How to Make a Conditional Path Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 34th type of maze construction is the Conditional 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.

Conditional Path Maze - (sometimes called a Colored Path Maze) A maze where the paths that can be taken are subject to the conditions of the maze maker. Typically this involves a sequence of colored pathways that can only be taken in a specific order.

How to Make a Conditional Path Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Decision Stations

A conditional path maze does not NEED an outline, in fact most will not have an outline….but it does need decision stations. For my example, to be consistent I used an outline of Ohio and created decision stations in that general shape. I deleted the Ohio outline in the next step. Space the decision stations far enough apart a pathway can be drawn between them.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start / Goal (goal is optional)

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland. I prefer to choose the goal later as I construct the maze based on how difficult I want it to be to solve. I want to also note that I used an arrow and an initial pathway to start the maze. I could have also used a block with the word “START”. This would mean that the initial move is not set, but will most likely have multiple options (further explained in step 2).

Making a color path maze step 1

Step 2 - Draw Pathways between the Stations

Draw pathways between the decision stations. I do not connect every station to every nearby station. Leave a few open. As you build the solution and false pathways you can adjust these as needed. I find it’s better to have less pathways to start than more. Following up on the discussion above, had I opted for “START” in the first block used the solver would have 3 options to move in (pre colors added of course, but had I chosen that START I would have made at least 2 of them possible first moves).

Making a color path maze step 2

Step 3 - Create a Solution

Starting from the entrance color pathways to create a solution. Because this is a Conditional Path maze you will need to decide what those conditions are. In my below example it is to solve the maze by moving from orange to gold to green pathways. Don’t worry, we will add the instructions in a later step. To make the maze more fun and difficult I suggest you loop the solution thru a block more than once. In row 2 the second block from the top is visited twice.

Making a color path maze step 3

Step 4 - Create False Pathways

Continue to color pathways, giving the solver additional options to move from one station to another. Add and delete pathways as needed. I well designed maze will create confusing loops that take the solver down false paths. In the example below I also added a final pathway to the goal. Similar to the discussion above on START, I could have used a GOAL block instead of the exit pathway and arrow.

Making a color path maze step 4

Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Add directions to the maze to complete it, telling the solver the conditions for solving.

Conditional Pathway Maze example

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here as a purple dashed line). If your pathways have multiple possible solutions, mark the best (shortest) solution. I also like to set this maze type to the side for a week and try to solve it later to see how complex it is.

Conditional Pathway Maze example - solution

Additional Conditional Path Maze Examples

Here is another example of a Conditional Path maze. Notice that the stations again do not have pathways to every nearby station, only select ones.

Conditional Pathway Maze example #2

My next example was made for Kids and was done in greyscale for inclusion in a black and white book. Nothing too complicated as there are not many moves available to make.

Comparison of Conditional Path Maze vs Color Grid Maze

Compare the above Conditional Path maze to it’s sibling, the Color Grid maze. Each uses conditional movement to move from start to goal, but the structure is grid based vs. path based. A color grid maze also has much more open movement with a grid away from a wall being able to use 8 directions when it is landed on.

color grid maze shaped like Ohio

I did a 3 part blog series on maze constructions if you want to design your own type of maze. Part 3 includes all of the conditional maze options.

Part 1 - Starting and Ending a Maze - Speaks to the 9 most popular ways to start and stop a maze

Part 2 - Maze Path options - Explores the 12 different pathway options for a maze

Part 3 - Conditional Path options - Speaks to 11 different conditional options to add to a maze to make it more enjoyable

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 Go & Return Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 33rd type of maze construction is the Go & Return 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.

Go & Return Maze - A maze where the start and goal are the same and the solver must travel to a specified area in the maze (the internal goal) and then return back to the start to exit. Often this includes the condition that the solver use a new pathway back than the one taken while entering.

How to Make a Go & Return 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 / Goal

For the below example I chose the start and goal of Cleveland which are the same for this construction of maze.

