How to Race Mazes - Rules, and ideas for Maze competitions

Mazes are usually a solitary pursuit. But if you are a competitive person I have some ideas for you that will make your maze solving competitive - Maze Races ! Simply put, a maze race is a race between multiple people to see who can solve the maze the fastest. Let’s look at how a maze race works.

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

HOW TO HAVE A MAZE RACE

How to Have a Maze Team Waterfall Race

Some additional ideas to make the races even more competitive

Kids vs. Adults Maze Races

Introducing : My Newly Designed 2 person Maze race competition mazes

Single person Maze races

FREE MAZE RACES BOOK

HOW TO HAVE A MAZE RACE

  1. Select a maze - Ideally this will be an easy to medium difficulty maze, but more than anything the maze difficulty level should match the solvers ability. A difficult maze will take too long to complete and tension and speed will wane as the time passes. You want the maze used to be able to be solved quickly to add some drama to the competition. I also suggest a black and white maze (or grey). I have found that a maze printed in color being solved with a pencil can be problematic. Really it depends on your printer, but if the color has a glossy finish it’s a problem.

  2. Print the maze - Although it is possible to race mazes digitally in theory, the best way to race is with printed mazes. Many online mazes are not able to be solved ‘on screen’ so paper solves this issue. Print as many mazes as there are racers.

  3. Follow these 6 maze race rules - Ideally you want steps 1 and 2 above to be done by a neutral party. This prevents a solver from giving the maze a glance and pre solving a portion of it beforehand.

    • Place the printed maze face down

    • Solvers flip the mazes over when start is called

    • Solve the mazes with a writing utensil

    • Mazes must be solved from start to finish (no backwards solving is permitted) This is an optional rule and with large groups may need to be suspended since each solve may not be able to be monitored.

    • Once the maze is completed sit down your writing instrument and say “solved”. But use what I call BINGO rules. The other competitors should keep solving just in case there is a mistake.

    • A neutral party checks the answer to confirm the winner.

How to Have a Maze Team Waterfall Race

A maze waterfall race is simply a race between two teams with an equal number of people. You use the same 6 rules as above except for rule #2. Instead of solvers flip the mazes over when start is called this becomes - the first solver flips over their maze when start is called. When they are done and say solved, only then can the next person on the team flip over and start their maze. This means only 1 person at a time is solving a maze on a team. If you want to make sure this is adhered to, give each team ONE writing utensil which must be passed from player to player as a maze is completed. Additional optional rule - no helping. You should use a different maze per slot on each team, because if you use the same maze for all competitors, once one solver on a team solves the maze, the temptation to see their work for clues is strong.

Some additional ideas to make the races even more competitive:

  1. Solve 3 different mazes - For a bigger challenge place 3 different mazes in front of the solvers (they may solve them in any order they choose). The winner is the first to complete all 3 mazes correctly. This is better for large groups that are maze racing. A large group racing only 1 maze will most likely have a very close finish.

  2. Solve 3 different maze types - Same as above but using 3 different types of maze constructions. I suggest one standard maze, a puzzle maze and an arrow maze. Each construction is solved in slightly different ways and presents a different challenge for the solvers.

Kids vs. Adults Maze Races

This can be fair by using different difficulty level mazes if you think the adult will win with equal mazes. Same thing for children of different ages. Feel free to tilt the scales a bit by using different mazes. This is not ideal but can still be fun for a group of mixed ages.

Introducing : My Newly Designed 2 person Maze race competition mazes

I think all of the options work well above, but if that is still not quite what you are looking for I have designed mazes specifically for 2 person Maze Races ! So far we have the prototype example below, but I hope to add new versions and a dedicated section of the website once I have made enough ! How does the 2 person race work ? Well I have designed a maze on half the page ending in the center. I then copy that exact same maze on the top of the page inverted also ending in the center. This makes a page where 2 people sitting across from one another can race the same maze on the same piece of paper at one time ! Both are trying to reach the same center goal from different directions. I have made these to be printed on letter size paper, but the larger the paper they are printed on the better.

