How to Make a Hidden Message 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 Hidden Message maze. Let’s define what I mean, 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. There is also a second type of hidden message maze called a Hidden Message Trail Maze. I will give an example of it below and explain how it works.

Hidden Message Maze - A maze of any type of construction that when solved, the correct path contains a hidden written message. The maze maker should have a goal to make the message as hidden as possible in an unsolved maze.

HOW TO MAZE A HIDDEN MESSAGE MAZE

• Step 1 - Draw the Outline

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

• Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For Hidden Message mazes the start and goal will typically start on the left of the outline with the goal on the right of the outline since you are writing in English. If hiding a message in other languages you may go right to left.

• Step 2 - Write the Guide Message

On the inside of the outline write the message you would like to hide in the maze. This will be your guide as you make the maze walls. Make sure the size is large enough to allow two passes of maze paths to make a letter. If your letters are too small you will not be able to hide the message as easily as drawing the pathways will become too difficult.

Quick Tip: The smaller the width of the pathways you use the easier it will be to hide a message. It is also easier for the solver to read the message when complete since a narrow pathway is filled more easily than a wide one by drawing a single line with a writing utensil.

• Step 3 - Maze the Hidden Message

Draw lines to create the maze walls, completing a letter at a time while moving left to right while creating the maze. As I mentioned before, the letters should be at least two pathways thick to ensure each letter can be made properly.

Entrances and exits to each letter should align.

Connect the letters to complete the message.

• Step 4 - Draw the False Pathways

After deleting the guide word, fill in the rest of the maze with false pathways. A decision you need to make is how much of an option you want these paths to actually be. Do you want the solver to actually possibly select the paths or would you prefer the maze solver follows a labyrinth path to automatically create the hidden message ? The below example allows the solver to fail by selecting false paths.

• Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Complete all false branches and assess how hidden your message actually is. In the example below do you know what the message is ? I believe it is well hidden.

• Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution

For a Hidden Message Maze this step is NOT optional. You need to see how the final product actually looks. Fill the correct pathway completely and see how you did ! I think the example came out well. If I could go back and make one change I would change the h to an H to make the “HI” more easily read. However, based on the context and construction of the maze I think it reads Ohio easily (unless you are not from the US, or unfamiliar with the state). If you do not like what you have made make some last minute adjustments !

So now you should be able to make a maze with a hidden message inside it, or a maze whose solution spells a word.

HIDDEN MAZE CASE STUDIES

If you want to see an alternative Case Study of the making of a hidden maze, I have a blog post about that also. In that version I use a variety of pre-made maze letters hidden in a maze to (hopefully) confuse the solver, fill the maze space and create a hidden maze.

I also delve into solving a maze (it also happens to be a hidden maze) using a reverse solve method in a separate case study.

ADDITIONAL HIDDEN MESSAGE MAZE TYPES

Before I show you more examples, let’s give you a quick example of the second type of Hidden Message Maze, the Hidden Message Trail Maze. While both mazes hide messages for the solver, the trail maze uses actual letters to hide the message for the solver instead of pathways forming the letters. If you want a similar step by step process to learn How to Make a Hidden Trail Message Maze, I have it. In the example below passing over a letter adds it to your message. The initial path options are “There are…” up and to the right, “The beard…” going down or “The Best…” moving to the left. Good Luck !

Hidden Message Trail Maze

I made a free downloadable book of Hidden Message Trail Mazes if they interest you. I added a few twists, including the addition of clues and the use of clues/idioms. You can check it out in the free downloadable book section. To give you an idea of what these are, can you solve this one ? The clues are the object (the basketball), the type of saying (a quote by Wilt Chamberlain) and the length of the words in the saying (shown by the dashes below the maze).

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES AND FREE DOWNLOADABLE MAZE BOOK

Here is a another example of a Hidden Message Maze. These particular templates are all used for greeting cards. I have collected 34 different versions in a free downloadable Hidden Maze Book if you are up for a challenge. The pathway for this purpose does not have any choices (like a labyrinth) to ensure completion by the solver. I give extra examples to test just how good the messages are hidden in each one. Can you look at the maze and see what it says ? I certainly hope not !! The construction of these all use the standard equal construction (meaning the width of the pathways and the width of the walls are equal). If you want to see a variety of ways to maze individual letters I show them in this post.

If you like this challenge I have made it into 4 separate blog post challenges, 3 parts with 10 messages in English, and 1 part with a few Spanish words:

Hidden Message Maze challenge - Part 1

Hidden Message Maze challenge - Part 2

Hidden Message Maze challenge - Part 3

Desafío Laberinto de mensajes ocultos

Consider solving this with a pen, a marker, or a pencil. The narrow width of the pathways make the solution much more obvious when solved than wider pathways would. I also hid incorrect letter shaped pathways in the mazes to help confuse the solver.

MAKING A HIDDEN MAZE VIDEO

Finally, If you want to watch a quick 2 minute video of the making of a simple hidden message maze. Before you click play do you know what it says ?

Additional post 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, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.

