In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 35th type of maze construction is the Letter 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.

Letter Maze - A type of conditional maze where the pathways are formed by letters that need to be chosen in a correct sequence, or of a particular type to form a path to solve the maze.

HOW TO MAKE A LETTER 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 typical letter maze is square or rectangular in shape.

• Step 1.5 - Choose the Start / Goal (optional now)

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and decided to choose the goal after completing the solution. As with any gridded maze the start and goal can be either internal or external to the outline. In my example I used external.

• Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Draw a grid to fill the outline of the maze. Many of these mazes will be grid shaped squares and rectangles.

• Step 3 - Create the Maze Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the letter system you have chosen, filling grids to create a path from the start to the goal of the maze. In my example below I will be using vowels to move the maze solver from grid to grid.

• Step 4 - Create False Paths

Create false paths by filling grids with possible branches off the main solution that lead to dead ends.

• Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect or unusable letters, in my example below consonants.

• Step 6 - Check for Unwelcome Words

Any time you make a letter maze you should return back to it after completion to check for curse words. No need for me to make a list…

• Step 7 - Add Directions

Can be done at any time in the process, but must be done. At directions to explain to the solver how they can move through the maze. In my example you can use vowels to move between blocks.

• Step 8 - 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 Examples of Letter Mazes

Here is another example of a Letter maze. The structure is a more normal square shape and the start and goal are internal rather than external.

Letter Maze Solving Tip

One way to solve a large Letter Maze like the above is to eliminate the false answers by filling them in with black marker (or by covering with an X). This will leave only the good grids that could create a pathway leaving the solution apparent (most likely).

Comparison to a sister maze type - The Hidden Message Trail Maze

Now I want to tell you about what happens when you combine a Letter Maze with a Hidden Message Maze. This creates what I call a Hidden Message Trail Maze. While this can include clues and even an outline of word lengths, solving and reaching the goal involves finding the right phrase. Is it up and to the right “There are…”, continuing down, “The Beard…” or to the left “The Best”. So there is a solve needed beyond the “follow on the rules” of a standard Letter Maze. Hidden message mazes also can come with clues and letter lengths to help the solver discover the correct wording.

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.