Some tips: 1. Consider taping this down to a table. In the rush and excitement of solving the maze can easily be moved…people get upset. 2. If this IS done, cover the maze by putting another piece of paper over the maze before the start so neither person can “pre-solve”. 3. Decide beforehand if the non writing hand can be on the table. Some players tend to want to block what they are doing from the other player. I suggest NO blocking the other persons site.

2 person Racing Maze - rectangle

2 person Racing Maze

Single person Maze races

My attempt to make a maze race game for 1 person was the golf game mazes. How do these mazes work ? Well, like the game of golf your goal is to get the lowest score possible. The faster you solve a maze, the lower your score is. Each maze has a time and score printed on the page. In the example below, solving the maze in 30 seconds or under gets you a score of 3, etc.

timed golf hole themed maze

golf game maze hole#2

This particular golf game as you can see sets scores with a range of times. So someone solving in 33 seconds and another in 42 seconds would tie. However, this can of course be adjusted so the raw time determines the winner. The scorecard was set-up specifically for one person challenges. Scoring well on the example above is often a case of luck in some of your early path choices. This is because the wrong pathways purposely do not dead end for a longer time than normal. Try for yourself and you should notice that wrong turns are not as apparent in the maze quickly.

Additional Maze Competition Ideas

  1. Challenge yourself with any maze just by timing yourself to see how quickly you can solve it. Unfortunately, once you try to solve a maze, you’ll need to set it aside before trying to beat your score as the correct solution will come too easily. Time is also a useful way to compare solvers who complete a maze on different days. Obviously, online websites can compare all solvers by using a timer !

  2. Add some puzzles, math or word games into the race. I have a word puzzle book with 151 different word puzzles. While I mention missing maze types together for a competition, there is no reason you can’t mix in some real schoolwork. This gives a competition the added difficulty of using both speed, knowledge and accuracy to determine a winner.

Here is an example of what a 1 page sheet might look like for kids. Although any time you are making one for children it takes skill to line up the different subjects age appropriateness correctly. But if you are a teacher this should be much easier for you !

Maze racing one page example

FREE MAZE RACES BOOK

I made this book a few years ago and updated it recently. All the pages feature two of the same maze printed on opposite sides of the paper. I prefer just finding a maze that I like and printing it twice so each competitor has their own.

Maze Races Cover 2026

The maze racing book

32 pages, 31 Racing mazes

Age: All

File Size: 376 KB

Each racing maze is meant to be solved competitively by 2 people starting at the same time. These are mostly easy mazes with a few weaving mazes at the end a bit harder. Mazes are in black and white.

NEW 2026 EDITION

download book

I hope you have found an idea to make your mazes more fun and competitive ! Happy mazing !

Other posts that may interest you:

The Top 12 Maze Generation Websites

The Largest Arrow Maze in the world (probably)

The 12 Best Maze / Labyrinth Movies of All Time

11 Maze types that are really just Design Choices

I originally wrote over 40 different How to Make a Maze blog posts where I showed just what the title suggests - how to create 40+ different maze types. Recently I set out to update these with new information and better examples. That is when I realized I wanted to re-classify a few maze types into a new category:

Maze types that can apply to many maze constructions

Basically, rather than being a specific maze type, they have a specific thing about them that make them unique but could be applied to many maze types. This will become clearer with explanation. Here are the (former) blog posts this post replaces. You can also click on any link to jump to that section of this blog post.

I believe each of these maze choices apply to multiple types of mazes. I will go through each type below, one at a time with examples to prove this. I also an eliminating one maze type:

Which I discuss last in the blog that I believe no longer is a type of maze. I like to start all of my maze design posts with my 5 rules of maze design, then we’ll jump into each section.

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.

Depth Mazes

Depth Maze Definition:

Depth Maze - A maze that uses multiple colors to create a layered effect and give the maze depth. Can be used with any wide path maze style to give the maze more visual interest.

The key to this maze is making it look more interesting by giving it depth. However, this is an aesthetic choice that can be applied to many different kinds of mazes. Basically you create a maze in the style you prefer (standard, grid, arrow, etc.) then add depth to it by “shifting” the maze to create a background.

Depth Maze Examples: click to see larger versions of the examples in the gallery.

  • The first example is grid maze construction with multiple layers.

  • The second is a standard maze with a black layer above a green layer.

