In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The third example we’ll look at is the grid maze construction. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every how-to will use a simple square so you can compare the differences between each maze construction type. I will also show a consolidated secondary how-to using an irregular shape (the state of Ohio).
Here is an outline for this blog post with jump links if you want to skip ahead to a section'.
HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape
ADDITIONAL GRID MAZE EXAMPLES:
GRID MAZE DEFINITION
Grid Maze - Uses a standard grid construction to create the walls. Gaps in the grid walls are created at right angles to make pathways. The maze solver needs to make choices in each grid box on where to continue to next. Exiting a grid box can take place in 4 different directions, with one being the way you entered the grid.
THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN:
These 5 rules apply to any maze you make so we start with them !
1. Always keep an open pathway for the solution
While drawing a maze you will need to juggle multiple open pathways each of which could become the solution. One of them will become the solution. Keep track of it. This is especially important if you are designing pathways in both directions (from the start and from the goal).
2. Clearly mark the start and goal, or the objective of the maze
A maze should have a start and a goal that you can assess just by glancing at it. There are many ways to start and end a maze I review in this blog post: Options for Starting and Ending a Maze
3. Ensure the difficulty matches the intended audience
Most people want to solve a puzzle/maze that is just slightly below or slightly above their skill level. Many things help determine the difficulty of a maze. Size, number of branches, the length of dead ends, the number of choices, the complexity of the rules (if the maze has them).
4. Ensure your maze has a solution
When your maze is complete, solve it to determine the difficulty level and to ensure it is a real, solvable maze. Depending on the complexity of the maze you may want to do this right away or wait so you can properly assess the difficulty.
5. Explain anything that needs explaining
Some mazes have rules or conditions. Explain them with directions. If it isn't obvious, make it so.
HOW TO MAKE A 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. I used a simple 10x10 grid.
Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal
For the below example I chose internal start and goal. As with any grided maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline.
Step 2 - Draw the Grid Design
If you have an irregular shape, a guitar, jet, Ohio, etc. You first draw the outline of the object, then make a grid inside it, with the size of the grid helping determine the difficulty. A grid with more blocks has more possible pathways. In our example we skip this step because the square grid is already created essentially - see the Ohio example below.
Step 3 - Draw the Solution
Drawing a grid maze digitally means determining the solution you want before determining the false paths ! Despite drawing the solution path first, this does not necessarily mean you are also choosing the difficultly level also. Dead end branches can still be short and obvious (easy) or long and difficult. Notice how this pathway is centered in each individual grid. I used my design tip above to do this, taking my grid size and cutting it in half to guide my construction.
Step 4 - Draw the Dead Ends
Draw the dead ends, which determine the difficulty of the maze. Short paths will be easier than long paths. False paths that have additional false branches off of them will be harder to solve than those that do not. In the example below I used the color blue to differentiate the dead ends from the solution. This will also help later when you create a solution.
I also suggest you read: Maze Design Case Study - Designing a Grid Maze in Different Difficulty levels for a more in-depth look at drawing to a specific difficulty level.
Step 5 - Convert the Path Lines to White
To complete the maze you convert all the pathways you made through the grid to white. The final maze looks much more intimidating in this final form. The structure of the equal grids means the maze doesn’t have a typical “flow” look to it that allows following of pathways more easily. This is also a good time to check to see if your pathways are wide enough for the presentation you are using. With a digital maze you can easily change the widths of all pathways quickly.
Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution
You already have drawn the grid maze solution in step 3, now re-highlight it in the final maze construction for your maze solver. You could also use the step 3 as the solution but it would not have the dead end pathways shown.
The grid maze is very versatile for many different object shapes and allows you to fill any type of object.
HOW TO MAKE A GRID MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape
Here is the original step by step maze done in the shape of Ohio. Use the next controls to watch the maze get made, then see the solution.
Step 1 - Draw the Outline - I drew Ohio and added a start at Cleveland. I put an Arrow near Cincinnati but did not officially make that the goal until I draw the maze.
Step 2 - Draw the Grid - Fill the space with a grid, the size of your choosing based on difficulty you want.
Step 3 - Draw the Solution - Nothing too special. I drew in the maze from start to finish.
Step 4 - Draw the Dead Ends - Here you can determine how difficult the maze is.
Step 5 - Complete the Maze - Simply convert all pathways to white to match the background.
Step 6 - Draw the Solution
ADDITIONAL GRID MAZE EXAMPLES:
Before we get into 5 different additional examples, if you would like to read a case study on How to change the difficulty level when making a grid maze, I wrote about it and think you may find it helpful to improve your maze making ability !
The first additional maze example is the most simple. A square shaped 11x11 grid maze. All pathways are centered. The square shape makes this a maze that can be made very quickly.
My second example of a Grid maze, is a grid maze of the word grid. Notice that the grid boxes are much smaller, making for a more difficult maze. I also did not use the half grid pathway trick so the pathways are not all centered. This does help hide some possible exits as you move through maze. On my screen the scale is too small for solving, but it prints larger and is solvable.
And here is a third example of a grid maze, a US cent maze. I think a grid maze also works well when there are many curves in the object you are maze-ing. Here, the face of Lincoln on the penny and the lettering becomes part of the wall structure. Drawing many line walls here would take much longer because of the detail. Again, I did not center my pathways. As a color maze the pathways you draw need to be the same color as the background.
My fourth example was a natural fit for using a grid maze construction. The first maze I posted as a daily maze was this Crossword Puzzle Maze that I made for National Crossword Puzzle Day. Really, this is perfect time to use this construction.
The fifth example of the grid maze is this Fighter Jet maze. I include it here as an example of a maze with many complicated, small spaces to work between. The internal drawing of the wing details, the jet engine, the cockpit and the generally slender features make this a interesting challenge to maze. Using a grid maze seems to work well here.
START AND GOAL OPTIONS
I want to take the time to show you some of the many options you have for starting and ending the maze. I did not use any labels above, but arrows are pretty standard. You have other options as I outline in Options for Starting and Ending a Maze. Here is the above maze but using 3 more choices to for the start and goal. You have options !
FREE DOWNLOADABLE GRID MAZE EXAMPLE BOOKLET
A booklet of 14 simple black and white grid mazes. No cover. Just a a small collection to have fun with.
GRID MAZE TEMPLATE
If you want to try making a grid maze with a bit of help, try one of this downloadable template. Just add lines between the half drawn walls (+) to create the maze walls ! Since this is not digital you will create the maze as you go instead of using the steps above.
MAKING A GRID MAZE VIDEO
Here is a quick video showing the making of a simple grid maze. Notice that after the grid has been drawn, before I draw the pathways I make the guide grid half of what it was (32 seconds). This type of maze can be made quickly once you get the hang of it.
Additional Posts 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, I also have a section of step by step instructions.
