Marbles are one of the oldest and most commonly used types of ‘toys’ since ancient times. Practice shows that they have been used for games since the ancient Egyptians and Romans, and the most commonly used materials for creating these balls were marble itself and clay. Nowadays, these small, appealing and useful balls are mainly made from glass, however, you can also find them made from polymer clay as well.
What’s the Difference Between Glass and Polymer Clay Marbles?
The modern types of glass marbles are durable, affordable and appealing balls available in a selection of types, styles and colours. Usually, they are sold in a set of different sizes, giving you the chance to have a say in the style and colour you want. Keep in mind that different sets coming from different manufacturers can differ in appearance, type, colour and number of balls, so make sure to pay more attention to this to make the right choice.
Polymer clay balls, on the other hand, are less durable because they are softer and the constant tossing and hitting something can contribute to their wear over time. When comparing both of these balls, it seems that the glass marbles are sturdier and more long-lasting. Even though the clay ones seem lighter, practice shows that users prefer the use of the glass alternative because of their weight and feeling of sturdiness when holding them in hand.
Plus, they also prefer the fact that the glass balls move better and are more secure when playing with them in comparison to the clay ones. Even though some manufacturers make polymer clay balls with a glass core, still they aren’t as durable and long-lasting as the glass ones. When having difficulties when shopping for the right marble toys, and the material isn’t clearly indicated, you should do a simple test to check whether they’re made from glass or clay – just click them together.
If they make a distinct crisp clicking sound, then you can be sure that they are made from glass. Polymer clay balls are softer, and they make a soft and muted sound. You can also take a magnifying glass and check the balls with it. When looking at a polymer clay ball, you can basically see where the colours start to blend, which isn’t the case with glass. The colours in glass balls blend seamlessly, plus the transparent part of the glass balls allows you to see through them, which isn’t the case with polymer clay.
What Is the Use of Glass Marbles?
These balls are mainly used for playing games, but also for decorative purposes at home. When used for games, it’s of vital importance to know that they aren’t recommended for smaller children in order to avoid the hazard of choking.
Just Play the Marble Game
This is the most basic game that has been played for years. In order to play it, you will need a set of marble balls and a string to create a bigger circle. Each payer should take the biggest marbles and try to kick out as many marbles out of the circle as possible.
Marble Container Toss
This game is ideal for playing with kids as it’s both competitive and fun. All you need to do is arrange plastic containers or cardboard boxes on the floor, get your marbles and see who can toss the most inside the containers.
Balance Game
For this game, you will need play-dough with which you can create the base and golf tees on which you can place the balls. To place them, you will need to control your muscles and hands, which is great for children as it helps them develop their fine motor skills.
Bullseye Game
This game is similar to the classic game with these balls, just with a little twist. To add the twist, you’ll need a tape/string or chalk to outline 3 rings with a bullseye at the centre, so that each player can take turns and shoot the balls with their thumb in order to get closer to the target. If they’re lucky, they can hit the bullseye.
Guessing Game
This old game is surely fun when played with children. For it, you’ll need to fill a large bottle or container with marbles and start the game. Ask all players to guess how many marbles are inside, write down their answers and start counting. The one closest to the number of balls gets the ‘prize’. Prepare for some interesting changes in events where children start to change their answers in order to win the prize. To make the game last longer, you can use different coloured or sized marbles and let them guess how many there are of one particular colour.
Sticky Marble Game
This is a super simple and easy-to-play game designed for children and adults of all ages. For it, you will need a double-sided tape and place it across a table. Each player should stand at the opposite side of the table while rolling the balls towards the tape and try to ‘catch’ as many balls as possible. The one who has the most balls stuck on the tape in 1 minute is the winner.