  • Our third example shows a standard maze of Ohio to show how it looks with irregular shapes. Black over burgundy.

  • Our final example shows an Arrow Maze with a layer to give it some shape. This example could stand in for any maze construction that uses grids - block move, color grid, letter mazes, number mazes, etc.

So, while a depth maze is a version of a maze, it is something that can be applied to many different types of mazes as an aesthetic choice. Here is an abbreviated “how to” for this type of maze:

  • Step 1 - Draw a Maze - this will become the background

  • Step 2 - Copy and Shift the maze - this will become the main maze, choose the color you prefer.

  • Alternate Step 2 - for solid mazes made of grids like the arrow maze above, you will need to draw the background layer.

When would you use this ? When you want to add visual interest to a maze. To make grid maze shapes easier to see (especially white mazes on white backgrounds).

 

3-D Looking Maze

3-D Looking Maze Definition:

3-D Looking Maze - A maze that uses layers and colors to create a 3-D look. Different than a Depth maze in that it uses multiple colors to create “shadows” for the different layered sides and it completes the corners.

This is a more detailed version of a depth maze that goes the extra mile to complete the 3-D look.

3-D Looking Examples: click to see larger versions of the examples. 4 different types of mazes.

So this is a depth maze that continues with some additional work to make it 3D looking. Here is an abbreviated “how to” for this type of maze:

  • Step 1 - Draw a Maze

  • Step 2 - Draw the 3D portion of the Maze

When would you use this ? When you want to add visual interest to a maze. To make grid maze shapes easier to see (especially white mazes on white backgrounds).

 

Dual Entrance/Exit Maze

Dual Entrance/Exit Maze Definition:

Dual Entrance/Exit Maze - A maze that can be solved moving in either direction. The start and the goal are interchangeable. The construction of the maze happens in two directions to prevent “backwards solving” or starting from the goal to help solve a maze.

This is just a way of making the maze harder to solve by making the start and goal interchangeable. It can be applied to many different types of mazes (standard, grid, arrow) etc.

Dual Entrance/Exit Maze Examples: click to see larger versions of the examples. 4 different types of mazes.

So, while a dual entrance/exit maze is a version of a maze, it is something that can be applied to many different types of mazes to make them more complicated. You can use double sided arrows, Start/Goal blocks, or question marks to denote this type of maze. Here is an abbreviated “how to” for this type of maze:

  • Step 1 - After creating the outline choose 2 locations that can be a start or goal.

  • Step 2 - Draw the maze paths from 2 directions while designing the maze.

  • Step 3 - Connect pathways from each direction to create the solution.

When would you use this ? When you want to add some complexity to the maze. Especially helpful when you want to stop “back solving”, or starting at the goal instead of the start to more easily solve a maze.

 

Object as Goal Maze

Object as Goal Maze Definition: A maze of any construction that has a goal of an object. The object can be within the maze or at the end of the maze.

So instead of reaching the word GOAL, or an out arrow, you reach an object that represents the same thing.

Object as Goal Maze Examples: We see a grid maze construction, standard maze, a Christmas themed Arrow Maze and a Line Leads maze. The Line leads maze is essentially always an object as goal type maze.

So, almost every type of maze can have this feature by replacing the goal/arrow with an object. And of course I am sure you noticed Santa is an object as Start example !! An object can live on either side of this equation ! Here is an abbreviated “how to” for this type of maze:

  • Step 1 - Create a maze

  • Step 2 - Make the goal an object

When would you use this ? This type of maze works especially well for themed mazes for holidays and events. Kids mazes often feature this to make them more interesting !

Free Book Download Available - I made a book of 30 easy kids mazes available in my free book section. Many of them use objects as goals.

 

Warp Zone Maze

Warp Zone Maze Definition:

Warp Zone Maze - A maze that contains warp zones that allow the solver to move across the maze with no regard to walls. Another construction difference from other mazes is that sections of the maze may be completely closed from entry without using the warp zones.

This is just a way of making the maze harder to solve by not allowing the solver to eyeball dead ends as easily, since the pathways are disjointed.

Warp Zone Maze Examples: click to see larger versions of the examples. We have a standard maze, an axonometric maze, an arrow maze and a standard maze int he shape of Ohio.

