How to Make an Axonometric Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 6th example with look at an Axonometric maze construction. 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.

AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE DEFINITION

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC MAZE

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

MORE EXAMPLES OF AXONOMETRIC MAZES

AXONOMETRIC MAZE TEMPLATE

MAKING OF AN AXONOMETRIC MAZE VIDEO

AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE DEFINITION:

Axonometric Grid Maze - This is a maze made using an axonometric grid. Typically these grids are used to draw 3 dimensional representations of objects like a cube. But, for maze making this just means drawing walls at the angle of the axonometric grid.

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 Axonometric Maze

Step 1 - Determine your grid shape

When making a regular grid maze you are choosing the size of the grid boxes you will use. So a 20x20 grid is larger than a 10x10 grid. When choosing an axonometric grid you may choose the size, but more importantly is choosing the angles of the grid you will be using see the 3 examples below. The first grid uses angles of 20 degrees, the second 30 degrees, and the last 45 degrees (making essentially regular grids tilted at a 45 degree angle). My program defaults to 30 x 30 unless I change it and seems to work well for almost everything.

20 x 20 Grid

30 x 30 Grid

45 x 45 grid

Step 2 - 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.

Step 2.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I used START and GOAL written in the maze, but I added them later. Here is the outline shown on the grid:

And because this is a cube shape I added the internal walls with gaps for the maze to go pass through:

Step 3 - Start Drawing the Walls

Using the axonometric grid pattern, begin drawing the maze walls starting at the entrance of the maze. Be careful to never close all open paths so the maze can be solved. As you make the maze decide how difficult you want to make it.

Step 4 - Complete the Maze

Draw the final walls and draw the exit. You have completed the drawing of an Axonometric maze !

I added an additional step to delete the grids to see the final maze.

Step 5 (Optional) - Draw the Solution

While the correct pathway is fresh in your mind, draw the solution to the maze. This is especially important with more complex mazes. It can also be a check to make sure your maze has a solution and helps you determine how difficult it is.

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

Step 1 - Draw the Outline - Ohio in this example

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

Step 2 - Determine your grid shape (not shown here - see above)

Step 3 - Start Drawing the Walls

Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls

Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Step 6 (Optional) - Draw the Solution

This is an example of a maze that uses the axonometric grid, but it is forced…ideally you use it on mazes where drawing a 3d shape on paper is important. It is usable but not ideal for Ohio,

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE STEP 1

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE STEP 2

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE STEP 2.1

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE STEP 2.2

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE STEP 2.3

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE - STEP 4

HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE SOLUTION

MORE EXAMPLES OF AXONOMETRIC MAZES:

The Stairs maze naturally works as it helps to give the maze dimension. Notice how the direction of the walls is consistent with the plane of the object to help give it the dimensional look. The Lemon Meringue Pie maze uses the construction to draw the maze at the proper angle to the picture. And of course, where the construction really shines is on the Cube Maze !

Stairs Maze

Lemon Meringue Pie Maze

Cube Maze

A very important design note not covered in the step by step above is to follow the direction of the object when making your pathways. This will give your object dimension and make for a better looking maze. Both of the below cubes were made using an Axo grid, but the one on the left follows the direction and flow of the object while the one on the right does not. Personally I think the example on the left is a much better maze. Imagine the Steps maze above if it did not use the objects flow to make the pathways.

Axonometric grids also serve as the base for geometric mazes that aren’t square or rectangular, like this example of a Hexagon maze. However, I do not consider this a pure axonometric maze, but instead an Escape Maze !

And sometimes the shape of the item lends itself to grid that is tilted at an angle. I really like this Kazoo Maze. How many kazoo mazes have you seen before ?

AXONOMETRIC MAZE TEMPLATE

This free downloadable template will help you make your own version.

Making of an Axonometric Maze Video

Watch this quick video to get a sense of how an Axonometric Cube maze is made.

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 Arrow Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. For the fifth example we will look at the arrow maze construction. It is one of the most enjoyable maze constructions to make. 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.

ARROW MAZE DEFINITION

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN

HOW TO MAKE AN ARROW MAZE

HOW TO MAKE AN ARROW MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

ADDITIONAL ARROW MAZE EXAMPLES

6 ADDITIONAL ARROW MAZE MOVEMENT OPTIONS

THE MASTERCLASS

ARROW MAZE BOOKS

MAKING AN ARROW MAZE VIDEO

ARROW MAZE DEFINITION

Arrow Maze - A maze that involves following arrows in the direction shown with a few decisions along the way to create the maze solving aspect. Standard movement is one grid at a time (vs an Slide Arrow Maze that allows multiple grids per move). A well designed arrow maze has no dead ends, but rather loops that return you to an earlier part 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. This is extremely important with an Arrow Maze !

