How to Make a Line Leads Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 9th type of maze construction is the Line Leads 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. If you are more visual, check out the video of the making of a line leads maze at the end of the post.

Line Leads Maze - A maze where a set number of lines can be chosen that may or may not lead to the goal. Typically only one line will lead to the goal and finding it is a game of chance. The individual lines have no decisions and isolated are more like a labyrinth path. The goal of a Line Leads maze is to reach an object as the goal.

HOW TO MAKE A LINE LEADS MAZE

• (VERY Optional) Step 1 - Draw the Outline

Unlike most makes the line leads maze does NOT need an outline. In fact most Line Leads mazes do not have one. 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. I used Ohio ONLY so it could be compared to other constructions easily.

• Step 2 - Draw the Goal

A Line Leads Maze needs a drawn goal, typically centered on the page horizontally. Vertically the goal can be centered on the page or about a third of the way down to place it far from the starting points. For my example I centered a star as the goal. This goal really becomes the personality of the maze, so get creative and make it look good !

• Steps 3, 4, and 5 - Draw the Solution Line, Draw the False Lines, Number (or letter) the Lines

Unique to the Line Leads Maze is that the order of steps 3 , 4, and 5 are actually interchangeable.

Draw the solution line - Draw a line to the goal, twisting and turning the line in the maze to confuse the solver.

Draw the false lines - Draw lines that do not go to the goal. Make sure the lines dead end far from the goal, or loop between 2 starting points (As in 5/6 below). Ensure that the pathways of the false lines do not overlap with the solution line. They can certainly cross the solution line, but overlapping too much can lead to confusion of which line continues in which direction (you know it when you see it).

Number (or letter) the lines - Number the lines you have made to give the solver options. The more lines the more difficult it will be to find the correct one.

Because this maze uses an outline, I placed the lines around the outline, but it is very typical to place all of them across the top of the page.

• Step 6 - Complete the Maze

Complete the maze by making all of the lines one color. Make any final adjustments to maze lines if their paths are confusing for the solver.

• Step 7 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. Ensure you have not made any lines that are ambiguous when they touch each other. You can also just circle the correct number (or letter) that designates the correct solution of you are designing in black and white.

Additional Line Leads Maze examples

A more typical Line Leads maze, with no outline/border. This example also adds an additional step of captioning the maze with instructions.

And, yes these can get complicated….Check out this Line Leads Maze with 10 possible options ! I even have some with 18 options !!

My third example is here to show an option you should NOT use, pathways made of straight lines that change direction. Why ? Well, while I think I know where the maze maker meant to change directions of the pathways there are many places where this can become very ambiguous. Better to make pathways that are curved and more easily followed.

FREE DOWNLOADABLE LINE LEADS BOOK

A LINE LEADS BOOK

32 pages, 32 line leads mazes (including the cover)

File Size: 802 KB

Features each daily maze from March 2020. Line Leads mazes are all about the initial choice. Recommended for Kids of most ages !

MAKING OF A LINE LEADS MAZE VIDEO

Watch this quick video of the making of a Line Leads Maze.

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 Connected Dots Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 8th type of maze construction is the Connected Dots 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.

Connected Dots Maze - Can also be called Connected “any object” mazes. A maze created by connecting dots with walls to make pathways.

HOW TO MAKE A CONNECTED DOTS 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. Note: In a connected dots maze you may also start on step 2 and draw the dots first, using the dots to create your outline. Technically you can skip this step completely !

• 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 - Draw the Dots (or the object you are using)

Take the outline and fill it with dots. I like mine at equal distances away from each other, but there is no rule for that. The more dots you make the more paths you will be able to make allowing for a more difficult maze.

ALTERNATIVE STEPS: 1 - Draw most of the dots first. 2. Create an outer edge by connecting the outside dots. Continue to Step 3 below.

• Step 3 - Draw Walls to Connect the Dots

Draw lines between the dots to create the maze walls.

• Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls

Keep doing what you are doing. Remember to always leave a solution open to ensure solve-ability. Because this connected dots maze also has an outline you will need to connect some dots to the outline to create dead ends.

• Step 5 - Complete the Maze Walls

Completing the maze means creating a path to the goal.

I went back and added dots to the outline of the maze to give it a more authentic connected dots look. Here is the final version with those added. I think it looks much better ( or maybe authentic ?).

• Step 6 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution.

4 Additional examples of Connected Dot Mazes

Below is another example of connected dots maze, this one in traditional red and white Polka Dot colors. The scale of this maze and the above example are both easy, but they do not need to be.

In this second example, the smaller and more compact dots have been used to create a much more difficult maze. This maze also is a good example of randomly placed dots rather than having them placed in some sort of pattern.

My third example shows a connected dot maze made with a dot border instead of an outline. This is also a good example of the use of dots in a grid pattern.

My fourth example is here to show you that Connected Squares also work (triangles, stars, hexagons, bird shapes, etc). And the outline can be flexible with this format of maze, with this particular one much more chaotic than those above.

Making of a Connected Dots Maze Video

Check out this quick video showing the making of a simple connected dots maze.

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 an Axonometric Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 7th example with look at an Axonometric maze construction. 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, however this maze type is best utilized for items you want to give some depth to. A cube, and other 3-dimensional objects work best for this maze type. If you are more visual, make sure to check out the video of a cube maze being made at the end of the post.

