# Pen Playgrounds The Maze Pen Makes Your Meetings More Interesting By Tisah Tucknott | Published 2009-06-25 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playgrounds-the-maze-pen-meeting References: [officeplayground](http://www.officeplayground.com/mazepenltblue.html) & [craziestgadgets](http://craziestgadgets.com/2009/06/24/maze-pen-keeps-your-meetings-interesting/) The Maze Pen is the perfect writing utensil to have during long conference calls and boring meetings. Each pen is equipped with a [mini maze with little metal balls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balance-maze). Watch time fly by trying to get the balls from one end of the pen to the other! I know I would spend hours trying to figure out this puzzle pen. **Implications** - Workplace diversions are nothing new, but modern [novelty utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zenith7-desk-pen) feature concealed games, such as mazes and other [mental puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slidergamemackey), that are appropriate for use right out in the open. These items make excellent gag gifts for overworked office workers and students who aren't allowed to use their smartphones in class. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Novelty Pen Tools:** Opportunity to develop more writing utensils with concealed games and mental puzzles - **Office Diversions:** Opportunity to create more items that serve as distractions or stress-relievers in the workplace - **Interactive Utensils:** Opportunity to integrate games and puzzles into everyday objects to increase engagement ### Who This Affects Most - **Stationery and Office Supplies:** Industry can develop new product lines featuring game-embedded writing tools that cater to different types of customers - **Corporate Gifting:** Industry can create customized versions of novelty pens and other office diversions as gifts to clients and employees - **Education Technology:** Industry can create similar puzzle-embedded items like novelty pens to promote engagement during classroom lectures ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Transparent Fountain Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maze.md) - [Gamified Writing Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/otona-no-yaruki-pen.md) - [Magnetic Toy-Like Writing Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnetdabbles.md) - [Floating Futuristic Writing Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levitating-pen.md) - [Sci-Fi Space Station Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maze-game.md) - [Off-Kilter Desktop Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-pen-holder.md) - [Korean Game-Inspired Desk Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-desk-accessories.md) - [Tetrahedral Desk Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/desk-puzzles.md) - [Optical Illusion Fidget Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mezmocoin-infinity.md)