HOW TO MAKE AN ARROW 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. Arrow mazes are made of grids, so any configuration or shape you can make from grids would be suitable for an arrow maze.

• Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

I use START and GOAL written in the grid typically. They cab be anywhere as long as they are no touching each other

• Step 2 - Draw the Grid Design

Draw a grid design to fill the outline with blocks that will contain the arrows. I made an O.

• Step 3 - Draw the Arrows off to the side

Unique for this maze is that prep-work will help with the mazes construction. An arrow maze can be moved thru in 8 main directions (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW). I like to create an arrow and then rotate the arrow to the needed directions to make the construction of the maze more efficient. I also make one “choice” arrow with multiple directions that I can rotate as needed. For advanced Arrow mazes there are a few other options I will show in my other examples section, but these basic arrows are a good start.

• Step 4 - Start Filling in Arrows

Beginning from the starting block, add arrows to create pathways away from the block. Any block touching the starting block can be a first move. Arrows that face the starting block will return you back immediately. While constructing an Arrow maze you should have at least one path back to the starting block for false paths. Unlike most mazes, an Arrow path has no dead ends (ideally), only loops to earlier parts of the maze.

Notice how I created false paths that bring you back to earlier parts of the maze. I find that return loops are much more enjoyable than dead ends when solving a maze.

• Step 5 - Complete the Arrow Maze

To complete an Arrow maze you fill in each block with an arrow. Make sure to never create a dead end or an infinite loop. In this way an Arrow maze can be solved in multiple ways (some loops return to their initial mistake), but there is always a best solution. There are also “short” loops that are less punishing to the solver if they make a wrong choice.

• Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Solution

Highlight the solution for the solver that is the quickest path to the goal. For Arrow mazes I like to solve these after a few days to check how enjoyable they are. I did not make this one very complicated ! I used both a drawn line and black vs grey to highlight the correct pathway.

• Step 7 (Optional) - Give it Depth

I have added a 3d element to almost every Arrow maze I have made the last few years. It gives them shape and they look more interesting. Add one if you want !

HOW TO MAKE AN ARROW MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

Here is the original step by step maze done in the shape of Ohio. Use the next controls to watch the maze get made, then see the solution.

Step 1 - Draw the Outline - Ohio for this example

Step 2 - Draw the Grid Design

Step 3 - Draw the Arrows off to the side - If this is your first Arrow Maze. These are the most basic arrows.

Step 4 - Start Filling in Arrows

Step 5 - Complete the Arrow Maze - I added Start and Goal labels here also.

Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Solution - I used red, but a line tracing the arrows is also helpful IMO.

What this maze lacks is directions ! Could the average person solve this without them ?

How to make an arrow maze - step 1

How to make an arrow maze - step 2

How to make an arrow maze - step 3

How to make an arrow maze - step 4

How to make an arrow maze - step 4.5

How to make an arrow maze - step 5

How to make an arrow maze - step 6 - solution

ADDITIONAL ARROW MAZE EXAMPLES

Here are a few additional examples of Arrow mazes in more traditional forms. The first is in a the most common square grid form. I included this example because it was one of my first formats which included directions and the use of colors for the Start and Goal.

And these are two examples of Arrow mazes in different shaped grids. Any grid shape could work if it has enough options for the solver to be challenged. The maze on the left also includes a decision arrow at 45 degrees.

While making an Arrow Maze can be pretty basic from a movement perspective, there are many options to make it more interesting. Let’s review some the the most common ones I use to make things more challenging.

6 ADDITIONAL ARROW MAZE MOVEMENT OPTIONS

1. The ALL WAYS ARROW allows anyone to land on it to leave the grid in ANY direction. It looks like a star.

2. The DOUBLE MOVE ARROW allows you to jump over grids or spaces in the maze. It works well to get out of tight areas and from a design perspective makes the maze more difficult to solve.

3. RETURN TO START is a grid that you do not want to land on.

4. START / GOAL is my favorite grid type. Instead of telling the solver where the START and the GOAL is you only show them where the 2 possible are. It is the solvers job to find which is which by finding a path between each START/GOAL grid.

