marble

Glass marbles Children playing the game 'kancha' near Shambhunath Temple, Nepal

A marble is a small spherical object often made from glass, clay, steel, plastic, or agate. These toys can be used for a variety of games called marbles, as well being placed in marble runs or races, or created as a form of art. Sizes may vary, but usually range from about 0.5 to 3.5 cm (0.2 to 1.4 in) in diameter. They are often collected, both for nostalgia and for their aesthetic colors. In northern England, the game and objects are called "taws", with larger marbles being called "bottle washers", named after the use of a marble in Codd-neck bottles.