# Mardi Gras Bead Maze
> Lay strands of Mardi Gras beads on the floor to make a maze, then guide a toy pet through it to a prize waiting at the end. Kids can rebuild it again and again in new combinations.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/a-maze-ing/
- Ages: 3–7 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep 5 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group
- Skills: problem-solving, spatial-reasoning, creative-play, fine-motor

## Materials (one batch)
- Mardi Gras bead necklaces
- 1 piece Small toy pet to travel the maze (household)
- 1 piece Play-food cookie prize (optional)

## Substitutions
- Instead of mardi gras beads: LEGO or wooden blocks (The post notes there are tons of homemade mazes built with LEGO and blocks.)

## Safety
- Bead necklaces are a strangulation and choking hazard. Supervise closely and keep strands away from babies and toddlers.
- Keep beads out of mouths and wash hands after play.
- The cookie prize is a play-food cookie made from Model Magic. It is not food.

## Steps
1. Clear a patch of floor and lay the bead strands down to make the paths of a maze.
2. Put the prize, like a play cookie on a plate, at the end of the maze.
3. Set the toy pet at the start of the maze.
4. Guide the toy through the paths to find its way to the prize. Cheer it on!
5. Move the beads around to build a new maze and try again.

## Tips
- Let the kids lead. This one came all from Big S, end to end, and it was special because it was her own project.
- The maze entertained her for hours while she tried many combinations of mazes.
- When the toy can never find its way home, kids may want to step into the maze themselves. Keep an eye on the beads when that happens.
- A reader loved that building doesn't have to involve bricks. (from readers)

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2012)

Being hands on kind of mom, I try to foster as much creativity as possible through play. To encourage such, just like many of you, I set up the play scene with invitations/play prompts whatever you want to call it. While the kids lead the play after wards, I still feel that I played a big part. Having said that, I still am going to continue setting up play prompts because there is so much learning and fun involved in such activities ( if such invitations are taking up that day) But there are many days when the kids completely stump us with their own thought out “project” I mean end-to-end. Right? Today’s post is one such. Introducing Mardi Gras Maze There are tons of homemade mazes with legos,blocks etc out there. But this one came all from Big S, so it is special to me. Our new favorite – favorites change often in our house – is mazes. ‘S’ can’t get enough of them. She loves it and it is our favorite on-the-go game. It keeps her busy in the car and I don’t have to hear a whole lot of “ Mom my belt is too tight” or the infamous“ Are we there yet?” or “ Mom Lil S is spitting on me “ ( Smallie she loves to blow raspberries and since she is rear-facing – her aim is pretty good ! ) It was one of those good mornings, the girls were playing in the living room and the air was filled with laughter and giggles (ah the serenity when one of those hard- to-come- by- mornings happen) There was this other sound too, it was our very own zhu-zhu pet. His name is Mr. Mouse. Big S was cheering : “Go on Mr. Mouse. You can do it. Find your way, this way, no,no no.. This way… oh no… Mr. Mouse” Laughter and Giggles and Squeals. I peeked in to see what all this fun was about. I was elated with what I saw. Big S had created a maze and had Mr. Mouse in it and the poor fella had to find his way home. And what better way to lure him to his home - she had a cookie waiting for him. Stuff she used : Mardi Gras Beads from her bins Zhu-Zhu pet [The Model Magic Cookie she made](https://www.funlittles.com/make-your-own-play-food/)  The maze entertained her for hours while she tried many combinations of mazes. She soon grew tired of Mr Mouse because he could never find his way home. Last resort- " Now its your turn Lil S, get into the maze. " Alrite, time to step in –" Who wants Popsicles ???!!! Shared on [Kids Co-op](https://www.funlittles.com/a-maze-ing/) [The Sunday Showcase](https://inspirationlaboratories.com/the-sunday-showcase-my-top-5/) [Notimeforflashcards](http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/) [Tuesday Tots](https://rainydaymum.co.uk/best-books-for-toddlers/) [Kids Get Crafty](http://www.redtedart.com) [It's Playtime](http://www.theimaginationtree.com)