5. The SLIDE ARROW allows you to move to any arrow the Slide Arrow is pointing at.

6. WARP GRIDS allow the solver to jump across the maze between each Warp.

Check out my rule movement page from an upcoming book, along with a few examples that showcase the new movements. They make for much harder mazes, and are much more interesting to solve. For all of these mazes I dropped the color start/goal and went with a more traditional and intuitive use of the words “Start” and “Goal”.

Example of moves 1,2,3,6

Slide Arrow Maze

There is also an option to use ONLY Slide Arrows, creating a Slide Arrow Maze. These can be made extremely difficult to solve. Since they are both Arrow Mazes, here is a comparison of the 2 types of Arrow Mazes and their rules for solving:

THE MASTERCLASS

I did the following 14 Part series where I dive into Arrow mazes in detail. It is long and complete.

The Arrow Mazes Design Masterclass: 14 parts, 50 examples

This is one of the most comprehensive blog posts on any subject on the website.

I have 4 Arrow Maze Books AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Here an overview of the first book:

THE ARROW MAZE BOOK VOLUME 1: AVAILABLE IN 4 LANGUAGES IN BOTH PRINT AND KINDLE EDITIONS

• Part puzzle, part maze, all fun ! Enjoy 100 Arrow Mazes that get more challenging as you move forward. Arrow Mazes don't have walls or dead ends but that doesn't mean you won't get lost ! Perfect for both maze lovers and puzzle solvers. Later puzzles get new solving rules to keep the challenge fresh.

  • Features large size of 8.5 x 11 (Print edition)

  • 100 Arrow Mazes with solutions

  • Unlike most maze books, no pencil is needed - perfect for solving on a Kindle !

  • See Maze 49 below for an example.

A FREE downloadable Arrow Maze book to try

In January 2020 my daily mazes consisted of Arrow Mazes I made using my original design. This book does NOT include any of the new movements which make the mazes more fun and challenging but it is a nice introduction to Arrow Mazes. As the month went on the mazes got larger. This book collects all of the mazes from that month. (If you are wondering Volumes 1 & 2 were retired).

THE ARROW MAZE BOOK - VOLUME 3

31 pages, 32 mazes including the cover

File Size: 715 KB

Features each daily maze from January 2020. Arrow mazes have no dead ends which means they should be easy…right ? Each Arrow maze get progressively harder.

MAKING AN ARROW MAZE VIDEO

Take 2 minutes to watch an Arrow Maze being made. This shows the sped up process I described above.

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 Horizontal or Vertical Drawn Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 4th type of maze construction is both the Horizontal and the Vertical mazes. After some reflection I determined that these maze constructions are the same - just rotated 90 degrees from the other. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the examples. 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

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL MAZE

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

4 ADDITIONAL HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL MAZE EXAMPLES

MAZE MAKING TEMPLATE

RELATED MAZE CONSTRUCTIONS

THE MAKING OF A HORIZONTAL MAZE VIDEO

MAZE DEFINITIONS:

Horizontal Maze - A maze whose main walls are constructed horizontally. Depending on the Start/Goal placement, the solver will be moving either back and forth while going up or back and forth while going down. The final maze will also look horizontal.

Vertical Maze - A maze whose main walls are constructed vertically. Depending on the Start/Goal placement, the solver will be moving back and forth while going from the left to the right or the right to the left.

How to Make a Horizontal/VERTICAL 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 used a grid structure that is 10 x 20 to help me build the maze. The greater the ratio the more horizontal the maze will look. For vertical flip the ratio.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I left gaps in 2 corners for the start and the goal. If drawing a maze digitally you could choose this later, but for a hand drawn maze the maze outline will need to have gaps for the start and goal.

Step 2 - Draw the Internal Walls

Because I am using a grid that is twice as wide as tall I can just draw my maze, ensuring I leave an open solution. The maze will flow from top to bottom with the solver moving side to side as they solve.

Step 3 - Draw More Internal Walls

Keep working towards to goal.

And more.

Step 4 - Complete the Maze

For this example I completed the maze, then deleted my grid that guided me.

Delete the grid.

Step 5 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Draw the solution to the maze. If you want to be precise in your solution, set your guide grid to half of what it was when you drew the initial horizontal lines (or alternatively shift the entire picture up). This will align your solution pathway with the new grid.

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape

This version using Ohio has a different ratio to make it even MORE horizontal. It also uses a slightly different method where you draw all of the horizontal lines first, then create a solution and pathways after.

