How to Make a Connected Dots Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 10th type of maze construction is the Connected Dots 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:

CONNECTED DOTS MAZE DEFINITION

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN

HOW TO MAKE A CONNECTED DOTS MAZE

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

ADDITIONAL CONNECTED MAZE EXAMPLES

FREE MAZES TO SOLVE

CONNECTED DOT MAZE TEMPLATES

MAKING OF A CONNECTED DOTS MAZE VIDEO

CONNECTED DOTS MAZE DEFINITION:

Connected Dots Maze - Can also be called Connected “any object” mazes. A maze created by connecting dots with walls to make pathways.

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 A CONNECTED DOTS MAZE

  • Step 1 - Draw the Dots (or the object you are using)

I decided to use dots as my object and draw them in a square pattern. I could have use any object and any shape.

How to make a connected dots maze step 1

  • Step 2 - Draw Walls to Connect the Dots

Connect the dots to create the walls of the maze. I decided to make the outer walls in a square shape as I drew. This created my gaps for start and goal also.

How to make a connected dots maze step 2

  • Step 3 - Complete the Maze

Draw lines between the dots to create the maze walls until the maze is complete.

  • Step 4 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution.

How to make a connected dots maze step 4

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

Step 1 - Draw the Outline (optional) - Note: In a connected dots maze you may also start on step 2 and draw the dots first, using the dots to create your outline. Technically you can skip this step completely ! I only drew an outline to create the shape of Ohio to compare it to other constructions.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

Step 2 - Draw the Dots (or the object you are using) - Take the outline and fill it with dots. I like mine at equal distances away from each other, but there is no rule for that. The more dots you make the more paths you will be able to make allowing for a more difficult maze.

ALTERNATIVE STEPS: 1 - Draw most of the dots first. 2. Create an outer edge by connecting the outside dots. Continue to Step 3 below.

Step 3 - Draw Walls to Connect the Dots

Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls

Step 5 - Complete the Maze Walls - I also added dots onto the outline to make the maze look better in this step.

Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

ADDITIONAL CONNECTED MAZE EXAMPLES

In this first example, the smaller and more compact dots have been used to create a much more difficult maze. This maze also is a good example of randomly placed dots rather than having them placed in some sort of pattern.

Difficult Connected Dots example Maze

My second example shows a connected dot maze made with a dot border instead of an outline. This is also a good example of the use of dots in a grid pattern.

Large Connected dots maze

My third example is here to show you that Connected Squares also work (triangles, stars, hexagons, bird shapes, etc). And the outline can be flexible with this format of maze, with this particular one much more chaotic than those above.

connected squares maze

FREE MAZES TO SOLVE

I have an entire section of Object to Object mazes that were made for kids that are similar looking to these mazes, however to solve these you travel on the line not between them ! I did a lot of fun themes and used some of my comic artwork so they look cool. One issue - they are very colorful and not the best things to print - more of on-screen mazes. Here is an example maze using stars:

Star to Star maze

CONNECTED DOT MAZE TEMPLATES

I made 2 different templates if you want a quick start to make your own connected dots maze. One is geometric dots and the other is more scattered. Free downloads are below.

download template
download scatter template

MAKING OF A CONNECTED DOTS MAZE VIDEO

Check out this quick video showing the making of a simple connected dots maze.

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 a Cut-Thru or On-Line Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 9th type of maze construction is the On-line / Cut-Thru 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:

MAZE DEFINITIONS

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN

HOW TO MAKE AN ON-LINE MAZE

HOW TO MAKE A CUT-THRU MAZE PATHS - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

ADDITIONAL CUT-THRU AND ON-LINE MAZE EXAMPLES

FREE MAZES IN THIS STYLE

MAKING A CUT THRU MAZE VIDEO

MAZE DEFINITIONS:

Cut-thru Maze - While most maze constructions are made by building walls, a Cut-thru Maze is created by drawing the pathways, in a sense cutting thru the object you are maze-ing. The finished product can look like a standard maze where you travel on the walls instead of the pathways between the walls.

ON-LINE Maze - A MAZE WHERE YOU TRAVEL ON THE LINE INSTEAD OF BETWEEN THE WALLS OF THE MAZE.

The difference between these 2 is essentially: is there a background for the maze. If yes, it is a cut-thru and if no, it is an on-line maze. The construction is the same.

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 ON-LINE Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Object

A new first step. While most mazes start with draw an outline, this maze starts with Draw the Object. That may include an outline initially, but to get the object completed the outline should be filled in with color to create a surface to “Cut-thru”. The color can be changed later based on your preference. For my example I started used pink to define the shape I want. I also added a grid solely as a guide.

How to Make a On Line Maze step 1

Step 2 - Draw the Solution

Use a contrasting color to draw the mazes solution, remembering that you are drawing a path and not a wall when creating this type of maze. I used a square grid to draw my path on but you could use other options as well.

How to Make a On Line Maze step 2

Step 3 - Draw the False Paths

Starting with the solution path, draw lines to misdirect the solver to dead ends. The longer the false branches and more decisions that need to be made, and the more difficult the maze will be. Using a different color for these paths will help later when you make the solution. I used red lines.

How to Make a On Line Maze step 3

And continue until you are complete:

How to Make a On Line Maze step 4

Step 4 - Convert All Paths to one color

Completing the maze means converting all paths you made to white (or any other single color you choose) to hide the correct solution.

How to Make a On Line Maze step 5.png

The I deleted the background grids to get the final version. I added the labels START and GOAL.