Axonometric Grid Maze - This is a maze made using an axonometric grid. Typically these grids are used to draw 3 dimensional representations of objects like a cube. But, for maze making this just means drawing walls at the angle of the axonometric grid.

How to Make an Axonometric 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. Unique to my example is this outline is not actually made using the Axonometric grid, while 99% of creation WILL use the grid in this step.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati. I made an entrance in Cleveland but I usually wait until I am in the last stage of drawing maze lines to draw the exit point for the goal. This is in case I need to adjust the location slightly based off of my design. This works if drawing a maze digitally, but for a hand drawn maze the outline will need to have a pre-determined start and goal.

Step 2 - Determine your grid shape

When making a regular grid maze you are choosing the size of the grid boxes you will use. So a 20x20 grid is larger than a 10x10 grid. When choosing an axonometric grid you may choose the size, but more importantly is choosing the angles of the grid you will be using see the 3 examples below. The first grid uses angles of 20 degrees, the second 30 degrees, and the last 45 degrees (making essentially regular grids tilted at a 45 degree angle). My program defaults to 30 x 30 unless I change it and seems to work well for almost everything.

20 x 20 Grid

30 x 30 Grid

45 x 45 grid

Step 3 - Start Drawing the Walls

Using the axonometric grid pattern, begin drawing the maze walls starting at the entrance of the maze. Be careful to never close all open paths so the maze can be solved. As you make the maze decide how difficult you want to make it. A low amount of path choices, and short dead end paths will make an easy maze. Longer dead ends and lots of path choices make a more difficult maze.

Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls

Like most mazes the middle part of design is a lot of keep doing what you are doing a draw more walls moving possible solutions towards the goal.

Step 5 - Complete the Maze

Draw the final walls and draw the exit. You have completed the drawing of an Axonometric maze !

Step 6 (Optional) - Draw the Solution

While the correct pathway is fresh in your mind, draw the solution to the maze. This is especially important with more complex mazes. It can also be a check to make sure your maze has a solution and helps you determine how difficult it is.

Other examples of Axonometric mazes that highlight the construction:

The Stairs maze naturally works as it helps to give the maze dimension. Notice how the direction of the walls is consistent with the plane of the object to help give it the dimensional look. The Lemon Meringue Pie maze uses the construction to draw the maze at the proper angle to the picture. And of course, where the construction really shines is on the Cube Maze !

Stairs Maze

Lemon Meringue Pie Maze

Cube Maze

A very important design note not covered in the step by step above is to follow the direction of the object when making your pathways. This will give your object dimension and make for a better looking maze. Both of the below cubes were made using an Axo grid, but the one on the left follows the direction and flow of the object while the one on the right does not. Personally I think the example on the left is a much better maze. Imagine the Steps maze above if it did not use the objects flow to make the pathways.

Axonometric grids also serve as the base for geometric mazes that aren’t square or rectangular, like this example of a Hexagon maze. However, I do not consider this a pure axonometric maze, but instead an Escape Maze !

and this example of a triangular maze using the grid (again an Escape Maze!).

And sometimes the shape of the item lends itself to grid that is tilted at an angle. I really like this Kazoo Maze. How many kazoo mazes have you seen before ?

Making of an Axonometric Maze Video

Watch this quick video to get a sense of how an Axonometric Cube maze is 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 Cut-Thru Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 6th type of maze construction is the Cut-Thru 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.

Cut-thru Maze - While most maze constructions are made by building walls, a Cut-thru Maze is created by drawing the pathways, in a sense cutting thru the object you are maze-ing. The finished product can look like a standard maze where you travel on the walls instead of the pathways between the walls.

How to Make a Cut-Thru Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Object

A new first step. While most mazes start with draw an outline, this maze starts with Draw the Object. That may include an outline initially, but to get the object completed the outline should be filled in with color to create a surface to “Cut-thru”. The color can be changed later based on your preference. For my example I started used black.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati. Because this is a Cut-thru Maze you do not need to have a opening in the outline for the maze to start and end.

Step 2 - Draw the Solution

Use a contrasting color to draw the mazes solution, remembering that you are drawing a path and not a wall when creating this type of maze. I used a square grid to draw my path on but you could use other options as well.

Step 3 - Draw the False Paths

Starting with the solution path, draw lines to misdirect the solver to dead ends. The longer the false branches and more decisions that need to be made, and the more difficult the maze will be. Using a different color for these paths will help later when you make the solution.

Step 4 - Convert All Paths to White

Completing the maze means converting all paths you made to white (or any other single color you choose) to hide the correct solution..

Step 5 (Optional) - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. This will be very easy since that line was made earlier.

4 Additional Cut-Thru Maze examples

Below is another example of a cut-thru maze, a Tile Maze. This maze of a black and white tile uses the contrasting color of the tile to create the pathway you solve with. THe pathway switches colors from black to white based on the background color.

A second example of a cut-thru maze is the Record Maze. The solver must travel on paths cut-thru the black record to solve the maze.

For my third example I have this Pineapple Maze, to show that the background you use does not need to be solid, or either black or white as they are above.

Have you ever wanted to see a cut-thru Cheese Maze ? I have you covered with this next example. I wanted to show this example to illustrate that you do not need to use a standard grid to make this type of maze (although I typically use them anyway). The cheese is mazed using an Axonometric grid.

Making a Cut Thru Maze Video

Here is a quick video of a very basic cut thru maze being made if you are more visual.

You can check out a whole months worth of examples of cut thru mazes I made in June of 2020, now an archived page.

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.