31 Go and Return - template.png

Step 2 - Add Directions and an Internal Goal

Add directions to the maze to tell the solver what they need to do in order to properly solve the maze. Because this includes visiting an internal goal before exiting, add that also.

31.2 Go and Return - Add drections and goal.png

Step 3 - Begin Drawing Walls

Starting from the entrance/goal begin drawing walls that lead in multiple directions. One of these will become the pathway to the internal goal and one will become the pathway back. You can see in the example below two pathways that will become part of the solution.

31.3 Go and Return - Start walls 2 ways.png

Step 4 - Create a Path to the Internal Goal

Continue to draw pathways, including some false ones until you have completed a pathway to the internal goal.

31.4 Go and Return - Create a path to object.png

Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Draw a pathway to connect the internal goal back to the entrance. Include false paths. This will create 2 different paths from the start to the internal goal, that can be used interchangeably for travel in either direction by the solver.

Ohio shaped go and return maze

Step 6 - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in red). Notice how there is no specific direction to the solution.

Ohio shaped go and return maze - solution

Additional Go and Return Maze examples

In this second example of a Go & Return maze I used the shape of a triangle which gives a natural internal goal of the top point for the solver before returning to the start/goal of the maze.

Triangle Go and Return Maze

This next example is very basic. It uses a normal square shape and a standard maze construction. Nothing fancy except the rule of how you must use different pathways to go and to return.

Go and Return Maze Example

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 Color Grid Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 32nd type of maze construction is the Color Grid 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.

Color Grid Maze - A type of conditional maze where movement between blocks is limited to a specific sequence of colors.

How to Make a Color 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. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio.

Ohio Map outline

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 the corner of NE Ohio and the goal in SW Ohio. 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 3 - Add Directions to the Maze

Explain the conditional rules that will dictate the movement of the maze solver through the maze and add these directions. In my example I chose to move from block to block using red, white, and blue. I allow movement in any direction so I do not need to explain any limits since there are none (vs some mazes that only allow N,S,E,W movements and no diagonals).

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the color condition you have chosen.

Step 5 - Create False Pathways (colored blocks)

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect options. Each block that you make a particular color needs to be considered - can this be used by the solver ? A completed color grid maze will always have one dominant color (in my example white) that helps create non-solutions to the maze more easily.

A color grid maze in the shape of Ohio

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 lime, with possible branches in pink). There will always be a third color that is dominant in the color grid (here white) that allows multiple different moves for what is essentially the same solution.

A color grid maze in the shape of Ohio - solution

Additional Color Grid Maze Examples

And here is another example of a Color Grid maze using the same convention to solve as above, by moving from red to white to blue blocks. However, this maze is in a more typical square shape and uses external start and goal (denoted by arrows).

Color Grid Maze example

For my next example, I use colors in greyscale for a black and white book I am working on. Here in my directions I spell out that the solver may move in any direction.

Color Grid Maze example #2

And a third example, also in greyscale that was made on a larger grid (12x12), making it more difficult.

12x12 Color Grid Maze example #3

I did a 3 part blog series on maze constructions if you want to design your own type of maze. Part 3 includes all of the conditional maze options.

Part 1 - Starting and Ending a Maze - Speaks to the 9 most popular ways to start and stop a maze

Part 2 - Maze Path options - Explores the 12 different pathway options for a maze

Part 3 - Conditional Path options - Speaks to 11 different conditional options to add to a maze to make it more enjoyable

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 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.

Ohio Map outline

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.

29 Puzzle Maze  - Draw the grid.png

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.

29.1 Puzzle Maze  - Directions.png

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.

29.2 Puzzle Maze  - Draw the Solution.png

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.

Puzzle Maze - shaped like Ohio

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).

Ohio Puzzle Maze Example

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.

Puzzle Maze example

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.

Puzzle maze with letters and numbers

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.

Complicated Puzzle Maze

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 Cover

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.