Path Finder
Help the explorer navigate through obstacles to reach the star.
Click "New Map" to start.
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Request a ToolHow to Use the Path Finder Game
- Choose a grid size. Pick 6x6 for an easy map, 8x8 for a medium challenge, or 10x10 for a harder puzzle. Larger grids have more obstacles and longer paths.
- Click "New Map" to generate a puzzle. The game places an explorer in the top-left area and a gold star in the bottom-right area, with rocks and trees scattered across the grid as obstacles.
- Navigate the explorer. Click any adjacent cell (up, down, left, or right) to move the explorer one step. You cannot move diagonally or onto obstacle cells. Plan your route carefully to avoid dead ends.
- Reach the star. When the explorer reaches the goal, the game shows your total moves and the shortest possible path length so you can see how close to optimal you were.
- Print the puzzle. Use "Print Puzzle" for a blank grid showing start, goal, and obstacles. Use "Print with Solution" to include the shortest path drawn on the grid.
About the Path Finder Game
Path Finder is a navigation puzzle that teaches spatial reasoning and planning. Children learn to think ahead, evaluate options, and find efficient routes through obstacles. The game uses a breadth-first search algorithm behind the scenes to guarantee every generated map has a valid solution and to calculate the shortest possible path.
Every puzzle is generated in the browser using a seeded random number generator. No data is sent to any server. The game is safe for children with no external content, no chat, and no data collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every generated map solvable?
Yes. The game uses a breadth-first search algorithm to verify that a path exists from the start to the goal before presenting the puzzle. If no valid path exists, the map is regenerated automatically. Every puzzle you see is guaranteed to be solvable.
What does the "Shortest Path" number mean?
The shortest path number shows the minimum number of moves needed to reach the goal from the start. After completing the puzzle, you can compare your move count to this number to see how efficient your route was. Getting close to the shortest path is a great achievement.
Can I undo a move?
There is no undo button, but you can always move back the way you came. Each step counts as a move, so backtracking will increase your total move count. If you want a fresh start, click "New Map" to generate a new puzzle.
Can I print these puzzles for classroom use?
Yes. Click "Print Puzzle" for a printable grid with the start, goal, and obstacles marked. Click "Print with Solution" to include the shortest path. The printed output is clean and formatted for standard paper. You can generate and print as many puzzles as you need for free.