Think IQ 4-in-1 3D Luban Puzzle Set

Four ways to take something apart and then quietly regret it.

Luban puzzles are the Chinese relative of the burr puzzle, named for Lu Ban — the carpenter and engineer of the fifth century BC credited with the interlocking joint that holds them together. There are four here, moulded in translucent plastic in amber, blue, copper and rose, which is the clever part: you can see the interlock you're fighting with, and it doesn't help even slightly.

Each one separates into a handful of notched pieces and goes back together exactly one way. Taking them apart is the easy half, and the moment a solved puzzle collapses into a pile on the table is the moment you find out whether you were paying attention. The four use different geometries, so cracking one teaches you almost nothing about the next.

Perfect for: Office desks, waiting rooms, and anybody who has ever announced that they're good at this sort of thing.

4 puzzles | 1 player | Age 6+