Matchstick Puzzle Box

This collection of 20 puzzle challenges is exactly what you need to give your brain a quick workout. This set includes matchsticks, coins, and 20 puzzle cards with the challenges on one side and answers on the back, all stored in nice travel box. I hope you enjoy and if you make, please share any variations and improvements.

Assemble time: approximately 1 football game.

Supplies

I gathered all the materials and supplies from my local dollar store and spent less than $10 but you can easily substitute most items with what you have laying around. Everything just happened to fit perfectly in the box.

Here is what I used:

• 1 Small Wood Box Crate: 5 ½in L x 2 ½in H x 3in D
• 4 Wood Doorknob Craft Signs (cut to make 20, 3in x 2.25in cards)
• 10 Match Boxes (toothpicks, popsicle sticks, or regular sticks could also work instead of matches.)
• 6 coins
• 20 Matchstick Puzzle Card PDF
• Mod podge

If you have access to laser cutter and engraver you can really make some great looking puzzle cards much faster. (I’m still saving my pennies for one.)

Step 1: Create the Puzzle Cards

To create the Puzzle Cards, cut down the wood doorknob signs and give them a light sanding, rounding the corners. I was able to get 5 (3in x 2.25in) cards from one wood doorknob sign. Or you can save some time and use carboard or order these blank wood craft cards: Blank Craft Cards on Amazon.

I then assembled 20 of my favorite puzzle challenges on the attached PDF. I don’t have a laser cutter/engraver yet, so I opted for the old school mod podge transfer option, but you could also print out the PDF cards on thicker cardstock paper or glue them to the wood cards or cardboard.

Mod Podge Transfer to cards:

I printed a mirror image of the pdf (mirror image is important if you opt to do the transfer method), cutout each puzzle and mod podge them to the wood cards with the puzzle challenge on one side and the answer on the back. When dry, it’s time to get messy by gently rubbing off the paper with a damp rag. Be patient and don’t rub too hard. To be honest this took a while, you could just print them out normally and glue them to the cards, but I wanted that transparent engraved looked, maybe I’ll get a laser cutter for the holidays and make a better 2.0 version.

Step 2: Finishing Assembly

I stained the box and applied a matte varnish to the box and each card. I added 6 quarters to one of the matchstick boxes (since some of the puzzles incorporate coins.)

Step 3: Enjoy

Pull a card and challenge your friends and family! 

Step 4: Bonus Challenge

Remove the coin without touching the Matchsticks. 

Step 5: Extra Fun

If you solve all the puzzles you can build a fun card tower.