My Favorite Mazes of 2020 (Time to vote)

December 15, 2020

In 2019 I posted a new themed maze each and every day. We voted on our favorites each month and at the end of the year we picked our 2019 Maze of the year ! I had fun learning what everyone liked and was often surprised by which mazes got votes and which didn’t.

For 2020 I switched things up. While I still posted a daily maze, each month had a themed maze construction type. At the end of each month I made a free downloadable mini book of the months mazes. Like this Line Leads Book from March. Or this Puzzle Maze Book from April. I really enjoyed making these mazes/books but they didn’t make sense for monthly voting for best mazes. I was able to post voting for May and June since those mazes had a lot of variety. But the rest of the months, nope.

So today I will present to you MY favorite mazes of the year (including ones not posted as a daily maze) and once again let you vote on which one you think should be the maze of the year !

#6 Smiley Face Weaving Maze

I made a lot of weaving mazes this year. Enough for 2 different 100 page books !! This is one of my favorites. A nice Smiley Face Maze.

#5 “Kitchen Sink” Arrow Maze

I also made a lot of Arrow Mazes. This is my favorite. I call it a kitchen sink because it contains an undefined Start/Goal (You need to figure out which is which), Warp Zones (to move across the maze), Double Moves (to jump grids and spaces). I think it’s a fun one !

#4 Jet Fighter Maze

The Jet Fighter Maze was posted to celebrate Aviation Maintenance Technician Day on May 24, 2020. The grid maze construction works well with this maze.

#3 Penny Maze

This US Penny Maze was posted for Lucky Penny Day on May 23, 2020. For a grid maze there are actually a lot of options, making the maze more difficult.

#2 Snowman Weaving Maze

I posted this one in December for the holidays. A new take on the weaving maze for me. I like it.

And my personal favorite from 2020 :

#1 Playhouse Square Sign, Cleveland, Ohio

I used this maze to show an example of maze art construction in a blog, I made it based on a photograph and to me it is my favorite maze of the year !!

You Might Like:

2019 Best of Review

Best of 2019 Mazes

My Favorite Maze and Labyrinth Videos

December 8, 2020

I go on YouTube sometimes and I get lost for hours. It really sucks my time away and stops me from getting things done. You’ve been there too ? At least with some of the things I watch I come away as a smarter person (Don’t I?). Well today I am going to use YouTube to my advantage. I’m going to use it to show you some of the wormholes I have gone down. And it’s all about mazes and labyrinths. So let’s get your algorithm ready to be changed !! First, you should check out my YouTube channel. I make and solve the weekly mazes in video form. Maybe even subscribe.

My Favorite Maze and Labyrinth Videos

Let’s start with a cat video because that is how the internet was invented (Probably). And the cute factor is high because it’s kittens !!!!

Now a quick feature on the Godfather of Mazes Adrian Fisher with some great aerial video of some of his work from around the world. Check out the thumbnail of this hedge maze !

Everyone loves a good countdown list, in a blog or a vlog. Here is a video showing the 15 Most confusing mazes in the physical world. As someone who makes mazes on paper and on screens I love and respect these large scale projects !

Oh, you thought we were done with cat videos. Nope. No. NO. MORE CAT VIDEOS !!!! I love the YouTube Channel Kittisaurus. If you like cats you already know this channel. highly recommended.

And let’s keep the animal theme going with a great Hamster Maze with some nice Super Mario theme work !

Time to look at some labyrinth videos ! While most of things I watch are fun and interesting I do like the occasional educational. With labyrinths that is a lot of what you find, like these 2 informational videos:

How about a top 10 list ? Got it !

Great thumbnail from VSauce.

And we have a video from National Geographic about mazes that features a maze at the National Atrium Museum in Washington DC.

And I just had to add this long video (all 44 minutes of it) from Forge Labs that features a giant haunted maze in Minecraft.

