How to Make an Escape Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 15th type of maze construction is the Escape 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. At the end of the post I have included a free downloadable Escape Maze book.

Escape Maze - A maze that starts internally and requires the solver to escape the mazes outer edge. While the below example uses a square-like approach for it’s design, the walls can be circular, or any other number of constructions.

HOW TO MAKE AN ESCAPE 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 (Option) Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Columbus, signified by the word START and a goal of Cleveland at the edge of the maze. NOTE: There is a variation of this maze which shows multiple possible exits from the maze and the solver needs to figure out which one is correct. In fact, I would say that is the most popular version of the maze !

• Step 2 - Draw the Internal Walls

Inside the entire outline draw internal walls. While the below example uses a square-like approach for it’s design, the walls can be circular, or any other number of constructions. You will create breaks in the walls later to escape through. You could design the maze as you would any other standard maze, drawing walls and possible pathways from the START and leading to your goal, but I prefer the layered approach since you are attempting to escape after all.

• Step 3 - Draw Additional Walls

Like constructing a vertical or horizontal maze, split the internal walls into sections drawing lines perpendicular to the current walls. The more internal lines, the more possible paths and the higher the difficulty. To better illustrate this step I drew the lines in pink (some of which overlap with the original walls solely for the simplicity of drawing them).

• Step 4 - Draw the Maze Solution

Draw the solution to the maze as in example below in red. I choose a rather simple solution for this example.

• Step 5 - Draw the Dead Ends

Make branches off the solution path to create dead end paths. The longer the paths, the more difficult the maze. In the example below the false paths are blue.

• Step 6 - Convert Paths to White

Completing the maze means converting all paths you made to white. I also converted the pink walls to black although they were only pink to illustrate what they were back in step 3. Also take some time to evaluate your maze. If I were to design this differently I would make the breaks thru the walls wider to help solvers on small screens.

• Step 7 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

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

Additional Escape Maze Examples

In this other example of an escape maze. Notice that the maze structure looks completely different with a series of circles that are cut-thru to create pathways. However, the progress and goal for the solver remains the same, break thru walls to exit the outer edge of the maze.

And this second example of an Escape maze is a more typical construction with a center start and an escape to a goal on the edge of the outline, in this case a square. I never said the walls needed to be the same width !

And here is an example of an Escape Maze with multiple possible exits, but of course only 1 works !!! I actually have gravitated to preferring this option the most because it helps prevent backwards solving. The actual size of this maze is small, but the complexity is greater than it seems. Notice how the START of the maze has 4 possible starting pathways, so you have only a 25% chance of getting that right. With 4 possible exits if you decide to backwards solve you have the same odds of picking correctly ! I like how this example feels like a fortress.

My final example is meant to illustrate that this type of maze construction can be versatile and used with many shapes. Check out this Hexagon Escape Maze.

FREE DOWNLOADABLE ESCAPE MAZE BOOK

THE ESCAPE MAZE BOOK

33 pages (includes 3 solutions pages), 30 Escape mazes

File Size: 388 KB

Features each daily maze from September 2020. In an Escape Maze you start within the walls of the maze and your goal is to escape to the outer wall. Often Escape mazes have multiple outer wall exits (although only 1 is the real solution).

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 Vertical Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 14th type of maze construction is the Vertical 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.

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 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 chose the state of Ohio.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati. This was probably not the most ideal start and goal since the solver can more easily move North and South in a vertical maze. Picking a start and goal on the left and right side of the Map would have been more ideal.

Step 2 - Draw the Vertical Walls

Inside the entire outline draw vertical walls at an equal distance apart. You will make paths through the walls in a later step. In this example the walls and pathways are of equal width, which I prefer for this type of maze, but they do not need to be. However, if the spacing gets too far apart between the lines, the maze will lose it’s vertical look (I have not determined when exactly this is but I’m sure there is a ratio).

Step 3 - Draw Horizontal Walls

Split the vertical lines into sections by drawing horizontal lines into the current pathways. Two horizontal lines between two vertical lines would create 3 possible sections for a solution to move through. The more horizontal lines, the more possible paths and the higher the difficulty. Additional option - Draw the lines as you go…I find this option to be a more difficult construction, but feel free to try it that way of you like.

Step 4 - Draw the Maze Solution

Draw the solution to the maze. Determine which pathway you would like to be the solution and draw it through the maze.

Step 5 - Draw the Dead Ends

Make branches off the solution path to create dead end paths. The longer the paths, the more difficult the maze. In the example below the false paths are purple. I find that it is easier to use different colors to keep track of which pathways are solutions/dead ends.

Step 6 - Convert all Pathways to White

Completing the maze means converting all paths you made to white. At this point evaluate your maze. It should look vertical.

