A peg maze board is a wooden panel with a grooved track and a fixed peg. The user guides the peg along the groove from one end to the other. There are no instructions, no scoring and nothing that comes off.
The whole value of the format is that it makes a single movement repeatable and measurable. The setup never changes, completed passes are easy to count, and the difficulty can be raised by changing the track rather than the equipment. That is why the same object appears in a nursery, an occupational therapy clinic and a rehabilitation unit.
Four boards, four levels
All four are 45×45cm (18×18"). They differ only in the track, and that difference is the point.
The first three are single-track: the route is fixed and the task is purely motor. The geometry board branches, so the user chooses a path at each junction before moving. Same physical action, different demand.
How to choose
Start below the level you expect. A board that frustrates gets abandoned, and it is far easier to add challenge than to recover engagement. If you are unsure, the butterfly is the safe first purchase.
For a single child or adult, buy one and move up when it becomes routine. For a nursery, clinic or therapy room, two or three at different levels cover a wider range without new equipment.
For two-handed practice, the butterfly is the only symmetrical board - both wings carry the same track, so one hand can work each side.
For adult settings, the square spiral and geometry boards suit better: the tracks are more demanding and the shapes are neutral rather than childlike. See also our sensory wall panels for adults.
Who uses them
- Preschools and nurseries - table activity or wall station in a quiet corner
- Paediatric occupational therapy - fixed setup that stays the same between sessions
- Adult rehabilitation and neuro units - graded repetition with countable passes
- Memory care and residential settings - see our guide to activity boards for dementia
- Special education and sensory rooms - see our sensory wall panels for autism
- Waiting rooms and clinics - quiet, screen-free, nothing to lose. See our guide to sensory walls in dental clinics
- Home use - wall-mounted keeps the floor clear
What these boards do and do not do
We want to be straight about this, because the alternative is the vague benefit language that makes clinicians and educators stop reading.
A peg maze board is an activity and practice tool. It gives a person a defined, repeatable hand and arm movement, performed at a vertical or flat surface, with a setup that does not change between sessions.
A fair expectation. Repetitive task practice is an established component of rehabilitation programmes, but the research in this field evaluates complete programmes delivered by clinicians - not individual pieces of equipment. These boards are not medical devices, do not treat or cure any condition, and do not replace assessment or therapy. Any use within a rehabilitation programme should be planned and directed by the treating clinician.
Build and safety
- Solid natural wood, hand-sanded, rounded edges throughout
- Fixed peg - securely attached, no loose parts and no choking hazard
- Non-toxic water-based finishes
- Wipe-clean surface suited to daily use in shared settings
- Wall mounting hardware included; all four also work flat on a table
- Made to order by hand - track, size, colour and finish can be adjusted
For mounting height guidance, including seated and wheelchair use, see our notes on inclusive placement for all abilities.
Fitting out a therapy room, nursery or care setting?
We work directly with clinics, preschools, rehabilitation units and care providers on single and bulk orders. Graded sets - all four boards in matching colours and sizes - are available for therapy rooms and classrooms.
Custom designs
Every setting is different. We can change size, track layout, groove width, colour and finish, or build a graded set at increasing difficulty. The same applies across our sensory wall panel range.
Get in touch with what you need and we will suggest a configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which board should we buy first?
The butterfly, unless you have a reason not to. It has the widest curves and the simplest route, and it is the only symmetrical board, so it also allows two-handed practice. Move up to the sailboat once the track is followed deliberately rather than swept back and forth. For a nursery or therapy room buying more than one, butterfly plus square spiral covers the widest range.
Are these suitable for adults, or only children?
Both, but not equally. The square spiral and geometry boards suit adult settings better: the tracks are more demanding and the shapes are neutral rather than childlike, which matters in a rehabilitation unit or care home. The butterfly and sailboat are shaped for children. If you are equipping an adult service, start with the two neutral tracks.
What is the difference between a single track and a branching one?
On a single track - butterfly, sailboat, square spiral - the route is fixed and the task is purely motor. On the branching geometry board the user chooses a path at each junction before moving. If you want measurable repetition without route choice, stay with a single track. The branching board adds a decision to the same physical action.
Wall-mounted or tabletop?
Both work, and mounting hardware is included with every board. Wall mounting means working at a vertical surface, which engages the shoulder and wrist differently and keeps the floor clear. Tabletop suits bedside use, moving between users, or anyone who cannot reach a wall comfortably. Many settings start flat and mount once they know where the board gets used.
How are they cleaned in a shared setting?
The surface is sealed and smooth, intended for damp wiping between users, and there are no fabric or absorbent parts. They are not autoclavable and should not be soaked or cleaned with harsh solvents, which damage the finish over time. If your infection control policy specifies particular disinfectants or contact times, send us the details before ordering and we will confirm compatibility with the finish rather than guess.
Can we order a graded set or a custom track?
Yes. Because every board is made to order by hand, we can supply all four in matching colours and sizes as a graded set, or design a track to your specification - different complexity, groove width, dimensions or finish. Send us what you need and we will quote it.
Peg maze boards are activity and practice products, not medical devices. They do not treat, cure or slow any condition. Nothing on this page is medical advice — decisions about rehabilitation, therapy and suitable activities should be made with qualified professionals who know the individual.