In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 38th example with look at the Hidden Message Trail construction. It is one of the most enjoyable maze constructions to make. Let’s define what I mean by the Hidden Message Trail maze, then get into the example. Every example will use the sample basic outline (the state of Ohio) to better illustrate the differences between each maze type. At the end of the post I have a free downloadable Hidden Trail Maze Book !
Hidden Message Trail Maze - A combination of the Hidden Message Maze and a Letter Maze. Movement through the maze takes you over letters and by solving the maze you spell out a secret message.
How to Make a Hidden Message Trail 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. You can also use the outline as a clue for the maze to help the solver.
Step 2 - Choose the Start (with the Goal optional now)
For the below example I chose the start in the top right corner and the goal of Cincinnati. Because this maze is made letter by letter I typically choose only the Start as the goal will be where it ends up when my message is complete. The only thing to keep in mind is the goal should end at a border.
Step 3 - Start the Construction
Begin drawing walls and using letters to fill out the maze. I suggest creating possible turns by using real words to start. So below, “There are” moves on the up and to the right path. “The b…” moves to the left. As you create the walls try to make breaks where a new word would start or where the second letter of a word is. The more real words you use, the more difficult the maze will be !
Step 4 - Create the correct message
I find it is easiest to create the correct path and then fill in around it. This is because depending on the length of your message and the size of the grid system you are using this could easily become complicated….uh, I need more room or to add another word because I can’t reach the goal at the right time…..for example. Notice I had to add an exclamation point to get there in my example. At least it fits !
Step 5 - Complete the Maze
Fill in the false letters. Using actual words on false paths will make things more difficult, so create paths that fit your audience.
Step 6 - Make the Solution
Highlight the solution for the solver.
Additional Hidden Trail Message Maze examples
Below is an additional example of a Hidden Message Trail Maze in a more traditional square grid form. With no clues this one can be difficult for some people to solve. Clues ? Let’s get to that !
Additional Hidden Trail Maze options
Give the solver some clues to help them solve the maze. I have 3 common clues I like to use - 1 - Make the object that contains the maze a clue. 2 - Tell the solver what type of saying you are using for the puzzle (idiom, quote, saying). 3 - Give the solver a guide that shows the length and number of words. In the example below you have these 3 clues: 1) Smiley Face 2) Saying and 3) 7 words with their lengths shown. Can you solve it with those clues ? Scroll down for the answer below.
Answer: I AM JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE
A second option is to give a more obvious answer, but more difficult maze solution options, including false pathways. The idiom below has an obvious first word, PENNY, with 4 different options the solver can move through to make it. So the challenge is not what is the word which will be obvious to anyone who has heard it SPOILER: (PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS), but which path should I move through. Then you get to the second word, FOR and you have even more options for pathways to make the word. Eventually all of these paths but the correct one leads to a dead end (or more accurately to incorrect or jumbled words).
Both of the above examples are part of a free downloadable book I made with 29 different Hidden Trail Message mazes.
Free Downloadable Hidden message Trail Maze Book
The first message you need to solve is the name of the actual book ! This is also a great time to discuss a third option which is a message maze that does not contain any walls. If you look at the 3 previous examples above none of them are fully ‘walled’, but some use walls to hinder or encourage movement in certain directions. The book maze below is completely unwalled, allowing more movement and more possible combinations of words.
THE HIDDEN MESSAGE TRAIL MAZE BOOK
28 pages, 29 Hidden Message Trail mazes
File Size: 445 KB
Features daily mazes from February 2021. Each maze has a hidden message with up to 3 clues: 1 - The maze object, 2 - The type of saying and 3 - The length of the words.
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.