Step 7 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. Easy, since you made this pathway in red in step 4.

Additional Maze examples

Here is a side by side comparison of siblings, the horizontal maze and the vertical maze. As I mentioned above, a more ideal start and goal for the vertical maze would have been the left and right sides of the maze, going against the grain similarly to how the horizontal maze does.

And here is another example of a good Vertical Maze of the number zero, or the letter O. The length of the character lends itself well to the vertical construction.

And for my final 2 examples I want to show you the 7 maze and the 5 maze. Each is a mixed maze construction combining the vertical and horizontal maze constructions based on the flow of the numbers (or letters, or pictures when you do this in practice). I really like how the 7 turned out with the top being horizontal and the stem being vertical.

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 Block Move Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 13th type of maze construction is the Block Move 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.

Block Move Maze - A maze design that is in the form of a puzzle where the solver needs to create a complete pathway in X number of moves to reach the goal and solve the maze.

How to Make a Block Move Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. For a block maze it will almost always be a square or rectangle, but it can be anything that a block fits in. The outline should be thicker than the internal lines to give the maze definition. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio ONLY to be consistent to compare maze constructions.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati. Unlike most mazes there is NOT an opening for the start and goal of the Block Move maze.

Step 2 - Draw the Grid

A Block move made is made from a grid pattern that will form the blocks. The more blocks you create, the more difficult the puzzle will be to solve.

Step 3 - Create the Start and Goal Blocks

Fill your starting and ending blocks with a bright color to indicate their importance. You may also use “Start” and “Goal” in the grids, which would also negate the use of the arrows.

Step 4 - Fill Blocks

Begin filling blocks with a neutral color. The filled blocks will create the possible pathways for the solver to use. Leave gaps in the pathway with adjacent blocks that can be shifted into them to allow possible solutions.

And continue filling in more blocks, catering to the path you want the solver to take.

Step 5 - Complete the Block Move Maze

Finish adding blocks until you have made a solution you like. Check that alternative paths do not work and adjust blocks as needed. Add directions to explain how to solve the puzzle. I only allow movement in the 4 main directions, since the possibilities of possible solves go up exponentially when diagonal moves are allowed. Also, give the # of moves that the block move maze must be solved in.

Step 6 - 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 Block Move maze means that providing a solution is essential. Each move in my example is highlighted with a different color. Some paths can be made by moving multiple blocks to the same space and are noted by multiple arrows of the same color. This is also a time when you can change any blocks if you choose. Do you want to keep moves that have 3+ blocks that can work ? (your option).

Additional Black Move Maze Examples

Here are two examples of Block mazes in a more typical square shape. The first is for Kids with only 3 shifts needed to solve the maze, while the second requiring 5 moves is only slightly more complex.

If you want to see more examples, or just practice solving some block move mazes, I made a booklet of them that is available for free download in the book section of the site.

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 Objects Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 12th type of maze construction is the Objects 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.

Objects Maze - Really an “Objects as Walls Maze.” Walls are created by adding objects to avoid almost like barriers. Objects can be anything that isn’t the traditional maze wall line. The object used will typically reflect the subject matter of the maze.

How to Make an Objects 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 the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati.

Step 2 - Start Filling the Maze with Objects

With the theme you have chosen, begin filling the outline with objects. For my Ohio example I decided to start with the major city names. This is where you can get very creative in your design. How about a maze of a soda that uses bubbles as the object walls ! A donut maze with sprinkles and toppings as the objects sounds interesting.

Step 3 - Add More Objects

Continue adding objects to fill the maze in the white spots. I chose the word OHIO rather than additional city names and began building walls. The thing about an object maze is that it takes a lot of time to fill the maze (especially if you use words as the object because of the gaps between letters).

I then added additional smaller fonts of OHIO for the smaller white spaces. Now that the maze is mostly full it is time to make the maze !

Step 4 - Make Maze Walls with Objects

Starting from the entrance of the maze start making barriers/walls by adding objects where they are needed. Because the objects in this example are words there are a lot of gaps to close. I used the letter O as you can see in Northeast Ohio.

Step 5 - Complete the Maze Walls

Object mazes are some of the most difficult to make as they are made from so many individual parts. Creating the example took a significant amount of time.

Step 6 - 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 an object maze means that providing a solution is essential. Because there were so many gaps to close I left some open intentionally so you could go on either side of a letter, but I also found an additional possible solution (in blue).

Additional Object maze Examples

Here are two additional examples of Objects mazes. The left uses boxes to create pathways (a box of boxes), while the maze on the right uses balls or circles as the objects.

For my third example I wanted to show how this maze type can be made more complex, just by adding additional boxes to this Box 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.