Step 1 & 1.5 - Draw the Outline & Choose the start/goal

Step 2 - Draw the Horizontal Walls - In this example I changed the ratio so the maze looks even more horizontal.

Step 3 - Draw Vertical Walls - step 2 & 3 reverse for a vertical maze - first draw vertical walls, then raw horizontal !

Step 4 - Draw the Maze Solution

Step 5 - Draw the Dead Ends

Step 6 - Convert All Maze Paths to White

Step 7 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE - Ohio outline

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE - step 2 draw horizontal lines

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE step 3 draw walls

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE step 4 draw solution

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE step 5 draw dead ends

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE step 6 finish maze

HOW TO MAKE A HORIZONTAL MAZE step 7 the maze solution

4 ADDITIONAL HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL MAZE EXAMPLES

Here is another example of a Horizontal maze construction that works well, a maze of the number 4. It doesn’t require this construction, but I think it looks good.

For my second and third examples I keep with the number theme. For these maze I combined the use of vertical and horizontal constructions depending on the section of the number.

View fullsize

maze of the number 7

View fullsize

maze of the number 5

For our fourth example, let’s look at a map maze, in this case the Alabama Maze. Map mazes are a great place to use a horizontal construction and you will find many of my map mazes do. The reason for this particular mazes inclusion here is because it was made using different steps than I taught above. That first change comes in “Step 2- Draw the Horizontal lines”. For this maze I skipped that step and drew the maze line by line, which is probably 30X the work as each line must be placed and drawn individually. You can see this because the end of the horizontal lines is rounded. This also changes steps 3-5 above since you are drawing as designing as you go making sure you follow the cardinal rule - Never close off all pathways.

MAZE MAKING TEMPLATE

I made a template to practice with. Just draw vertical walls to create a maze, being careful to keep a solution open as you go. Want a vertical maze ? Flip the paper on it’s side !

RELATED MAZE CONSTRUCTIONS

Well I already mention that vertical and horizontal are essentially the same. But, there are 2 more maze constructions that are very similar to them. Both the standard maze and the standard equal mazes us similar construction methods.

• How to Make a Maze with Standard Maze Paths

• How to Make a Maze with Standard Equal Maze Paths

While I used arrows in all of the maze examples above, you have many more choices as I outline here: Options for Starting and Ending a Maze. You can write out START and GOAL, have dual arrows or use pictures or icons to name a few options.

THE MAKING OF A HORIZONTAL MAZE VIDEO

A note that in this particular example I went rouge - I did not use guides to make the pathways , and this caused me to draw the maze in sections. I even did a backwards draw from the goal. An option, but much better and easier to construct using the step by steps above !

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 digitally.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step instructions for how to draw labyrinths.

How to Make a Grid Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The third example we’ll look at is the grid maze construction. 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.

GRID MAZE DEFINITION

THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN:

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE

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

ADDITIONAL GRID MAZE EXAMPLES:

START AND GOAL OPTIONS

FREE DOWNLOADABLE GRID MAZE EXAMPLE BOOKLET

GRID MAZE TEMPLATE

MAKING A GRID MAZE VIDEO

GRID MAZE DEFINITION

Grid Maze - Uses a standard grid construction to create the walls. Gaps in the grid walls are created at right angles to make pathways. The maze solver needs to make choices in each grid box on where to continue to next. Exiting a grid box can take place in 4 different directions, with one being the way you entered the grid.

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 GRID 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. I used a simple 10x10 grid.

• Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose internal start and goal. As with any grided maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline.

• Step 2 - Draw the Grid Design

If you have an irregular shape, a guitar, jet, Ohio, etc. You first draw the outline of the object, then make a grid inside it, with the size of the grid helping determine the difficulty. A grid with more blocks has more possible pathways. In our example we skip this step because the square grid is already created essentially - see the Ohio example below.

• Step 3 - Draw the Solution

Drawing a grid maze digitally means determining the solution you want before determining the false paths ! Despite drawing the solution path first, this does not necessarily mean you are also choosing the difficultly level also. Dead end branches can still be short and obvious (easy) or long and difficult. Notice how this pathway is centered in each individual grid. I used my design tip above to do this, taking my grid size and cutting it in half to guide my construction.

• Step 4 - Draw the Dead Ends

Draw the dead ends, which determine the difficulty of the maze. Short paths will be easier than long paths. False paths that have additional false branches off of them will be harder to solve than those that do not. In the example below I used the color blue to differentiate the dead ends from the solution. This will also help later when you create a solution.

