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How to play Labyrinth: on your turn, slide the spare path tile into the board to shift the maze, then move your playing piece along the open paths toward your secret treasure. Collect all your treasures and return to your starting corner to win. These rules follow the official Ravensburger rulebook for The aMAZEing Labyrinth, including the one restriction that trips up new players.
The box these rules cover: Labyrinth (Ravensburger)
The Ravensburger Labyrinth is a family maze game for 2 to 4 players ages 7 and up. It costs about $38.
Price band: $30+ (about $38) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Labyrinth at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 to 4 |
| Ages | 7 and up |
| Game length | About 20 to 30 minutes |
| In the box | Game board with 16 fixed path tiles, 34 loose path tiles, 24 treasure cards and 4 playing pieces |
| Goal | Find all your treasures, then return to your starting square |
Setting up Labyrinth
- Shuffle the 34 loose path tiles face down, then place them face up on the empty spaces of the board to make a random maze.
- One tile will be left over. Put it face up next to the board. This is the spare tile you will slide in on your turn.
- Shuffle the 24 treasure cards and deal them evenly to all players. Each player stacks their cards face down without looking.
- Each player puts a playing piece on the starting corner of the same color.
- Everyone looks secretly at the top card of their own stack. That is the first treasure to find.
The rulebook says the last player to go on a treasure hunt goes first. Most families just let the youngest player start. Play continues clockwise.
How a Labyrinth turn works
Every turn has two steps, always in this order.
Step 1: Move the maze
There are 12 arrows around the edge of the board. Pick one, and push the spare tile into the board at that arrow until a tile pops out on the opposite side. That tile becomes the new spare for the next player. You can turn the spare tile any way you like before you push it in, which lets you choose where its paths point.
You must move the maze every turn, even if you could already walk to your treasure without changing anything.
Step 2: Move your playing piece
After the maze shifts, you can move your piece as far as you like along connected paths. You can stop on any square you can reach without a break in the path, or you can stay where you are. Pieces do not block each other, so several pieces can share a square.
The one move you are not allowed to make
You can’t push the spare tile back in at the same spot where it was just pushed out. This stops players from simply undoing the last player’s move. A handy trick from the rulebook: leave the pushed-out tile next to that arrow until the next player uses it, so everyone can see which spot is blocked.
What happens to a piece that gets pushed off
If the tile you push out has a playing piece on it, that piece does not leave the game. Move it to the other side of the board and place it on the tile you just pushed in. This does not count as that player’s move.
Finding treasures and winning
When you reach the square with the treasure shown on your card, flip that card face up next to your stack and look at the next card. On your next turn, head for that treasure. If you can’t reach your treasure this turn, move to a spot that sets you up well for next time.
When all your cards are face up, you must get back to your starting corner. The first player to collect every treasure and return home wins.
Labyrinth rules for younger children
The rulebook includes an easier version. Deal the treasure cards as usual, but each player lays their cards face up. On your turn, you can go for any of your treasures, in any order. Once all your cards are flipped, return to your start to win. This makes planning much easier for 5- and 6-year-olds.
Labyrinth strategy tips
- Look at where the spare tile will go before you push it. A good push can open a path for you and close one for the player who is closest to winning.
- Turn the spare tile before you insert it. The direction of its paths often decides whether you get through.
- Remember that a piece pushed off the edge wraps to the other side. Sometimes riding a tile off the board is the fastest way across.
- If you can’t reach your treasure, move toward the middle of the board, where you will have the most options next turn.
If you have a younger child, My First Carcassonne is another gentle tile game that teaches the same kind of spatial thinking. It costs about $30. For more family picks, see the best family board games.
Labyrinth rules FAQ
Do you have to move the maze in Labyrinth?
Yes. You must slide the spare tile in every turn before you move, even if you could reach your treasure without it.
Can you push the tile back where it came out?
No. The spare tile can’t be inserted at the same spot where it was just pushed out.
Can two pieces be on the same square in Labyrinth?
Yes. Pieces don’t block each other.
How do you win Labyrinth?
Be the first player to find all your treasures and return to your starting square.
What age is Labyrinth for?
The box says ages 7 and up, for 2 to 4 players. The younger-children variant works for kids around 5 or 6.
