The Maze Runner Activity - Spend The Night in the Maze Fun Simulation Game
This immersive and interactive The Maze Runner activity invites students to step directly into the role of a Glader and experience the pressure of navigating the Maze firsthand. In The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Runners must make quick decisions, stay focused under pressure, and navigate constantly changing conditions in order to survive. To help recreate the atmosphere of the novel, teachers dim the classroom lights and guide students through a high-pressure simulation experience with timed maze challenges. This classroom activity recreates the intensity of spending a night in the Maze in a fun and engaging way, challenging students to complete a series of increasingly difficult maze tasks before time runs out. As they work through each round, students experience the pressure and urgency of surviving in the Maze as some are eliminated during Griever attacks while others successfully emerge as skilled Runners. By the end of the activity, one student is crowned the “Keeper of the Runners” after being first to complete the final maze challenge.
This is included in a unit plan:
>>> The Maze Runner Unit Plan
Included in The Maze Runner Activity - Spend The Night in the Maze Fun Simulation Game:
➡️ Teacher Instructions: These clear, step-by-step instructions walk you through how to set up the simulation, build atmosphere, run each timed challenge, and guide reflection and discussion. The pacing, timing, and transitions between rounds are all outlined so you can confidently lead the activity from start to finish.
➡️ Classroom Poster: This bold poster introduces the “Spend a Night in The Maze” and helps set the tone as students enter the room. Display it on your classroom door or board to build anticipation and reinforce the idea that students are stepping into a high-stakes challenge.
➡️ Teacher Slideshow: The ready-to-use slideshow guides the entire night in the maze simulation, including a scripted introduction, timed maze prompts, success and failure outcome slides, and final reflection questions. It keeps the activity organized while building urgency and immersion throughout.
➡️ Student Maze Worksheets: Students complete a series of increasingly difficult maze challenges under timed conditions (30 seconds, 45 seconds, and a final round). These tasks simulate the pressure and fast decision-making required to navigate the Maze.
➡️ Runner Reflection Handouts: After the simulation, students reflect on their experience by identifying their emotions and explaining whether they would be successful as a Runner using specific examples from the activity. This helps students connect their experience back to the novel in a meaningful way.
How The Maze Runner Griever Night Simulation Activity Works:
- Set the scene by displaying the poster and using the slideshow introduction to place students in the role of Gladers training to become Runners. Dim the lights to build atmosphere and emphasize the danger of the Maze.
- Guide students through a series of timed maze challenges using the slideshow, increasing difficulty as you go and following outcome slides for successes, failures, and penalties. Conclude with the final maze, where the first student to finish earns the title of “Runner.”
- Have students complete the reflection handout, then wrap up with a class discussion connecting their experience to the challenges, pressure, and decision-making required of Runners in the novel.
This activity is ideally used after Chapter 21, when students have a clear understanding of the dangers of the Maze and what it takes to be a Runner.
If you like this, you'll love this resource:
>>> A Year of English Bell Ringers
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