Back to activities

Indoor activity

Magnetic Maze Runner

Draw a maze on paper, place a paper clip on top, and guide it through using a magnet hidden underneath — like magic!

Ages 3-10 0-1 hours Education 8/10

Materials

  • Cardboard Boxes optional
  • Magnets
  • Markers
  • Paper
  • Paper Clips

Illustrated Steps

1

Draw Your Maze

Draw a winding maze path on paper with START and FINISH circles. Make the path wide enough for a paper clip.

2

Create Your Character

Bend a paper clip to stand up as your maze runner. Add a tiny paper flag or cape for fun!

3

Set Up the Magnetic Guide

Place the maze on thin card. Hold a magnet underneath and move slowly — the clip follows like magic!

4

Challenge Mode!

Make harder mazes with dead ends and themes. Time yourself and race against family!

What You’ll Create

It’s like magic — but it’s SCIENCE! 🧲 Your little scientists will draw a maze on paper, place a paper clip “character” on top, and then move a magnet underneath the paper to guide the clip through the maze without touching it. The paper clip slides and spins as if moved by an invisible hand — absolutely mesmerising to watch!

Have fun!

  • 🏁 Race two paper clips on two mazes at the same time!
  • 🎨 Draw themed mazes — guide a spaceship through asteroids or a fish through coral!
  • 📚 Tell a story as you guide the clip — “first we pass the dragon’s cave, then the enchanted bridge…”
  • 🔬 Test which magnets are strongest — which can work through the thickest cardboard?

Why It’s Amazing

  • Magnetism: Children experience magnetic force through materials — an invisible force they can control and explore. 🧲

  • Planning & Strategy: Navigating a maze requires looking ahead, planning turns, and backtracking from dead ends. 🧠

  • Fine Motor Control: Moving the magnet smoothly and precisely underneath requires careful hand movements. ✋

  • Creative Design: Drawing mazes combines art with logical thinking — the maze must be solvable but challenging! 🎨

Pro Tips

For ages 3–5: Draw a very simple path (no dead ends, just curves). Use a strong magnet for easy movement. Let them feel the “magic” of the paper clip moving — pure wonder!

For ages 5–8: Introduce dead ends and multiple paths. Have them draw their own mazes for someone else to solve. Experiment with different paper thicknesses.

For ages 8–12: Challenge them to design multi-level mazes on stacked card layers. Introduce the science — magnetic fields, poles, and which materials magnetism works through. Can they make a maze that requires collecting “keys” (other clips) along the way?

Secret Pro Move: Stack two or three paper clips together for a taller “character” that’s easier to see from above, and use a neodymium magnet underneath — the stronger pull makes the movement smoother and more responsive! 🧲