Maze Games for Kids

Maze games challenge kids' ability to find correct paths and routes.maze image by Raimundas from Fotolia.com

Maze games give kids the chance to explore different directions and paths, while simultaneously testing their patience and will to maneuver their way out of a maze. Kids who enjoy a challenge and can handle some frustration can engage in a number of online games that put them on the path to maze success.

Game Design's Maze

A robot-like character tries finding the escape door in "Maze," accessible at the Game Design site. Players press the directional arrow keys to move, and collect tools to help them in their mission: clocks, which give players more time; keys, which open doors; hammers, which break down walls; and maps, which let players view the full maze. Players finding the escape door before time elapses advance to the next stage. If players do not find their way out of the maze before time runs out, the game ends.

After falling through a trap door while exploring an Aztec pyramid, duck Max McDrake tries finding his way out of a dark maze in "Maze Crazy," accessible at the Just Kids Games site. As players move from one square to another, the darkness disappears, allowing players to see where they're going. Players have limited air, food and water, which they use up as they travel through the maze. To replenish their resources, players collect air, food and water symbols throughout the maze. Should players walk across a treasure chest, they must answer a multiple-choice question. The game ends if players lose all of one or more resources, or if players reach the end of the maze at the bottom right of the screen.

Players try beating a red ball to the flag at the end of a maze in "A Maze Race," accessible at the Primary Games site. Pressing the directional arrow keys moves the green ball in those respective directions. Players advance to the next level if they beat the red ball to the flag; should the red ball make it to the flag first, the game ends. Also available at Primary Games, "A Maze Race II" pits ladybugs against each other. Players press the directional arrow keys to move the red ladybug and reach the food before the green ladybug gets there. Along the way, players collect items such as hammers (to break down walls) and arrows (which show players the route they must follow). Players advance to the next level if they beat the green ladybug to the food. Should the green ladybug reach the food before players do, the game ends.

Guiding a red ball, players try making it to a yellow star quickly and with as few moves as possible in "Maze," accessible at the Primary Games site. Players press the directional arrow keys to move. Should players need help getting through the maze, they may click "View solution" at the upper left of the screen.

While exploring a dinosaur cavern, Zipper the dog needs help finding secrets in "Zipper's Cave Maze," accessible at the National Geographic Kids site. Players press the arrow keys to move through the maze and the space bar to open doors. Players collect bones to discover dinosaur facts and complete a dinosaur skeleton; keys to open special doors; and treasures to boost their score. Upon falling into a hole, or colliding with creatures, lava or spikes, players lose a life. Players advance to the next level upon reaching the end of a maze. The game ends when players lose all of their lives.