I also suggest you read: Maze Design Case Study - Designing a Grid Maze in Different Difficulty levels for a more in-depth look at drawing to a specific difficulty level.

• Step 5 - Convert the Path Lines to White

To complete the maze you convert all the pathways you made through the grid to white. The final maze looks much more intimidating in this final form. The structure of the equal grids means the maze doesn’t have a typical “flow” look to it that allows following of pathways more easily. This is also a good time to check to see if your pathways are wide enough for the presentation you are using. With a digital maze you can easily change the widths of all pathways quickly.

• Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

You already have drawn the grid maze solution in step 3, now re-highlight it in the final maze construction for your maze solver. You could also use the step 3 as the solution but it would not have the dead end pathways shown.

The grid maze is very versatile for many different object shapes and allows you to fill any type of object.

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

Here is the original step by step maze done in the shape of Ohio. Use the next controls to watch the maze get made, then see the solution.

Step 1 - Draw the Outline - I drew Ohio and added a start at Cleveland. I put an Arrow near Cincinnati but did not officially make that the goal until I draw the maze.

Step 2 - Draw the Grid - Fill the space with a grid, the size of your choosing based on difficulty you want.

Step 3 - Draw the Solution - Nothing too special. I drew in the maze from start to finish.

Step 4 - Draw the Dead Ends - Here you can determine how difficult the maze is.

Step 5 - Complete the Maze - Simply convert all pathways to white to match the background.

Step 6 - Draw the Solution

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE - STEP 1 OUTLINE

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE STEP 2 GRID

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE - STEP 3 DRAW THE SOLUTION

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE STEP 4 - DRAW DEAD ENDS

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE STEP 5 - CONVERT TO WHITE

HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE STEP 6 - CREATE SOLUTION

ADDITIONAL GRID MAZE EXAMPLES:

Before we get into 5 different additional examples, if you would like to read a case study on How to change the difficulty level when making a grid maze, I wrote about it and think you may find it helpful to improve your maze making ability !

The first additional maze example is the most simple. A square shaped 11x11 grid maze. All pathways are centered. The square shape makes this a maze that can be made very quickly.

My second example of a Grid maze, is a grid maze of the word grid. Notice that the grid boxes are much smaller, making for a more difficult maze. I also did not use the half grid pathway trick so the pathways are not all centered. This does help hide some possible exits as you move through maze. On my screen the scale is too small for solving, but it prints larger and is solvable.

And here is a third example of a grid maze, a US cent maze. I think a grid maze also works well when there are many curves in the object you are maze-ing. Here, the face of Lincoln on the penny and the lettering becomes part of the wall structure. Drawing many line walls here would take much longer because of the detail. Again, I did not center my pathways. As a color maze the pathways you draw need to be the same color as the background.

My fourth example was a natural fit for using a grid maze construction. The first maze I posted as a daily maze was this Crossword Puzzle Maze that I made for National Crossword Puzzle Day. Really, this is perfect time to use this construction.

The fifth example of the grid maze is this Fighter Jet maze. I include it here as an example of a maze with many complicated, small spaces to work between. The internal drawing of the wing details, the jet engine, the cockpit and the generally slender features make this a interesting challenge to maze. Using a grid maze seems to work well here.

START AND GOAL OPTIONS

I want to take the time to show you some of the many options you have for starting and ending the maze. I did not use any labels above, but arrows are pretty standard. You have other options as I outline in Options for Starting and Ending a Maze. Here is the above maze but using 3 more choices to for the start and goal. You have options !

How to make a grid maze 3 bee to flower

How to make a grid maze 1 start arrows

How to make a grid maze 2 dual arrows

FREE DOWNLOADABLE GRID MAZE EXAMPLE BOOKLET

A booklet of 14 simple black and white grid mazes. No cover. Just a a small collection to have fun with.

GRID MAZE TEMPLATE

If you want to try making a grid maze with a bit of help, try one of this downloadable template. Just add lines between the half drawn walls (+) to create the maze walls ! Since this is not digital you will create the maze as you go instead of using the steps above.

MAKING A GRID MAZE VIDEO

Here is a quick video showing the making of a simple grid maze. Notice that after the grid has been drawn, before I draw the pathways I make the guide grid half of what it was (32 seconds). This type of maze can be made quickly once you get the hang of it.

Additional Posts you may like:

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, I also have a section of step by step instructions.