Penny Maze
I'm presenting here a pocket-sized puzzle in the first of several versions, depending on your skills, materials, tools and target audience.
In every version, though, you drop a small coin in one slot, and need to get it out of the other slot.
This first version is quick and easy to make (it took me less than thirty minutes from idea to finished item), and small enough to keep in a pocket. It is also perfect for making with children, as a diverting way of filling an afternoon.
In every version, though, you drop a small coin in one slot, and need to get it out of the other slot.
This first version is quick and easy to make (it took me less than thirty minutes from idea to finished item), and small enough to keep in a pocket. It is also perfect for making with children, as a diverting way of filling an afternoon.
Materials
To make the "easy" version, you need thick card, something to cut it, and something to glue it. If you are using a craft knife to cut the card, a metal ruler is also very handy.
The card needs to be as thick as the coin you design it for.
Almost any glue will do the job - PVA, glue-stick, etc.
Note: when it comes to cutting out the parts of the maze, a laser cutter would be very handy. It would also make it a lot easier to make larger, more challenging versions.
The card needs to be as thick as the coin you design it for.
Almost any glue will do the job - PVA, glue-stick, etc.
Note: when it comes to cutting out the parts of the maze, a laser cutter would be very handy. It would also make it a lot easier to make larger, more challenging versions.
Design
For the most simple version of this maze, you need three pieces of card, identical in size. For coins like the US dime or UK 5p piece, something slightly larger than a credit card makes a good size. Rounded corners will resist damage in your pocket.
In the middle layer, draw a path across the card. It's up to you whether you include dead-ends or not.
In the middle layer, draw a path across the card. It's up to you whether you include dead-ends or not.
Make
Cut it out, and glue the maze parts to one of the outer layers so that you can test the route.
If you look carefully, you can see in the photos that I had to trim some sections of the maze for the coin to fit - this was largely due to the thickness of the pen I marked the route of the maze, which, in turn, was because the pencil markings didn't show well in the photos.
Once you are happy with the route, glue on the other layer.
As far as Making goes, that's it, but you can also decorate the maze, painting it, or wrapping with coloured paper.
If you look carefully, you can see in the photos that I had to trim some sections of the maze for the coin to fit - this was largely due to the thickness of the pen I marked the route of the maze, which, in turn, was because the pencil markings didn't show well in the photos.
Once you are happy with the route, glue on the other layer.
As far as Making goes, that's it, but you can also decorate the maze, painting it, or wrapping with coloured paper.