How to make a Grid Chalk Puzzle
GRID CHALK PUZZLES
(Difficulty level: easy to medium)
Put away the paper and phone for a moment and utilize that outside wall or pavement!
Here’s a chalk puzzle you can add to your next adventure:
Answer is backwards so you can try to solve the above yourself first: !emit erutnevdA
Overview:
You can use diagonal, up, down, left, right, and even use letters more than once. Just be sure to highlight which letter to start with (unless you want to increase the challenge to hard mode).
You can draw the starting letter with one uppercase Letter, make it Bold or colored, or make one letter different somehow
Answer: Under table
Here’s a secret message left by my spouse.
You can use this style for a secret message or the next location for your scavenger hunt.
Here are several ones ready to use:
Answer: SHOWER
Answer: WELCOME MAT
Answer: UNDER KITCHEN SINK
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN:
Choose a short message or answer.
Count the letters of the message. You may need an even number so remember you can add punctuation.
Determine where you are going to place the message.
If the location already has ‘squares’ then use that grid. (skip #4, go to step 5)
If you are going to draw the grid yourself, go to step 4.
Choose a grid that you will fill-in with letters.
The simplest is two rows with however many columns that you require: i.e. 2x4 (8 letters), 2x3 (6 letters)
Other examples: 3x3 (9 letters), 3x4 (12 letters), 4x4 (16 letters), and so forth
On paper, or using a grid on your computer (I like to use Excel), make your grid and then try to fill in the letters to make your puzzle. You may need a few tries before you succeed- I certainly did.
Save your puzzle on your computer or take a picture of it with your phone so you have it ready for drawing on-site.
***Side note: This puzzle is suggested for use at home. Check up on your local city’s rules for chalk art before drawing on public or private property that is not your own.
Have you drawn any secret messages on the ground for your adventures? How did it go?
We'd love to hear all about your adventures on the Constructed Adventures Subreddit, or tag us on Instagram using the #ConstructedAdventures! If you want any help with your adventures, playtesting your puzzles, or just wanna chat, come join us on the Constructed Adventures Discord!
Until next time,