Monthly contributor post from Kristen at Celebrate Every Day with Me:
If you have never drawn a maze for your kids, you are about to find out how utterly simple it is. Throw some blank paper in your bag because this will be your go-to activity for occupying the kids’ attention when you need them to be still and quiet.
Over the last few years, I have probably drawn a hundred mazes for my children. I used to draw them for kids I was babysitting. In fact, I remember drawing them in high school for friends (Don’t worry, I’m sure I only did it during study hall… a’hem!).
You don’t need any fancy drawing skills, just a sheet of paper and a dark pen or my favorite, a sharpie marker. Are you ready to start?
How to Make a Fun Maze for Your Kids:
1. Draw an Outside Border. You will need a border to keep your maze contained and therefore, less confusing for little ones.
2. Create a Start and Finish. My kids love following a maze that involves them. I either write my kids names/initials or draw a quick picture of them at the start leading to an animal or favorite toy. The above picture is my daughter off to find a dog…well ok, it kind of looks like a pig….
3. Start Drawing the Maze. You’ll want to continually open up new options and depending on the skill of your child, close them off either quickly or draw it out a bit. I am usually working with two paths and quickly close one off.
4. Keep Drawing. Go back and forth, make crazy turns. Just remember to keep your options open as you draw. Be simple or get creative. For a little fun twist, I have also drawn my kids’ initials into the maze.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
5. Finish the maze off and let your kids enjoy your work.
You’ll love how mazes can challenge and occupy your kids. And the more you make, the easier (and quicker) it becomes. Who knows? Maybe before long, you’ll be adding your own creative touches to make the mazes more fun for your children.
Have you made mazes for your children before? What kind of DIY activities do you give your kids to do when you need them to be quiet for a bit of time?
Kristen of Celebrate Every Day With Me is a fun-loving mom to two kids who keep her busy and laughing. Add her great husband and the Lord to the mix and her life is one fantastic (and sometimes crazy) adventure. She is a former youth leader, professional wedding and event planner and has a degree in Christian Thought/Christian Ministry. She loves long lists, diet soda and playing jokes on her husband.
Kristen is the author of Teach Me To Serve: 99 Ways Preschoolers Can Learn To Serve & Bless Others. On her blog, you’ll find fun ideas for children’s activities, creating memorable moments and party planning.
Dineen says
I would love to do this. I’ll admit I have not tried to put pen to paper yet, but I am a bit confused with step 3. I don’t understand what is meant about drawing two paths at once. I wish there were more detail (or even photos) between steps 3 and 4.
Kristen says
Hi Dineen, I’m sorry for the confusion. In the picture before Step 3, you’ll see that I have two openings in the maze. I can choose which I want to be the winning path (making it successfully to the finish). Creating these “forks in the road” will keep it interesting as your child makes choices which way to go. But ultimately, there should be only one winning path.
When I’m drawing for my 8 year old, I lengthen the paths that lead to nowhere. For my 6 year old, I don’t carry those dead-end paths very far. It would be too difficult for her.
In the picture before Step 4, I am working on a path to the right, but I have kept my options open with that opening on the left side of the page. Personally, I decided which one will “win” as I go. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
~ Kristen
Kristen says
Dineen, I also just realized that video didn’t show up in the post. Right below Step 4 is a link to my video that shows more pictures. Maybe this will help.