Notice that 3 of the examples have directions with the maze to explain how to use them. Incidentally, the arrow maze has instructions also, just on a separate page. The style of warps can be whatever makes sense in your design, but colors and shapes are most typical. Most types of mazes can use this type of addition to make them more interesting, and harder. Here is an abbreviated “how to” for the relevant steps in creating this type of maze:

  • Step 2 - While drawing the maze, incorporate warps into the pathway design.

  • Final Step - Explain how to use the warp zones.

When would you use this ? To add complexity and variety to mazes. This is not a typical thing you find so the novelty of it can be a nice change of pace for many people.

Free Book Download Available - I made a book of 40 warp zone mazes available in my free book section.

 

Mixed Section Maze

Mixed Section Maze Definition:

Mixed Section Maze - A maze that uses many different design constructions to separate different sections of the maze. This construction works well for objects that have many different parts.

This is an aesthetic choice above all else. Rarely is this used to add complexity.

Mixed Section Maze Examples: click to see larger versions of the examples. The Pancake Maze uses a standard maze for the pancakes and free drawn for the syrup. The chocolate cupcake does the same except for the cake and the icing. Both the Maze of Australia and Ohio use different maze types of designs for the different sections of the country/state.

Here is an abbreviated “how to” for the relevant steps in creating this type of maze:

  • Planning Step - Before drawing the maze, determine what styles you want to use on which section !

  • Step 2 - While drawing the maze, follow through on your best laid plans !

When would you use this ? Because the object you are making a maze of has different sections where different maze constructions would enhance that section. Because different styles will look good in different sections.

 

Go & Return Maze

Go & Return Maze Definition:

Go & Return Maze - A maze where the start and goal are the same and the solver must travel to a specified area in the maze (the internal goal) and then return back to the start to exit. Often this includes the condition that the solver use a new pathway back than the one taken while entering.

This is a choice that can add complexity to a maze, especially if a new pathway needs to be used to return back to the start/goal ! Another way to think about this is to think of the go location as a checkpoint in the maze.

Go & Return Maze Examples: Each of the first 2 mazes are standard mazes that use this construction choice. It is easy to imagine other constructions using this choice.

Here is an abbreviated “how to” for the relevant steps in creating this type of maze:

  • Step 2 - Choose a location internal in the maze to “go” to.

  • Step 3 - Design the maze (possibly in 2 directions at once), so the solver has 2 different pathways that reach the “go” point in the maze.

  • Final Step - Add directions to the maze so the solver understands what they need to do to solve it correctly.

When would you use this ? Simply for variety in a much larger book of mazes.

 

Racing Maze

Racing Maze Definition:

Racing Maze - A maze made specifically for racing between two people. The winner is the person that reaches the common goal first.

This is more about how a maze is used than what the maze looks like.

Racing Maze Examples: Honestly any maze can be a racing maze, but here are examples I made that include the same maze on one page where your opponent is across from you.

Later I realized that many people like to hover over a maze, so printing 2 mazes on one sheet can be a bad idea for the competition. Print the same maze on 2 separate sheets instead ! This also means the 2 person limit no longer needs to be adhered to. Multiple people can race at once ! I give ideas in my post: How to Race Mazes - Rules, and ideas for Maze competitions

Guidelines for a good racing maze:

  1. The competition consists of identical mazes, one printed for each competitor.

  2. The maze type should be able to be solved with a writing utensil (to prove the solve has been done). So a maze like an arrow maze would not work easily. Block Move and Warp mazes can also be problematic. If you take a wrong warp an eraser will be needed.

  3. Consider the difficulty you want for the maze. Something too difficult will lower the tension that a more speedy maze will create.

Free Book Download Available - I made a book of 31 racing mazes available in my free book section.

 

Mobile Maze

Mobile Maze Definition:

Mobile Maze - A maze designed specifically to be viewed and solved on a mobile device.

This is all about the shape of the maze. Any maze that can be made to look good on a phone is fair game, which is all of them I think.

Mobile Maze Examples: A nice variety of examples to check out using your phone.