And you can’t have YouTube without MrBeast. Here are 2 videos of a $10K maze challenge. He also did a laser maze challenge !

I found this maze of a spider on YouTube and wanted to share it. This is really detailed and wonderful ! My personal YouTube channel has a way to go before I get to this but this gives me something to strive for ! It is by K Lars Lohn of Corvalis, Oregon, the owner of twobraids.art. While this video is impressive, check out his website for more amazing maze art !

And of course, while all of the above creators have millions of subscribers, I currently have less than 30. Here is a video of one of my mazes being made. I like it.

And we haven’t touched on corn mazes yet (called maize mazes in some countries). But I love to see them being made ! The problem is there are so many videos I like they get their own post !

How Corn mazes are Made - A Collection of Corn Maze Videos

Ok, did you enjoy our exploration on YouTube ? I did. Now your algorithm is nice a tilted towards this content. Expect to see much more of it now in your recommendations !

A Comparison of Possible 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth Constructions

December 3, 2020

Previously we looked at how to digitally make a 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth. Then I compared the 11 circuit labyrinths in circular, classic and square constructions. All of those findings also relate to 9 circuits. Today I will look at a few possible constructions of a 9 circuit circular labyrinth.

Let’s start with speaking about a classical labyrinth, which has a standard construction that is used. Learning how to draw that construction is standard across any source you might find. But, for a circular labyrinth there is no standard construction. If it is circular and the path moves from the outer edge to an internal goal in one continuous path, you have made a labyrinth. So when drawing one, you can get creative !! Let’s look at what some variations might look like.

Single Turn 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

Let’s start by looking at what a single turnback 9 circuit labyrinth would look like. Walking this would consist of long pathways, each getting shorter on your way to the center. Visually, not much going on.

2 Section 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

And now a version with 2 turnback’s, essentially breaking the labyrinth into sides. Walking this is more interesting with long walks getting shorter until you switch sides, then getting longer with a final long walk to the center.

3 Section 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

A now a standard 9 circuit broken into 3 sections. This could also have the entrance and final stretch pathways centered at the goal. My example only shows the final stretch to the goal centered. A little bit of mathematics - this is the only version where the initial pathway enters all the way into the maze. This would be the case for any odd numbered section circular labyrinth (like a 5 or 7 section - neither example is shown - try it !)

4 Section 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

And now the labyrinth broken into quadrants. Notice how the crossover point between the sides of the labyrinth is on the outside (a variation to my how-to). This is the more standard construction. But that side switch can take place in multiple layers if you want. This is the cleanest look IMO.

8 Section 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

Here we have an 8 section labyrinth. Things are getting crowded but there is still nice symmetry. If you had to walk this I think you would find it difficult to be relaxed since you are making turns frequently.

12 Section 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

And finally the final labyrinth construction I made, a 12 sectioned version. This version would make me dizzy if I tried to walk it. Luckily I only drew it.

4 Section 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth

Now let’s go back and look at the 4 quadrant variant I taught how to make previously. It is a variant because the outer paths turn only once while the inner paths turn 4 times. This variation or other layer switchbacks are possible on any circular labyrinth. Feel free to play around and make new designs as you create your own labyrinths.

Every single construction you saw today was a 9 circuit circular labyrinth. Here is a look at the 6 main versions together:

6 different 9 Circuit Circular Labyrinth Construction options

As you make your own circular labyrinth realize that you can make any of these or as I did, a mix a few of them together. Good luck and happy labyrinth making !!

If you prefer making a different labyrinth, I have a section of step by step labyrinth making instructions.

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.

How to Make a Math Maze

November 24, 2020

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 40th type of maze construction is the Math maze (a variation of the Number maze). Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. This maze type is not conducive to outline or shapes so I will use a traditional grid like pattern to illustrate the creation.

Math Maze - A type of number maze where moving from the Start to the Goal is done by correctly answering math problems to move in the correct direction.

