Counting with a Block Maze and Remote Control Car

This activity combines two things my son loves – blocks and remote control cars. I also manage to sneak a little learning into the fun. We practice counting numbers 11-20, but you can easily adapt this for learning letters, words, or practicing math problems.

Counting with a Block Maze and Remote Control Car

Aiden was driving his remote control car around the house when he decided to build towers for the car to knock down. Such a fun idea on its own. This gave me the idea of creating a maze with the blocks for the car to navigate through. Aiden liked the idea and was eager to help.

He set out to build a path for Blinky {the remote control car} to traverse. The first path he built was not quite wide enough, so he adjusted the maze accordingly.

Eventually we came up with the maze design above. It is a basic square shape with some side paths and dead ends. The zebra found a home in the middle of the maze.

Adding learning to the maze is simple to do. Aiden is great with counting, but I’ve noticed he doesn’t consistently recognize numbers above 10. I added the numbers 11-20 to the maze by using masking tape. Blinky {the remote control car} must travel from number 11 to number 20.

Where there was a choice in which way to turn, I added extra numbers. Which number comes after 14? 8 or 15? If you choose 8, you run into a dead end. If you choose 15, you keep on going.

Before driving the car through the maze, Aiden traveled through the maze on his own. He jumped from one number to the next counting as he went. {He enjoyed this as much as driving the car through.} If you don’t have a remote control car, take anything through the maze – cars, stuffed animals, toys, or yourself!

You could easily use this maze idea to practice other concepts – letters, spelling, math problems, and more. How would you use the maze?

More Maze Ideas

• Create a giant cardboard box maze and play tunnel.
• Check out 20 more maze activities for kids.

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