Guidelines for a good mobile maze:

  1. Design the maze vertically using a 9:16 ratio or greater. The 9:16 ratio is the standard size for a mobile screen (you can read more about screen sizes below) . An easy way to think of this is that you want a maze about twice as high as the width. If you want a maze to be scrollable in order to be solved (this adds some difficulty !), try for a larger ratio like 1:4. What do I mean by that ? Well in a scrollable maze a dead end may be off the visible screen - in fact you might even design your maze with this in mind to make it more challenging !

  2. Make pathways that are WIDE. This is a vague but important design feature. I find that a bit of testing is needed to get this just right. If you design digitally it can easily be adjusted (and this is for mobile, so I assume that it is) in order to have a maze that can be solved easily. For Grid based mazes (Grid Maze, Color Grid Maze, Arrow Maze, Block Move, etc.) the widest # of blocks I would suggest using is 5.

MAZE DESIGN BASED ON SCREEN SIZE:

Computer screen monitors vary in their aspect ratio, but most since 2012 are 16:9 (1.78), although through time they have varied from 1.25 to 1.60. So, yes, you are not imagining things, computers are getting wider. Some of you might even remember when televisions were a 4:3 aspect ratio (1.33) before they became much wider.

Most smartphones also happen to be a 16:9 (in landscape mode or 9:16 in portrait mode) which is convenient when you use landscape mode to watch YouTube or other videos on your phone. But when you are not watching videos, your phone is in portrait mode for just about everything else you use it for. Tablets have large range of ratios with many 4:3 like an old tv and some 16:10. This makes them a bit wider so that books get formatted as a priority over videos (you are reading with your tablet and not watching movies right ?).

So, when I make a maze for this website I am always thinking about how it will look on a large screen and how it will print on a standard size piece of paper (8.5x11) which is a 1.29 ratio. The mazes still look fine on a cellphone screen, but are not entirely solvable in most cases without zooming in to see the pathways more clearly. This means a lot more difficulty in maneuvering to solve a maze.

So when you make a maze those are the screens you might be making them for. And in this case, Mobile mazes you want to design for a 9:16 screen !

Mobile Mazes Available - I made a section of 31 mobile mazes available in my free maze section.

 

Pod Maze

Pod Maze Definition:

Pod Maze - A Maze with separated sections, called pods, that must be traveled between to solve the maze. The ability to jump between pods is denoted by small arrows in the pathways.

This is all about making a portion of the maze invisible essentially. Instead of having long pathways you obsure portions of the maze with black sections to create pods.

Pod Maze Examples: The first 2 examples show a standard maze and a grid maze. Once I knew a grid would work, I knew the other gridded mazes would work also. The next 2 examples are to show the use of color and different shapes.

Here is an abbreviated “how to” for the relevant steps in creating this type of maze:

  • Step 1 - Draw the Background and Pods

  • Step 2 - While designing your maze, add arrows to each side when a pathway crosses between pods.

Otherwise, this is a relatively normal maze creation.

When would you use this ? For variety in a much larger book of mazes.

Free Book Download Available - I made a book of 32 pod mazes available in my free book section. I have a Spanish language version available also.

 

Free Drawn Mazes

Free Drawn Maze Definition:

Free Drawn Mazes - A maze where the walls are drawn by hand, or without a geometric structure.

I think this is all about the process more than the maze construction. You can make a standard maze by hand (free drawn). You can make a horizontal maze a vertical maze free drawn also, and so on. I think you can make many maze walls without using grids. I use free drawn walls when filling in oddly shaped mazes.

Free Drawn Maze Examples: Food and drink have irregular shapes. I went with a popped kernel maze, a garlic maze, a bacon maze and a crushed beer can. Each uses internal walls that are free drawn.

Here is an abbreviated “how to” for the relevant steps in creating this type of maze:

Follow your normal how to make a maze preference, but when you make the walls, draw them free hand, without grids based on the shape of the object you are mazing.

 

Pattern Mazes

Pattern Maze Definition:

Pattern Maze - A Maze that uses a common pattern to create the walls and paths. Examples are a Greek Key, Plaid, Hounds-tooth, Herringbone or Argyle.