HOW TO MAKE A MATH MAZE

Step 1 - Draw the Outline Structure

The outline structure of the math maze should include spaces for math problems with multiple possible pathways branching away from it that will include possible answers. Problems can be housed in circles, bubbles, or any other shape you find interesting. My example includes the most common shape - rectangles. You can download 10 free templates here.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

No surprise these will typically be on opposite ends of most structures. Remember to leave room in the START square for a math problem ! I always make the final space the GOAL with the last answer leading the solver to it.

Step 2 - Start Adding Math Problems

Unlike most mazes, the Math maze starts with a problem in the first square. In my example I use addition and subtraction of positive and negative numbers, a common problem that is easy for anyone to get incorrect, not just new learners (but especially new learners).

Step 3 - Add possible plausible answers

In my example using the addition and subtraction of both positive and negative numbers besides the correct answer there are very common wrong answers. Those should go on the other possible pathways. For the START problem the 3 most common answers are 19 (correct), 1 and -1. If you wanted to lead a student to the correct answer you could use obviously incorrect possibilities like 5 and 7 (but then it would not be challenging). For the second problem there are 8 possible answers (really 7 if you do not consider the path you arrived on). Each number used is a possible answer based on common mistakes so the solver really needs to understand what you are calculating to get the answer correct !

Step 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the math problems and correct pathways.

Step 5 - Create False Pathways

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect answers, and alternative math problems. If you want to steer students/solvers towards PAST missed answers you can make the false pathways they have taken CORRECT for the next answer by reverse engineering the next math problem, essentially returning them on the pathway they just came from. This will make the student move back and forth between the two problems - hopefully realizing something must be wrong !

3 x 4 math maze using addition and subtraction

Step 6 - (optional) Add Directions

Add directions to explain to the solver how they can move through the maze if you believe it is needed. Most math mazes are self explanatory.

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 Math Maze Examples

The most difficult thing about making a math maze is the math ! Here is a second example of a Math maze adding in multiplication and division to add difficulty and really test comprehension of the order of operations !

4x3 Math Maze example order of operations — Math Maze based on the order of operations rules

Here is a second example of a math maze that is a bit more complicated than it initially looks. All you need to do is move from start to finish, summing each number you pass over. In order to reach the goal correctly you must reach the number 25 exactly from traversing the maze. So while there are no math problems so solve, there is one large math puzzle. The making of this is very different from my step by step instructions above, so it has it’s own How to Make a Math Addition Trail Maze post.

And finally if you are looking for a resource that can help you determine what math problems go with what grade level I suggest you check out the Math Worksheet Center.

For my last example I want to make sure you know about Area Mazes. Called a maze, but actually a type of logic puzzle from Japan created by Naoki Inaba. Used to teach Japan children mathematics and logic. Solving requires calculating the area of a rectangle, often multiple times. Also called Menseki Meiro. If you would like to try to solve some, online area mazes can be found here. Or if you want to read my review of 2 Area Maze books, check this out.

In the below example (you are trying to find the area of the blank box) you would first solve the wall under the # 12. You solve the equation 4 * X = 12. So X = 3, meaning the bottom left side of the square has a length of 3. Now you can solve using the 3 and the 21 to calculate the length of the left side of the square above the 4. Solve 3 * X = 21. The answer is 7. Continue this to solve the Area Maze.

MATH MAZE OR NUMBER MAZE ?

There are a few examples that fall into a grey area between what I call number mazes and what I call Math Mazes. Number Mazes aren’t so much about doing math as counting by a certain number, like 7 in the first example below. You can learn how to make number mazes here. The next 2 examples are probably math mazes but if you called them number mazes I would not fight you. The middle example you need to understand which numbers are divisible by 3 to solve (seems like a math maze to me). The last example you need to know what an even number is and strategically move to a higher even number to solve the maze (number maze?). My point is you can get creative depending on what you are attempting to teach !