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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

How to Make a Number Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 30th type of maze construction is the Number 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.

Number Maze - A maze where moving from the Start to the Goal is done by following a series of numbers in a specific sequence. Examples are counting by 5’s, or by numbers that are divisible by 7.

How to Make a Number 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 more traditional maze uses a square or rectangle outline.

Step 2 - Draw a Grid

Draw a grid to fill the outline of the maze.

Step 3 - Choose the Start and Goal

I chose the large block in the north and a grid block in the far corner. 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 4 - Create the Solution

Make the solution to the maze based on the number system you have chosen, filling grids to create a path from the start to the goal of the maze.

Step 5 - Create False Pathways

Fill in any remaining blocks with incorrect answers, or short possible pathways that lead to dead ends. While a normal pathway is drawn to a dead end, a number maze uses possible numbers to create dead pathways. For a good example look at the 5 directly under the START. You may move left, right, or down to the 10 block. Two of these will become false moves.

Step 6 - Add Directions

Can be done at any time in the process, but must be done. Add directions to explain to the solver how they can move through the maze. In my example you can count by 5’s to move from start to goal.

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 Number Maze Examples

Here is another example of a Number maze (here called a counting maze) made for children. The structure is a more normal rectangle shape for a number maze and the start and goal are items, in this case a worm going to an apple.

The next example uses a slight variation on the number maze - using larger number to move forward in the maze.

Size and complexity can make a number maze complex. Use only Prime numbers (google search…). Here is larger maze using division.

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.