Picture maze facts for kids

On the first picture, the a picture maze looks like a traditional maze when it is unsolved. On the second picture, the answer path of the maze looks like a watering can.

A picture maze is a maze puzzle that forms a picture when solved.

Rules

Picture mazes require no special rules or learning. The rules are very simple:

• Draw a path from the entrance to exit of the puzzle, avoiding the dead ends.
• Fill the squares along the path to reveal the hidden picture.

Because of two rules, it is far simpler to reverse the process to solve this puzzle. Starting at a dead end, the path is filled until it reaches an intersection with three or more paths connecting to it. This process is repeated until all dead-end paths are filled, often showing the shortest path. On larger pieces, this is the only way to solve, as there are too many possible but incorrect paths, and chance of finding the correct path based on intuition, logic or simple luck is almost nonexistent.

Computer algorithm picture mazes

Using computer algorithms, picture mazes can be created at different difficulty levels by controlling the length and density of the false paths. There are picture mazes in various sizes, from small mazes of 25×25 and up to colossal poster mazes of 200×200.

Images for kids

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  A corn maze including a skull and crossbones

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  Figurative maze by Francesco Segala