HABA Ball Track Starter Set - 44 Piece Wooden Marble Run for Beginner to Expert Architects Ages 3 to 10 (Made in Germany)

We bought this for my son for his 5th birthday 2 weeks ago. I have been researching marble runs for over a year for him. Last Christmas I bought him the well rated Frigits Deluxe and a large magnetic whiteboard for his room. Although fun, he was quite disappointed. My 7 year old has the Quadrilla twist and rail set with many accessory and fun sets that he has collected over the past 3 years. My younger son instantly knew his plastic set was inferior. After Christmas I began searching for a marble set comparable to the Quadrilla for my younger son. I wanted something my boys could use together, but that was clearly identifiable without requiring me to label every piece. Locally nothing similar was available. Online I looked at many sets, most of them European. I decided on this set after pricing and checking out available add-on pieces and reading the reviews. There is a video on youtube that interchanged parts from the Haba and Quadrilla sets for those interested.This set requires less thought and coordination than the Quadrilla The force for the marbles is created with sloping runs, and the blocks are used as supports (Quadrilla has flat run pieces with specialized end pieces differentiated by color, in addition to small red accelerators that set on the track). Haba pieces are just pushed next to each other. (Quadrilla has Plastic circle shaped lips on their runs that fit into the blocks) The highlight of this particular set is the bell/arch piece. It's string length is easily adjustable. Although the pieces are simple (many are just plain blocks) the set is well made and fun. There is a "guide book" showing kids ideas of what to do with the set, even incorporating cups, stools, books, and other standard household items. (The Quadrilla set never suggests using non Quadrilla pieces nor would it be as easy to do with their connecting system) However, the booklet is in German (Fortunately, my husband knows some German and my MIL is fluent) The pictures do give the general idea even if you're unable to translate. I would recommend purchasing a few additional marbles for this set as 6 are not enough, especially when more than one child is playing with this set. The marbles that arrive with this set are a little smaller than the Quadrilla or average "dollar store" marbles, but the standard size marbles do work with this set. Overall, this has been lots of fun for my younger son who now has a marble run that his brother wants to play with. He is looking forward to the arrival of the ski-jump which he bought with his birthday money.

Santa just brought this for my 6 yr old son this past Christmas. At first my son was not too excited about it -- but when I reminded him of the ball track in one of his 'I SPY' books he became somewhat interested. It was not until we laid it out and starting working with it did he really get into it. As one of the reviewers noted - if you move the pieces by just a hair -- it makes the marble run off the track incorrectly. But quite honestly that's what I love about this. It makes him fine tune what he's made. It has definitely helped with his patience. If it doesn't first work - we try, try again. We don't quit and give up. We have to check and double check the track as we're making it. So instead of waiting until the end to test the track -- we test it throughout the process. We usually start out making one of the designs but by the end we end up creating our own ending.Our 7 yr old neighbor came over today to play. I suggested they play with the marble run vs watch TV. The 7 yr old balked and I said -- just wait and see. So my son and I got out all of the pieces and started assembling it together. Okay, so as of right now the 7 yr old will not STOP playing with it. He has already searched some other pieces that we could get to go along with this and is loving it!They have had to figure out how to take turns, how to make the pieces all work together, and see if they can create anything on their own.I also love playing with this as well. So I don't mind helping them get it started. There is a definite sense of accomplishment when you can get the marble to run the track, hit the bell and end up where you've planned for it to land. I LOVE THIS TOY!!!I plan on keeping this toy for when I have grandchildren. It is made very well and built to last (much nicer than the plastic marble runs from china, imo). My only negative is that my son just drew in black ink all over one of the pieces. Oh well. Ours now has a funky look!Have fun!!!

Bought this for my four year old daughter but sometimes I think I'm having more fun with this than she is. She likes this but needs help to assemble as the blocks are not very stable. The build quality is excellent and I'm sure it will last a long time.

He can build random piles and short runs using these high quality, well made blocks, but at age 4.5 he needs Dad to set up the full marble run so it works. The marbles do not run perfectly in the tracks, due to no fault of this toy. Rather, some thinking, curiosity, analysis and inventiveness is required to get them to run right. And that, my friends, is exactly what a good toy should inspire!!! By age 6 or 7 he'll get it by himself. Recommended highly

Editing to say we enjoy this toy so much, especially now that the littlest one is 2 1/2 and we don't have to worry about him swallowing marbles. Mostly he uses these as building blocks, making roadways, towers, and parking garages.Now our five year old enjoys building the ball track. This is such a high quality toy. I would say this would be best for 6 and up, or younger with lots of adult participation. The wooden pieces are so nice and sturdy, they are very nice to hold and can be put together in infinte ways. This toy will help your child learn in a concrete way about physics, building, patience, motor skills, and so much more. I wish we had only such simple, sturdy, educational playthings in our home. Definitely an outstanding toy that will last for years and years.