How to Design a 3D Cube Puzzle
There are people who enjoy solving puzzles, and then there are people who enjoy creating puzzles. Whether you're creating a massive word search or a 500 piece puzzle, the joy comes in having another person attempt to discover the solution. For a spatial puzzle, you can create a three-dimensional cube puzzle, where players will be asked to fit different pieces together in an effort to form a complete cube. The more pieces, the more difficult you can make your puzzle. Just be sure you can solve the puzzle yourself.
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Instructions
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1
Decide how many smaller blocks will make up your puzzle. A cube measuring three by three will require 27 blocks, while a four by four cube will require 64 blocks.
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2
Gather together the blocks that will make up your cube. Wooden blocks can be purchased at a craft store, or you can use any other small, cube-shaped object such as building bricks or dice. The blocks should measure no more than two inches on any side.
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3
Stack the blocks until they form your cube. For your reference, there are nine blocks in each layer of a three by three cube, and 16 blocks in a four by four cube.
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4
Remove one group of between three and five blocks from the cube. Each block in the group should touch at least one other, but don't take them all from the same layer.
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5
Apply a small amount of craft glue to the face of each block that connects to another in the group. Attach them together to form a piece of your cube puzzle. One example can be an "L" shaped grouping three blocks high with an additional block protruding from the side.
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6
Take another group of blocks from your cube and attach them together with your craft glue. Repeat until you end up with between seven to 13 pieces. Depending on the size of your cube you may have more or less pieces.
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7
Allow the glue to fully dry on all of your pieces. Paint each piece a separate color to add more visual flair to your puzzle.
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8
Give the pieces to a friend and have them attempt to form a cube out of every piece. You will find there are several solutions with the pieces you've created.
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Tips & Warnings
Puzzles can be made less complicated by first painting the exposed sides of each block before creating your pieces. Players will know these painted sides must be facing outwards on their completed cube.