I am eliminating this as a type of maze because it is a design decision, not a maze construction. Creating an argyle maze uses a draw and cut method. A camo maze is an object maze. A herringbone is a draw and cut maze. I consider this similar to making circular mazes - you may use many techniques to create the maze, but they are all circular in shape. You can use many techniques to create a pattern maze.

Pattern Maze Examples: The subject matters are the same (recognizable patterns), but the maze construction techniques vary….so there is no standard how to for this type !

When would you use this ? Because you like the pattern !

Free Book Download Available - I made a book of 34 Box pattern mazes available in my free book section. I also made 2 similar books with patterns of 35 mazes each. Spanish language versions are available also.

How to Make Multiple Conditional Maze Types

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. Today I combine 5 different maze types that are all related. I will walk through how-to’s for each version, with examples and definitions. Each of these mazes use conditions (rules) to determine how a solver can move through the maze. Each example will use the state of Ohio as a template for easy comparison.

This is a long blog post so you can skip ahead with jump links to the section you want using this outline:

THE MAZE DEFINITIONS

QUICK VISUAL COMPARISON GALLERY OF THE 5 MAZE TYPES

NUMBER MAZES

HOW TO MAKE A NUMBER MAZE

ADDITIONAL NUMBER MAZE EXAMPLES

LETTER MAZES

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE

ADDITIONAL LETTER MAZE EXAMPLE & SOLVING TIP

PUZZLE MAZES

HOW TO MAKE A PUZZLE MAZE

ADDITIONAL PUZZLE MAZE EXAMPLES

FREE DOWNLOADABLE PUZZLE MAZE BOOK

MAKING OF A PUZZLE MAZE VIDEO

COLOR GRID MAZES

HOW TO MAKE A COLOR GRID MAZE

ADDITIONAL COLOR GRID MAZE EXAMPLES

CONDITIONAL PATH MAZES

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE EXAMPLES

MAZE MAKING TEMPLATES

CONCLUSION

THE MAZE DEFINITIONS:

Number Maze - A maze where moving from the Start to the Goal is done by following a series of numbers in a specific sequence. Examples are counting by 5’s, or by numbers that are divisible by 7.

Letter Maze - A type of conditional maze where the pathways are formed by letters that need to be chosen in a correct sequence, or of a particular type to form a path to solve the maze.

Puzzle Maze - A type of conditional maze that is solved by following a key that explains conditions to solve the puzzle. In a Simple puzzle maze there are no choices for the solver to make, only conditions of movement that must be followed to correctly solve the maze. In a Complex puzzle maze there is a puzzle to solve to create possible pathways for solving.

Color Grid Maze - A type of conditional maze where movement between blocks is limited to a specific sequence of colors.

Conditional Path Maze - (sometimes called a Colored Path Maze) A maze where the paths that can be taken are subject to the conditions of the maze maker. Typically this involves a sequence of colored pathways that can only be taken in a specific order.

QUICK VISUAL COMPARISON GALLERY OF THE 5 MAZE TYPES

Notice that each needs directions in order to understand how to solve it. Click on an image to see a larger version of it.

HOW TO MAKE A NUMBER 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. A more traditional maze uses a square or rectangle outline.

Ohio state map outline

Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Draw a grid to fill the outline of the maze.

Ohio outline with a grid

Step 3 - Choose the Start and Goal

I chose the large block in the north and a grid block in the far corner. As with any gridded maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline. In my example I used internal.

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the number system you have chosen, filling grids to create a path from the start to the goal of the maze.

Step 5 - Create False Pathways

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect answers, or short possible pathways that lead to dead ends. While a normal pathway is drawn to a dead end, a number maze uses possible numbers to create dead pathways. For a good example look at the 5 directly under the START. You may move left, right, or down to the 10 block. Two of these will become false moves.

Step 6 - Add Directions

Can be done at any time in the process, but must be done. Add directions to explain to the solver how they can move through the maze. In my example you can count by 5’s to move from start to goal.

Number maze count by fives in the shape of Ohio

Step 7 - Create a Final Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in gold).

ADDITIONAL NUMBER MAZE EXAMPLES

Here is another example of a Number maze (here called a counting maze) made for children. The structure is a more normal rectangle shape for a number maze and the start and goal are items, in this case a worm going to an apple.

