How to Make a Block Move Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 12th type of maze construction is the Block Move maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every how-to will use a simple square so you can compare the differences between each maze construction type. I will also show a consolidated secondary how-to using an irregular shape (the state of Ohio).

Here is an outline for this blog post with jump links if you want to skip ahead to a section:

BLOCK MOVE MAZE DEFINITION

HOW TO MAKE A BLOCK MOVE MAZE

HOW TO MAKE A BLOCK MOVE MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

BLOCK MOVE MAZE EXAMPLES

FREE BLOCK MOVE MAZES TO SOLVE

BLOCK MOVE MAZE DEFINITION

Block Move Maze - A maze design that is in the form of a puzzle where the solver needs to create a complete pathway in X number of moves to reach the goal and solve the maze.

How to Make a Block Move Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Outline/Grid

The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. For a block maze it will almost always be a square or rectangle, but it can be anything that a block fits in. I used a simple 10x10 grid for this example.

How to make a block move maze step 1.png

Step 2 - Add the Start and Goal

Choose the Start and Goal - I used S and G. They should always be highlighted blocks and should be far apart - ideally in corners.

How to make a block move maze step 2.png

Step 3 - Add Maze Directions

Tell the solver how the maze is solved since it is not intuitive. I did not fill in the # of moves available since this not known yet !

How to make a block move maze step 3

Step 4 - Start Filling Blocks

Begin filling blocks with a neutral color. The filled blocks will create the possible pathways for the solver to use. Leave gaps in the pathway with adjacent blocks that can be shifted into them to allow possible solutions.

How to make a block move maze step 4

And continue filling in more blocks, catering to the path you might want the solver to take.

How to make a block move maze step 5

Step 5 - Complete the Block Move Maze

Finish adding blocks until you have made a solution you like. Check that alternative paths do not work and adjust blocks as needed. Finish the directions to explain how to solve the puzzle. I only allow movement in the 4 main directions, since the possibilities of possible solves go up exponentially when diagonal moves are allowed. Also, give the # of moves that the block move maze must be solved in, in this case 6.

How to make a block move maze step 6.png

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. While this is optional for some constructions of mazes, the difficulty of drawing and solving a Block Move maze means that providing a solution is essential. Some paths can be made by moving multiple blocks to the same space.

How to make a block move maze step 7.png

HOW TO MAKE A BLOCK MOVE MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

Step 2 - Draw the Grid - A grid in this case inside the shape of Ohio

Step 3 - Create the Start and Goal Blocks

Step 4 - Fill Blocks - You might also start with the solution pathway you want. then fill in more blocks around them.

Step 5 - Complete the Block Move Maze

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution - Each move in my example is highlighted with a different color. Some paths can be made by moving multiple blocks to the same space and are noted by multiple arrows of the same color. This is also a time when you can change any blocks if you choose. Do you want to keep moves that have 3+ blocks that can work ? (your option).

BLOCK MOVE MAZE EXAMPLES

Here are two examples of Block mazes in a more typical square shape. The first is for Kids with only 3 shifts needed to solve the maze, while the second requiring 5 moves is only slightly more complex.

6x6 block move maze example
14 x14 block move maze

FREE BLOCK MOVE MAZES TO SOLVE

If you want to see more examples, or just practice solving some block move mazes, I made a booklet of them that is available for free download in the book section of the site. The book contains 20 mazes in total !

Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.

How to Make an Objects Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 11th type of maze construction is the Objects maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every how-to will use a simple square so you can compare the differences between each maze construction type. I will also show a consolidated secondary how-to using an irregular shape (the state of Ohio).

Here is an outline for this blog post with jump links if you want to skip ahead to a section:

OBJECTS MAZE DEFINITION

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN

HOW TO MAKE AN OBJECTS MAZE

HOW TO MAKE A OBJECTS MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

ADDITIONAL OBJECT MAZE EXAMPLES

FREE OBJECT MAZE BOOKS

OBJECTS MAZE DEFINITION

Objects Maze - Really an “Objects as Walls Maze.” Walls are created by adding objects to avoid almost like barriers. Objects can be anything that isn’t the traditional maze wall line. The object used will typically reflect the subject matter of the maze.

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN:

These 5 rules apply to any maze you make so we start with them !

1. Always keep an open pathway for the solution

While drawing a maze you will need to juggle multiple open pathways each of which could become the solution. One of them will become the solution. Keep track of it. This is especially important if you are designing pathways in both directions (from the start and from the goal).

