How to Make a Puzzle Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 31st type of maze construction is the Puzzle 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.

Puzzle Maze - A type of conditional maze that is solved by following a key that explains conditions to solve the puzzle. In a Simple puzzle maze there are no choices for the solver to make, only conditions of movement that must be followed to correctly solve the maze. In a Complex puzzle maze there is a puzzle to solve to create possible pathways for solving.

How to Make a Puzzle 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 2 - Draw a Grid

Draw a grid to fill the outline of the maze.

Step 2.5 - Choose the Start and Goal (optional now)

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal will be picked as I complete the solution. As with any grided maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline. In my example I used external.

Step 3 - Add the Key the Puzzle

Decide the key that will move the solver through the maze. In my example I did this with 4 simple movements in 4 directions, but you may use any number of symbols and movements.

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the key and symbol system you have chosen. For my simple puzzle maze there are not actually any decisions to make on the pathways, you need only follow the key to solve the puzzle maze.

Step 5 - Create False Pathways

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect options. These are grid blocks that the solver should never reach if they follow the key correctly.

Step 6 - Create a Final Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in aqua).

Additional Puzzle Maze Examples

This first extra example is in a more standard square shape. The nice thing about a simple puzzle maze is that despite it being “just” a puzzle that requires following directions, you can enhance the complexity. Below I have added 2 additional aspects to do this: the first is I have repeated all colors for both shapes, and the second is adding more complex moves where landing on the navy color which moves you 3 steps instead of one.

The second example below is a more complex puzzle maze. Not every circle can be moved onto, only the ones that meet the stated conditions. Once you have which circles can be moved to, they create pathways, one is the solution while others lead to dead ends. So for this construction following directions is not enough, that is what makes it complex.

One way to solve a large puzzle maze like the above is to eliminate the false answers, in this case grids with Red odd numbers or Blue even numbers by filling them in with black marker (or an covering with an X). This will leave only the possible grids that could create a pathway leaving the solution apparent (most likely).

My third example uses an even more complex key, with many rules to follow. Using changes to the 3 main options: color, shape and number you can make this a maze where each grid square must be considered. This particular example also gives some variety with an X shape.

Free downloadbale puzzle Maze book

Of all the free books I have available this is one of my favorites. I like the cover and the colors of the mazes make the book look great.

THE PUZZLE MAZE BOOK

30 pages, 30 puzzle mazes

File Size: 847 KB

Features each daily maze from April 2020. Puzzle mazes are all about following directions to determine which directions are possible, THEN reaching the goal based on those possible moves !

Making of a Puzzle Maze Video

Here is a quick video of a Puzzle Maze being 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 a Number Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 30th type of maze construction is the Number 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.

Number Maze - A maze where moving from the Start to the Goal is done by following a series of numbers in a specific sequence. Examples are counting by 5’s, or by numbers that are divisible by 7.

How to Make a Number 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. A more traditional maze uses a square or rectangle outline.

Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Draw a grid to fill the outline of the maze.

Step 3 - Choose the Start and Goal

I chose the large block in the north and a grid block in the far corner. As with any gridded maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline. In my example I used internal.

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the number system you have chosen, filling grids to create a path from the start to the goal of the maze.

Step 5 - Create False Pathways

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect answers, or short possible pathways that lead to dead ends. While a normal pathway is drawn to a dead end, a number maze uses possible numbers to create dead pathways. For a good example look at the 5 directly under the START. You may move left, right, or down to the 10 block. Two of these will become false moves.

Step 6 - Add Directions

Can be done at any time in the process, but must be done. Add directions to explain to the solver how they can move through the maze. In my example you can count by 5’s to move from start to goal.

Step 7 - Create a Final Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in gold).

Additional Number Maze Examples

Here is another example of a Number maze (here called a counting maze) made for children. The structure is a more normal rectangle shape for a number maze and the start and goal are items, in this case a worm going to an apple.

The next example uses a slight variation on the number maze - using larger number to move forward in the maze.

Size and complexity can make a number maze complex. Use only Prime numbers (google search…). Here is larger maze using division.

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 Weaving Path Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 29th type of maze construction is the Weaving Path 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. I have 2 different step by steps for this maze type depending on how you want the maze to look.