Count by 3's Maze for Kids

The next example uses a slight variation on the number maze - using larger number to move forward in the maze.

Number Maze example

Size and complexity can make a number maze complex. Use only Prime numbers (google search…). Here is larger maze using division.

Number Maze - numbers divisible by 3

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER 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. A typical letter maze is square or rectangular in shape.

  • Step 1.5 - Choose the Start / Goal (optional now)

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and decided to choose the goal after completing the solution. As with any gridded maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline. In my example I used external.

  • Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Draw a grid to fill the outline of the maze. Many of these mazes will be grid shaped squares and rectangles.

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE - STEP 1/2

  • Step 3 - Create the Maze Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the letter system you have chosen, filling grids to create a path from the start to the goal of the maze. In my example below I will be using vowels to move the maze solver from grid to grid.

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE - STEP 3

  • Step 4 - Create False Paths

Create false paths by filling grids with possible branches off the main solution that lead to dead ends. Notice I used the same letters as the correct pathway.

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE - STEP 4

  • Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect or unusable letters, in my example below consonants.

  • Step 6 - Check for Unwelcome Words

Any time you make a letter maze you should return back to it after completion to check for curse words. No need for me to make a list…

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE - STEP 5/6

  • Step 7 - Add Directions

Can be done at any time in the process, but must be done. At directions to explain to the solver how they can move through the maze. In my example you can use vowels to move between blocks.

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE - STEP 7

  • Step 8 - Create a Final Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in gold).

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER MAZE - STEP 8 the solution

ADDITIONAL LETTER MAZE EXAMPLE & SOLVING TIP

Letter Maze Solving Tip

One way to solve a large Letter Maze is to eliminate the false answers by filling them in with black marker (or by covering with an X). This will leave only the good grids that could create a pathway leaving the solution apparent (most likely).

Letter Maze example

HOW TO MAKE A PUZZLE MAZE

Steps 1, 2 and 2.5 all the same as above, so we start with step essentially below.

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Step 2.5 - Choose the Start and Goal (optional now)

Step 3 - Add the Key the Puzzle

Decide the key that will move the solver through the maze. In my example I did this with 4 simple movements in 4 directions, but you may use any number of symbols and movements. Unlike many mazes that are made you need to make the rules first for this one, and “explain what needs explaning”.

HOW TO MAKE A PUZZLE MAZE step 3

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the key and symbol system you have chosen. For my simple puzzle maze there are not actually any decisions to make on the pathways, you need only follow the key to solve the puzzle maze.

HOW TO MAKE A PUZZLE MAZE step 4

Step 5 - Create False Pathways

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect options. These are grid blocks that the solver should never reach if they follow the key correctly.

HOW TO MAKE A PUZZLE MAZE step 5

Step 6 - Create a Final Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in aqua).

HOW TO MAKE A PUZZLE MAZE step 6 the solution

ADDITIONAL PUZZLE MAZE EXAMPLES

Numbers, colors and shapes are all available to you to play with as shown in the 3 examples below. Click to open a window with a large version. The nice thing about these maze is they can be solved without a writing utensil and on a screen.

FREE DOWNLOADABLE PUZZLE MAZE BOOK

Of all the free books I have available this is one of my favorites. I like the cover and the colors of the mazes make the book look great.

THE PUZZLE MAZE BOOK

THE PUZZLE MAZE BOOK

30 puzzle mazes. Move from start to goal following the conditions in the instructions. (Please note : this book must be printed in color to solve the mazes, however all mazes can be solved on screen also !)

File Size: 845 KB

download puzzle maze book

MAKING OF A PUZZLE MAZE VIDEO

Shows me making a puzzle maze. Notice I used numbers off to the side for quicker construction with copy and paste !

HOW TO MAKE A COLOR GRID MAZE

Our first 3 steps (steps 1, 2 and 2,5) are similar to above so we speed through them.

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Step 2.5 - Choose the Start and Goal (optional now)

Step 3 - Add Directions to the Maze

Explain the conditional rules that will dictate the movement of the maze solver through the maze and add these directions. In my example I chose to move from block to block using red, white, and blue. I allow movement in any direction so I do not need to explain any limits since there are none (vs some mazes that only allow N,S,E,W movements and no diagonals).