The 12 Best Maze - Labyrinth movies of all time

Creating a Hidden Maze Case Study

How to Make a Line Leads 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 Line Leads maze. Let’s define what I mean, 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. If you are more visual, check out the video of the making of a line leads maze at the end of the post.

Line Leads Maze - A maze where a set number of lines can be chosen that may or may not lead to the goal. Typically only one line will lead to the goal and finding it is a game of chance. The individual lines have no decisions and isolated are more like a labyrinth path. The goal of a Line Leads maze is to reach an object as the goal.

HOW TO MAKE A LINE LEADS MAZE

• (VERY Optional) Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Unlike most makes the line leads maze does NOT need an outline. In fact most Line Leads mazes do not have one. 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. I used Ohio ONLY so it could be compared to other constructions easily.

• Step 2 - Draw the Goal

A Line Leads Maze needs a drawn goal, typically centered on the page horizontally. Vertically the goal can be centered on the page or about a third of the way down to place it far from the starting points. For my example I centered a star as the goal. This goal really becomes the personality of the maze, so get creative and make it look good !

• Steps 3, 4, and 5 - Draw the Solution Line, Draw the False Lines, Number (or letter) the Lines

Unique to the Line Leads Maze is that the order of steps 3 , 4, and 5 are actually interchangeable.

Draw the solution line - Draw a line to the goal, twisting and turning the line in the maze to confuse the solver.

Draw the false lines - Draw lines that do not go to the goal. Make sure the lines dead end far from the goal, or loop between 2 starting points (As in 5/6 below). Ensure that the pathways of the false lines do not overlap with the solution line. They can certainly cross the solution line, but overlapping too much can lead to confusion of which line continues in which direction (you know it when you see it).

Number (or letter) the lines - Number the lines you have made to give the solver options. The more lines the more difficult it will be to find the correct one.

Because this maze uses an outline, I placed the lines around the outline, but it is very typical to place all of them across the top of the page.

• Step 6 - Complete the Maze

Complete the maze by making all of the lines one color. Make any final adjustments to maze lines if their paths are confusing for the solver.

• Step 7 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. Ensure you have not made any lines that are ambiguous when they touch each other. You can also just circle the correct number (or letter) that designates the correct solution of you are designing in black and white.

Additional Line Leads Maze examples

A more typical Line Leads maze, with no outline/border. This example also adds an additional step of captioning the maze with instructions.

And, yes these can get complicated….Check out this Line Leads Maze with 10 possible options ! I even have some with 18 options !!

My third example is here to show an option you should NOT use, pathways made of straight lines that change direction. Why ? Well, while I think I know where the maze maker meant to change directions of the pathways there are many places where this can become very ambiguous. Better to make pathways that are curved and more easily followed.

FREE DOWNLOADABLE LINE LEADS BOOK

A LINE LEADS BOOK

32 pages, 32 line leads mazes (including the cover)

File Size: 802 KB

Features each daily maze from March 2020. Line Leads mazes are all about the initial choice. Recommended for Kids of most ages !

MAKING OF A LINE LEADS MAZE VIDEO

Watch this quick video of the making of a Line Leads 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 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 8th type of maze construction is the Connected Dots maze. Let’s define what I mean, 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.

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

HOW TO MAKE A CONNECTED DOTS MAZE

• Step 1 - Draw the Outline (optional)

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. 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 !

• Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

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

• 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

Draw lines between the dots to create the maze walls.

• Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls

Keep doing what you are doing. Remember to always leave a solution open to ensure solve-ability. Because this connected dots maze also has an outline you will need to connect some dots to the outline to create dead ends.

• Step 5 - Complete the Maze Walls

Completing the maze means creating a path to the goal.

I went back and added dots to the outline of the maze to give it a more authentic connected dots look. Here is the final version with those added. I think it looks much better ( or maybe authentic ?).

• Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

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

4 Additional examples of Connected Dot Mazes

Below is another example of connected dots maze, this one in traditional red and white Polka Dot colors. The scale of this maze and the above example are both easy, but they do not need to be.

In this second 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.

My third 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.

My fourth 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.

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 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 7th example with look at an Axonometric maze construction. Let’s define what I mean, 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, however this maze type is best utilized for items you want to give some depth to. A cube, and other 3-dimensional objects work best for this maze type. If you are more visual, make sure to check out the video of a cube maze being made at the end of the post.

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.

How to Make an Axonometric 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. Unique to my example is this outline is not actually made using the Axonometric grid, while 99% of creation WILL use the grid in this step.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati. I made an entrance in Cleveland but I usually wait until I am in the last stage of drawing maze lines to draw the exit point for the goal. This is in case I need to adjust the location slightly based off of my design. This works if drawing a maze digitally, but for a hand drawn maze the outline will need to have a pre-determined start and goal.

Step 2 - 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 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. A low amount of path choices, and short dead end paths will make an easy maze. Longer dead ends and lots of path choices make a more difficult maze.

Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls

Like most mazes the middle part of design is a lot of keep doing what you are doing a draw more walls moving possible solutions towards the goal.

Step 5 - Complete the Maze

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

Step 6 (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.

Other examples of Axonometric mazes that highlight the construction:

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 this example of a triangular maze using the grid (again 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 ?

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.