Weaving Paths Maze - A Maze WHERE paths are allowed to weave around each other creating an extra plane for the maze solver to work in.

How to Make a Weaving Path 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. For this type of maze the outline is optional because the outline can be created by the actual paths.

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 Drawing the Pathways

While most mazes are built by individual walls, in a weaving maze you design a pathway by virtue of the parallel walls you are drawing. A weaving pattern is achieved by controlling the direction of paths rather than the building of walls. Subtle, but important to understand. In the example below I start from the entrance and begin making pathways in multiple directions, leaving gaps along the way to later cross over and weave thru.

There are a few rules to follow when making weaving pathways. Never end a pathway underneath another path. Never split a pathway or make it change directions under another pathway. Dead ends should always happen in open spaces to avoid confusion. Basically if you have a pathway weaving under another pathway do not get fancy - make it intuitive where it comes out the other side !

Step 3 - Complete the Maze

Continue drawing pathways until you have filled the outline and created a pathway that reaches the maze goal.

Step 4 - (Optional) Add Arrow Help (or shadows)

If you believe the final version of the Weaving path maze you have made has paths that might confuse the solver you have the option to add arrows at any dimensional intersection to clarify the path can be taken. As you can see below the arrows are dual-sided to prevent hinting the correct solution path. You could use one way arrows, which will change the thought process of the solver, giving them hints on the correct paths to take. It is also possible to add small shadows on any path going under another path at the intersection (best seen in my Pipes Maze example)

Step 5 - Draw the Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in red, with alternative solutions in pink and aqua). In my example there are 3 possible solutions. I should have made a more difficult maze.

Additional Weaving Maze Examples

Explore the 10 different types of weaving maze styes, including pipes mazes and the 2 below and see which you prefer:

What is Your Preferred Weaving Maze Style ?

The below example of a weaving path maze is a more conventional weaving path maze with no outline and the extra paths make it more difficult to solve. This also uses square corners.

And another example of a Weaving Paths maze. This one also has no border, but has a point-to-point structure with weaving paths. A Weaving path can look many different ways, with the consistent portion being the ability to solve using another plane. This construction would have a different step by step, but have the same general rules. A quick step by step could be - draw a collection of spaced dots, connect them with pathways (including weaving pathways).

I also created a method to help create a complicated weaving maze that I found very helpful when making this maze type for adults:

Creating a complicated Weaving Maze - an updated method

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 3-D Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 28th type of maze construction is the 3-D 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.

3-D Maze (on paper, not in a modeling program) - A maze that uses layers and colors to create a 3-D look. Different than a Depth maze in that it uses multiple colors to create “shadows” for the different layered sides and it completes the corners.

HOW TO MAKE A 3D (LOOKING) MAZE

As I mentioned above this is how to make a 3D looking maze on a piece of paper or a screen, NOT how to make a 3D model of a maze using a program meant for that.

• Step 1 - Draw a Maze

Draw any type of maze that has wide pathways (they work best when making depth and 3-D mazes). For help making a maze check out any of my “How to Make _____ Maze” posts. For my example I used a very easy Standard Path maze (I might even consider it a Kids maze). While there is a start and goal to this maze I complete them later.

• Step 2 - Shift the Maze in a New Color

Copy the maze into a new contrasting color and shift it slightly in two directions. I chose red and shifting to the NE.

• Step 3 - Fix the Corners

Create a dimensional effect by filling in the corners of the back layer and connecting them to the corner of the front layer. This is done in the color of the back layer.

• Step 4 - Make the Start and Goal

Cut through the outline to create the start and goal ensuring there is enough for the solver to move through. Also complete any corner walls needed by the changes you made. In my example the exit is not quite correct. Can you find the mistake ?

• Step 5 - Change One Directional Color

Using a contrasting color choose one of the directions and color it. This will give the maze 3 different coloration’s, one for the top layer, and two for the back layer. In my example I used aqua to contrast with the red and black. I also fixed the exit issue from Step 5.

• Step 6 - Draw the Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in lime).

An Additional 3D Maze example

In this example of a 3-D maze you can see how a grid construction looks as a 3-D maze. Using a grid is more work to create, but the result is worth the effort.

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.