HOW TO MAKE A COLOR GRID MAZE step 3

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the color condition you have chosen.

HOW TO MAKE A COLOR GRID MAZE step 4

Step 5 - Create False Pathways (colored blocks)

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect options. Each block that you make a particular color needs to be considered - can this be used by the solver ? A completed color grid maze will always have one dominant color (in my example white) that helps create non-solutions to the maze more easily.

HOW TO MAKE A COLOR GRID MAZE step 5

Step 6 - Create a Final Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in lime, with possible branches in pink). There will always be a third color that is dominant in the color grid (here white) that allows multiple different moves for what is essentially the same solution.

HOW TO MAKE A COLOR GRID MAZE step 6

ADDITIONAL COLOR GRID MAZE EXAMPLES

From my examples, I prefer using internal start and goals vs/ external arrows. Black, grey and white versions are most common for use in black and white books.

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE

Step 1 - Draw the Decision Stations

A conditional path maze does not NEED an outline, in fact most will not have an outline….but it does need decision stations. For my example, to be consistent I used an outline of Ohio and created decision stations in that general shape. I deleted the Ohio outline in the next step. Space the decision stations far enough apart a pathway can be drawn between them.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start / Goal (goal is optional)

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland. I prefer to choose the goal later as I construct the maze based on how difficult I want it to be to solve. I want to also note that I used an arrow and an initial pathway to start the maze. I could have also used a block with the word “START”. This would mean that the initial move is not set, but will most likely have multiple options (further explained in step 2).

Step 2 - Draw Pathways between the Stations

Draw pathways between the decision stations. I do not connect every station to every nearby station. Leave a few open. As you build the solution and false pathways you can adjust these as needed. I find it’s better to have less pathways to start than more. Following up on the discussion above, had I opted for “START” in the first block used the solver would have 3 options to move in (pre colors added of course, but had I chosen that START I would have made at least 2 of them possible first moves).

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE STEP 2

Step 3 - Create a Solution

Starting from the entrance color pathways to create a solution. Because this is a Conditional Path maze you will need to decide what those conditions are. In my below example it is to solve the maze by moving from orange to gold to green pathways. Don’t worry, we will add the instructions in a later step. To make the maze more fun and difficult I suggest you loop the solution thru a block more than once. In row 2 the second block from the top is visited twice.

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE STEP 3

Step 4 - Create False Pathways

Continue to color pathways, giving the solver additional options to move from one station to another. Add and delete pathways as needed. I well designed maze will create confusing loops that take the solver down false paths. In the example below I also added a final pathway to the goal. Similar to the discussion above on START, I could have used a GOAL block instead of the exit pathway and arrow.

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE STEP 4

Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Add directions to the maze to complete it, telling the solver the conditions for solving.

SIDEBAR: Compare the Conditional Path maze to it’s sibling, the Color Grid maze. Each uses conditional movement to move from start to goal, but the structure is grid based vs. path based. A color grid maze also has much more open movement with a grid away from a wall being able to use 8 directions when it is landed on.

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE STEP 5

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here as a purple dashed line). If your pathways have multiple possible solutions, mark the best (shortest) solution. I also like to set this maze type to the side for a week and try to solve it later to see how complex it is.

HOW TO MAKE A CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE STEP 6 SOLUTION

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONAL PATH MAZE EXAMPLES

We have a black and white version for kids, and a larger version for adults. Click to see them in larger windows and solve !

MAZE MAKING TEMPLATES

This simple grid template could be used for 4 of the above maze types. Download below.

download the template

And these 2 templates can be used to make a conditional path maze by adding directions and some colors !

download template #1
download template #2

CONCLUSION

While each of these maze constructions uses conditions to solve them, you will rarely find them in bulked themed books focusing on a single type. These mazes are best used for a change of pace when making a book of mixed mazes, puzzles and activities. Each can be made in different difficulty levels from very easy to hard by creating the right rules !

Weekly Hard Maze #35

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 #35 - Directional Maze

Solution will be in the archive. Download is below.

Weekly Hard Maze #35 - Directional Maze
download the directional maze

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