Marbles are an agelessly wonderful part of childhood. Our great grandparents played with them in their youth, but now, instead of flinging marbles in the dirt, there is a dizzying array of marble mazes available. VTech, who always has its finger on the pulse of toy trends, has created a genuinely dazzling toy in Marble Rush, which is unlike any other marble run out there. It’s a fantastic hybrid between traditional “tube” marble runs and overly complicated marble runs with small pieces that are sometimes nearly impossible to snap together. Though marble runs may just feel like “fun” to kids, parents know how beneficial they can be to a child’s development, and this one is no exception. Marble runs are so great for encouraging creativity and improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They are also great for improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. What sets this apart from others in the category is that the pieces are larger and fit together more like Lego blocks. There are base pieces that help keep the entire run nice and stable, and then there are loads of other parts included to help your child build truly incredible tracks. In addition to standard tubes, runs, and ramps, there are also fun pieces like launchers and funnels. There’s even a Ferris Wheel! All of the pieces snap together and come apart very effortlessly, so children will not have a problem with that at all. The instruction manual includes a few sample builds, and they are color-coded, clearly showing what pieces need to go where. Beyond that, the building possibilities with this set are endless! The VTech Marble Rush will provide hours of fun and will grow with your child as they get older and start creating their own designs.