testing. The build combines ramps, gears, supports, rubber bands, and simple moving parts.
How to use this list
Sketch the route on cardboard or paper first with the ruler and pencil. Use foam board sheets and corrugated cardboard sheets for the base, then add channels from large cardboard tubes. Build supports with wooden dowels and jumbo craft sticks. Use cardboard gear templates, round-head paper fasteners, and rubber bands for moving features. Test each ping-pong ball path before taping and gluing sections permanently.
Common mistakes
Do not build every ramp at once; test the ball movement in short sections. Avoid steep drops that send ping-pong balls out of the sculpture. Keep paper fasteners loose enough for gears to turn, and allow tacky glue to dry before a longer test.
What is on this list
The list includes two foam board sheets, three corrugated cardboard sheets, three large cardboard tubes, three wooden dowels, and 20 jumbo craft sticks. It also has 20 round-head paper fasteners, 10 rubber bands, four ping-pong balls, masking tape, tacky glue, cardboard gear templates, ruler, pencil, and scissors. Cross off supplies you already have.
When you are done
Run the full course several times and note any section that needs resetting. Remove loose tape scraps, store extra ping-pong balls together, and keep the sculpture on a flat surface.
FAQ
Who is "Marble clockwork sculpture for 11-year-olds" for?
For 11-year-olds interested in moving machines, this sculpture project uses ping-pong balls rather than marbles for easier testing. The build combines ramps, gears, supports, rubber bands, and simple moving parts.
How should I use "Marble clockwork sculpture for 11-year-olds"?
Sketch the route on cardboard or paper first with the ruler and pencil. Use foam board sheets and corrugated cardboard sheets for the base, then add channels from large cardboard tubes. Build supports with wooden dowels and jumbo craft sticks. Use cardboard gear templates, round-head paper fasteners, and rubber bands for moving features. Test each ping-pong…
What should I skip or avoid with "Marble clockwork sculpture for 11-year-olds"?
Do not build every ramp at once; test the ball movement in short sections. Avoid steep drops that send ping-pong balls out of the sculpture. Keep paper fasteners loose enough for gears to turn, and allow tacky glue to dry before a longer test.
What is on the "Marble clockwork sculpture for 11-year-olds" list?
The list includes two foam board sheets, three corrugated cardboard sheets, three large cardboard tubes, three wooden dowels, and 20 jumbo craft sticks. It also has 20 round-head paper fasteners, 10 rubber bands, four ping-pong balls, masking tape, tacky glue, cardboard gear templates, ruler, pencil, and scissors. Cross off supplies you already have.
What should I do when I am done?
Run the full course several times and note any section that needs resetting. Remove loose tape scraps, store extra ping-pong balls together, and keep the sculpture on a flat surface.
Related lists
For general planning only. Valedo does not guarantee this list’s accuracy, completeness, or suitability. Verify information before relying on it. Not a substitute for professional advice or safety training.