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How to Create a Manual Maze

A manual maze is a maze that is made by hand or not generated by a computer program. Most types of manual mazes are simply drawn on paper with a pen or pencil allowing the imagination of the maze designer to plot out the shape and intricacies of the maze. Another type of manual maze is designed for two players and a marble. This design can be easily changed to transform the maze in a few minutes and it is a good choice for active children learning to work together as a team.

Things You'll Need

Plywood
Table saw
Large head nails
Hammer
Board, 1 inch by 2 inches
Miter saw
Finish nail gun
Carpenter's glue
Spray paint
Rubber bands
Marble
Push pins

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a piece of plywood 20 1/4 inches square. Measure 1/8 inch from each side and draw a line. Measure between your lines in 1-inch segments and draw vertical and horizontal lines to form a 1-inch graph.
- 2
  Nail a 1 1/2-inch large headed nail where the lines cross and along the outside lines where the lines end.
- 3
  Cut a 1 inch by 2 inch board to fit around the outside of the plywood, with the corners mitered at 45 degree angles using a miter saw. Apply glue along the outside edges of the plywood. Press the 1 inch by 2 inch boards to the glue and nail with finishing nails. Align the corners and glue and nail two finishing nails in each corner. Wipe off the excess glue and allow the glue to dry.
- 4
  Spray paint on the inside and outside of the box using several coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry for 4 hours.
- 5
  Wrap large rubber bands around the bottom half of the nails in a maze pattern. Place a push pin at the starting location and goal. Place a marble at the start point. One person lifts from each side and tries to guide the marble to the goal. Each team vies for the shortest time possible. The maze can quickly be reset for new matches.

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