Shut the Box Puzzles

Shut the Box Puzzles

To make these puzzles you need empty matchboxes.

The tray of the box is glued to the outside of the sleeve.

Then the challenge is to shut all the boxes, so every sleeve has a tray inside.

Puzzle 1

Take 4 matchboxes and glue the tray to the sleeve like this.

You will then have four identical pieces.

Now try and shut all the boxes.

If you use the correct method you do not

need to bend any of the boxes or use force .

Here is one of the shapes you can make.

But there are two more. Can you find them?

Puzzle 2

Now this should be easy

Glue the trays and sleeves from four boxes like this.

Can you find three ways of shutting the boxes?

Puzzle 3

Now glue the trays and sleeves of 4 boxes as shown here. Each piece is the same.

Can you close all the boxes?

There are two ways, one of which is tricky.

Puzzle 4

Another 4 box puzzle but this time with 6 possible solutions!

Make two pieces like this and

and two like this.

Now try and close the boxes.

Here is one of the 6 different solutions to start with.

Lucifer Puzzles

Here are a set of puzzles some of which are of “devilish” complexity.

Create a set of 6 pieces by gluing the sleeves and trays from 6 boxes as shown here:

4 Box Puzzle

Use pieces 1,2,3 and 5 and shut the boxes

5 Box Puzzles

Use Pieces 1,2,3,4 and 5 to make 5 different shapes.

Here is one finished shape.

Solution (A)

6 Box Puzzle

Can you now use all 6 pieces and close the boxes.

Here is one solution.

Can you make three more?