We’re so excited to introduce a brand new printable resource that targets multiple skill areas in one fun and engaging activity! Our Printable Mazes for Kids are designed to support kids’ development in fine motor control, visual motor integration, cognitive processing, and language skills—all in one easy to use printable pack!
Whether you’re a therapist, teacher, or parent, this activity is a simple and effective way to support a wide range of developmental goals. Plus, kids LOVE them because they don’t feel like work!
What Are Fine Motor & Language Mazes?
These aren’t your typical mazes. Our pack of printable mazes includes printable pages where children solve simple mazes by dragging a pencil through the maze while “carrying” a picture on a paperclip. But that’s just the beginning!
Each maze includes visual images of everyday objects, animals, foods, or other thematic concepts. The goal? Drag the picture through the maze and land it in the correct category at the bottom of the page based on a concept such as: farm animals vs. zoo animals, fruits vs. vegetables, things that fly vs. things that don’t fly, and more!
This multi-layered activity taps into problem-solving, reasoning, and vocabulary all while engaging those small muscles in the hand!
Why mazes?
Mazes are a staple in many therapy settings for good reason:
–Fine Motor Skills: Maneuvering a pencil or marker through narrow pathways builds precision and control.
–Visual Motor Integration: Kids must coordinate what they see with how their hand moves.
-Executive Functioning: Kids plan, problem-solve, and stick with a task from start to finish.
–Language and Cognitive Development: By sorting images based on function, category, or concept, children are working on vocabulary, comprehension, and reasoning.
And of course, they’re FUN—especially when combined with the novelty of our paperclip technique!
The Paperclip Trick: A Game-Changer for Engagement
Here’s what makes these mazes stand out: Instead of just tracing a path with a pencil, kids attach a cut-out picture to a paperclip and use their pencil to move it through the maze. They place the tip of the pencil in the small opening of the paperclip, and as they move the pencil, the picture travels with it.
This tiny twist makes a huge difference in engagement. Kids suddenly feel like they’re guiding a little object through a journey—they’re more focused and eager to finish!
Perfect for Collaboration Between OT and SLP
This resource is ideal for co-treatment sessions or when you want to target multiple goals at once. Occupational therapists can focus on grip strength, bilateral coordination, and visual motor control, while speech-language pathologists can zoom in on categorization, vocabulary, and other language concepts.
These mazes also work beautifully in classrooms and at home—no special materials needed other than scissors, paperclips, and writing tools!
How to Use (and Create!) the Printable Mazes for Kids
Step 1: Print and Prep
Print the maze pages on regular paper or card stock. Cut out the small image cards and tape one to each paperclip.
Step 2: Navigate the Maze
Kids can place their pencil into the small opening of the paperclip to “drag” the picture along the maze path. Children guide the picture through the maze, aiming to place it in the correct destination at the bottom of the page (e.g., a labeled box that says “Food” or “Toys”).
Step 3: Talk It Out!
As they play, ask kids to name the item, describe its function, or brainstorm more examples from the same category.
Step 4: Mix It Up
Change out the images, use dry erase pockets for reusability, or turn it into a race with two kids working side-by-side!
A Must-Have for Your Therapy or Classroom Toolkit
This resource is so much more than meets the eye. It’s creative, collaborative, and easy to implement with materials you already have on hand. Whether you’re working on motor skills, language development, or cognitive flexibility, these mazes offer a fun and functional way to support the kids you work with.
Ready to give them a try? Grab your copy today and get those paperclips moving!