How to Make a On Line Maze step 6

Step 5 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. This will be very easy since that line was made earlier.

How to Make a On Line Maze step 7 solution

Let’s compare this same maze as a cut thru…I added small lines to allow for an external START and GOAL, but other wise these are the same maze !

cut thru maze
On Line Maze

HOW TO MAKE A CUT-THRU MAZE PATHS - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

Step 1 - Draw the Object - In this case the object is filled-in to create a background

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

Step 2 - Draw the Solution - Use a contrasting color to draw the mazes solution, remembering that you are drawing a path and not a wall when creating this type of maze. I used a square grid to draw my path on but you could use other options as well.

Step 3 - Draw the False Paths - Starting with the solution path, draw lines to misdirect the solver to dead ends.

Step 4 - Convert All Paths to White

Step 5 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Here is the same maze as a cut-thru and an on-line version. They are exactly the same except for the background:

Ohio Maze - Cut thru vs On Line

ADDITIONAL CUT-THRU AND ON-LINE MAZE EXAMPLES

The flexibility of this maze construction mean that you can make some interesting shapes like this On Line Maze of a Fly:

Kids On Line Maze Fly

A second example of a cut-thru maze is the Record Maze. The solver must travel on paths cut-thru the black record to solve the maze.

Cleveland Rocks Record Maze

For my third example I have this Rooster Maze, to show that the pathways you use does not need to be one color, or either just black or white as they are above.

Kids On Line Maze Rooster

Have you ever wanted to see a cut-thru Cheese Maze ? I have you covered with this next example. I wanted to show this example to illustrate that you do not need to use a standard grid to make this type of maze (although I typically use them anyway). The cheese is mazed using an Axonometric grid.

Cheese Wedge Maze

FREE MAZES IN THIS STYLE

I have a section of free downloadable mazes of On Line Mazes and Kids On Line Mazes. The difference is the difficulty and the size of the mazes.

You can check out a whole months worth of examples of cut thru mazes I made in June of 2020, now an archived page. I will mention that this is archived for a reason.

MAKING A CUT THRU MAZE VIDEO

Here is a quick video of a very basic cut thru maze being made if you are more visual.

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 #32

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 #32 - Block Move Maze

This is the first block move maze in the hard maze collection. There are multiple possible solutions all around the same general pathway. Solution will be in the archive. Download is below.

Weekly Hard Maze #32 - Block Move Maze
download the block move maze

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

How to Make a Spiral Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 8th type of maze construction is the Spiral 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:

SPIRAL MAZE DEFINITION

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN

HOW TO MAKE A SPIRAL MAZE

HOW TO MAKE A SPIRAL MAZE - Alternate example (Ohio)

ADDITIONAL SPIRAL MAZE EXAMPLES

MAKING A SPIRAL MAZE VIDEO

SPIRAL MAZE DEFINITION

Spiral Maze - While a version of a spiral can be used in many maze constructions, a Spiral maze uses the spiral construction for the majority of the maze (and sometimes the entire maze), giving the maze a unique look.

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 A SPIRAL 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. Ideally your spiral maze will be a square or rectangle.

  • Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati.

How to make a spiral maze step 1

  • Step 2 - Start Drawing the Spiral

Take the outline and begin making a spiral by drawing walls. Remember that as you build the spiral you must embed the spiral’s exit from the start. I made it into a 3 part gallery so you can control and see the initial pathways being made.

Continue drawing the walls towards the center, while occasionally splitting the pathway to confuse the solver. And, of course, keep track of which pathway is the exit ! I typically keep this pathway in a spot away from the other “open” incoming pathways that I have not made into dead ends/correct yet. The branches you create as you move towards the center can be hard to keep track of and checking your work is vital to get this maze construction correct. See the video below to watch how the branches are split out and come together in the center !

And finally complete the spiral by linking the exit to one of the entrance pathways in the center.

  • Step 3 - Complete the Maze Walls

Completing the remaining walls to the goal.

How to make a spiral maze step 3

And because I used grids to help draw this digitally, I erased the grids for the final maze:

How to make a spiral maze step 3 no grids

  • Step 4 - 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 spiral maze mean that providing a solution is essential. I find that the solution of spiral mazes means longer solutions and using more of the maze. Below, a significant part of the maze is included in the solution. For the solver to follow along more easily I made it blue to the center and red coming out !

How to make a spiral maze step 4

HOW TO MAKE A SPIRAL MAZE - Alternate example (Ohio)

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

Step 2 - Start Drawing the Spiral

Step 3 - Draw any Additional Walls

Step 4 - Complete the Maze Walls

Step 5 - Make the Maze Solution

ADDITIONAL SPIRAL MAZE EXAMPLES

Here is an example of a spiral maze in a simple box format. When you have a rectangular shape to maze, the spiral maze construction is the perfect construction to use. The pathways are not wide but they are hard to follow with your eyes to solve (your eyes may jump lines and not know it). Typically any choices you make are not known to be wrong until you are in the center of the spiral and you reach a dead end or or loop. This can make even small spirals difficult to solve quickly.

Square shaped Spiral Maze example

For my second example, I have an easy Spiral maze. Not a lot of choices on the way in. Nice wide pathways.

Easy square shaped spiral maze

My third example is a medium size scale Spiral Maze. Try to solve it with your eyes…so difficult.

MAKING A SPIRAL MAZE VIDEO

Here is a video of the making of a spiral maze using standard equal maze paths.

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.