2. Clearly mark the start and goal, or the objective of the maze

A maze should have a start and a goal that you can assess just by glancing at it. There are many ways to start and end a maze I review in this blog post: Options for Starting and Ending a Maze

3. Ensure the difficulty matches the intended audience

Most people want to solve a puzzle/maze that is just slightly below or slightly above their skill level. Many things help determine the difficulty of a maze. Size, number of branches, the length of dead ends, the number of choices, the complexity of the rules (if the maze has them).

4. Ensure your maze has a solution

When your maze is complete, solve it to determine the difficulty level and to ensure it is a real, solvable maze. Depending on the complexity of the maze you may want to do this right away or wait so you can properly assess the difficulty.

5. Explain anything that needs explaining

Some mazes have rules or conditions. Explain them with directions. If it isn't obvious, make it so.

How to Make an Objects Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. It can be anything from a simple shape like a square, to a complex picture. The outline should be thicker than the internal lines to give the maze definition. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose a simple square.

How to make an objects maze step 1

Step 2 - Start Filling the Maze with Objects

I decided to fill the box with bubbles. I drew 4 sizes near the start, then selected the largest one and randomly placed it around the structure.

How to make an objects maze step 3.png

Step 3 - Add More Objects

Continue adding more bubbles (or your selected object). Here I did a medium bubble.

How to make an objects maze step 4

And then a smaller bubble.

How to make an objects maze step 5.png

And the smallest bubble was next. I have not created walls/pathways yet, but things are forming.

Step 4 - Draw the Solution

Now that the objects have given the maze some form, draw the solution you want. This will guide where you place the final objects to create walls and pathways for the maze.

How to make an objects maze step 7

Step 5 - Complete the Maze Walls

Object mazes are some of the most difficult to make as they are made from so many individual parts. Creating the example took a significant amount of time. I completed the walls and deleted the guide to make this final maze version !

How to make an objects maze step 8.png

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution

If we are being honest this is step 5, then you delete it to get the final maze in step 6.

How to make an objects maze step 9.png

HOW TO MAKE A OBJECTS MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

Step 2 - Start Filling the Maze with Objects - With the theme you have chosen, begin filling the outline with objects. For my Ohio example I decided to start with the major city names. This is where you can get very creative in your design.

Step 3 - Add More Objects

Step 4 - Make Maze Walls with Objects - Because the objects in this example are words there are a lot of gaps to close. I used the letter O as you can see in Northeast Ohio.

Step 5 - Complete the Maze Walls

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution - Because there were so many gaps to close I left some open intentionally so you could go on either side of a letter, but I also found an additional possible solution (in blue).

ADDITIONAL OBJECT MAZE EXAMPLES

Here are two additional examples of Objects mazes. The left uses boxes to create pathways (a box of boxes), while the maze on the right uses balls or circles as the objects.

Square maze filled with boxes
Square maze filled with balls

For my third example I wanted to show how this maze type can be made more complex, just by adding additional boxes to this Box maze.

Large Square maze filled with boxes

Here are 3 variations that are standard mazes that were made using objects. This was part of an experiment I did where I made one maze in many styles. Object mazes are usually more randomly placed, but they can be structured:

FREE OBJECT MAZE BOOKS

I have 2 free downloadable books that feature a bunch of object mazes. The Box Maze Booklet, Volume 1 &2. 60 total mazes. Find them in the free book section of the site.

 

Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.

Weekly Hard Maze #33

Each Saturday I post a new hard maze with all of them sitting in the Hard Maze Archive. I will try to post a variety of maze types to keep things interesting.

Weekly Hard Maze #33 - Large Arrow Maze

Solution will be in the archive. Download is below.

If you need directions click here.

If you solved that maze quickly and want to try some of my archival hard mazes, these posts should do the trick:

The Strongest Man in the World (1975) Movie Review

The Strongest Man in the World (1975) IMDB

The Strongest Man in the World (1975) movie poster.png

When I get a streaming service I tend to go pretty deep into the movie catalog. It is a great way to find hidden gems and that is how I found this maze movie.

The movie is a typical 60-70’s Disney movie, revolving around an accident in a food laboratory that creates a cereal that gives the eater super strength. This leads to some corporate espionage (something that really does go on by the way) as a rival tries to steal or sabotage the formula. The movie has typical G rated comedy and over the top facial expressions from the actors. It also features a very young looking Kurt Russell in the lead role. You also get Cesar Romero with much less make-up than in his famous role and Dick Van Patten. During the testing of the formulas we get a section of the movie focused on a variety of animals solving mazes in a laboratory !

This is the type of movie you watch and if you leave the room you don’t pause it, but it is just entertaining enough to not turn off. I give it a 5.8/10. I did not find a trailer, but here is a clip to give you an idea about the movie:

Additional posts and sections you may like:

What I've Learned Making Mazes

The 10 worst maze movies to avoid ?