NovDec_2012

Feature by: Ann “Tuttles” Sanders
Crafty
Puzzles
Photos by: Tim “Sawdust” Laynor
Way back when I was in elementary school, I can remember
borrowing a box of wooden matches from my Granddaddy
and challenging my family and friends to a host of puzzles
that involved rearranging the matchsticks. One great thing
about matchstick puzzles was I could perform them anywhere
I had a flat surface and someone willing to play along.
While the puzzles are still great fun, not too many folks carry a
box of wooden matches any more. Even if they did, you would
not want to give matches to members of your audience.
Yes, times have changed but fear not! There are plenty of
great matchstick substitutes such as beverage stirring sticks,
drinking straws, toothpicks and chopsticks. As you can see, all
you need are straight objects.
A quick shout out to all you table hopping clowns! Most of the
above suggestions can be easily found at a restaurant.
Here is a sampling of some of the many puzzles you can use to
challenge and entertain your audience.
Craft sticks are used in the examples.
Puzzle #1
Materials: Three sticks
The Challenge: Move two sticks
to change three into six.
The Rules: You can only move
two sticks and, while you can
arrange them any way you wish,
you cannot cut, bend or break any.
Page 42
The solution: VI is the Roman
number for 6.
The New Calliope