How to make a printable maze

Mazes for a party bag, a worksheet or a rainy afternoon, at whatever difficulty suits.

Choose a size, generate, print. Every maze has exactly one path from entrance to exit.

Step-by-step

1. Choose a size. This is the main difficulty control.
2. Generate, and regenerate freely until you get one you like.
3. Print, with the solution on its own page.

Choosing a size

• Ages 3–5: around 8×8, with wide corridors.
• Ages 6–9: 12×12 to 16×16.
• Ages 10+: 20×20 and beyond.
• Adults who want a real one: 30×30 upwards.

Size raises difficulty faster than it looks, because the number of dead ends grows with the area rather than the width.

Why there is exactly one route

The maze is built as a spanning tree — every cell reachable, no loops anywhere. That structure guarantees exactly one path between any two points, so there is a unique solution and no shortcut.

It also means the wall-following rule works: keep one hand on the same wall and you will reach the exit, eventually. Loops are what break that rule, and there are none.

Printing

Line weight is set for ordinary printers; very large mazes on a low-resolution printer can blur, so drop a size if corridors are hard to distinguish. Black and white throughout.

Frequently asked questions

Is there always a solution?

Yes, and exactly one. The maze is generated as a spanning tree, which guarantees a single path between any two cells.

Does hand-on-the-wall work?

Yes, because there are no loops. Following one wall consistently will always take you to the exit here, though not by the shortest route.

What size for a five-year-old?

About 8×8. Younger children get more from finishing a small maze than from struggling with a big one.