This is a fun game to challenge your family and friends with. It produces a great game to play when you're stuck in quarantine! It is inspired by Timothee Gillier's marble labyrinth design. https://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-Marble-Labyrinth/

Supplies

The materials you will need:

cardboard
glue (quick dry or hot glue works well)
paint (I used spray paint but any will do)
black marker
paper

Recommended tools:

Cutting tool (sharp blade knife, scissors, paper cutter etc.)
.75-1 inch drill
ruler
straight edged object
pencils

Step 1: Base

First thing you will need to do is trace out two 12 inch by twelve inch squares onto your cardboard. I found it easier to measure one, cut it out, and trace the second square. It will make more even cuts that are quicker. Also, I used a wooden piece as a straight edge while cutting to keep my lines crisp.

Step 2: Walls

Cut out four 12.25" by 2.5" pieces and four 11.75" by .75" rectangles.

Step 3: Base Interior Walls and Marble Catcher

Now you will need to cut out four 1.25" by 11.75" rectangles for the for the interior supports of the maze. Then you will cut out four 0.75" by 11.75" rectangles for the exterior edges of the marble catcher. I traced them all out first and then cut them all at once.

Step 4: Laying Out the Maze

Next you should take one of your 12" by 12" squares and trace out the maze walls and the holes. There are many layout inspirations with an internet search! You can choose one path to the finish or many. Be creative!

Step 5: Cutting the Walls

For this you need to cut 0.75" by 12" rectangles for the walls. You can cut them before hand or as you go. What I found to be efficient is to cut out one, fit it too the walls and cut and label them and then when that runs out cut another 0.75" by 12" piece and repeat until all of the walls have been labeled.

Step 6: Holes/Obstacles

Now take your drill with the .75" to 1" drill bit and drill your holes in the cardboard. Be very careful while drilling especially near the edge. The cardboard will tear. Also I found if you drill over a small box there is more support and less mess.

Step 7: Walls

You want to start by gluing your 0.75" by 11.75" rectangles onto your maze. Make sure they are glued on top of the floor of the maze and not the outside, this is so it fits nicely into the marble catcher. Then take the pieces you labeled and glue them on in their desired spot. In the end it should look like the second photo.

Step 8: Marble Catcher Holes

You will now need to take one of the 2.25" by 12.25" rectangles and cut out a square on the bottom left corner big enough for your marble to easily fit through. Mine is about .75" by .75" in size. You will then take one of your 0.75" by 11.75" rectangles and trace and cut out the same size hole as the previous one.

Step 9: Marble Catcher Walls

Next, you will take the 2.25" by 12.25" rectangles and glue them on the outside of the second 12" by 12" square. As you are doing this take the 0.75" by 11.75" rectangles and glue the to the walls. These are used to support the top piece of the maze.

Step 10: Paint!

While the Marble Catcher is drying take the maze and paint it. While this is optional It will add flare to your project and you can add your own personal touch. I used spray paint but anything will do.

Step 11: Making the Marble Holder

First you will cut out a 2.5" by 2.5" square. Then for the walls cut two 2.75" by .75" rectangles and one 2.5" by .75" rectangle. You will glue these one the outside of your 2.5" by 2.5" square. You will then glue the holder to the Marble Catcher as shown.

Step 12: Start/Finish

Now that your paint is dry you can make the start and finish for your game. I took a sticky note and a sharpie to make the sign and then glued it on my maze. But, again be creative with it!

Step 13: Painting the Base

This is another optional step, but I painted my Marble Catcher to match the maze.

Step 14: Finish!

Now you can grab your marble and test it out.

Introduction: Easy Hand Marble Maze