LOCK & KEY PUZZLE

Ages 8+ years      Single player games

Trick lock puzzles are mechanical puzzles designed to look like traditional locks but require clever, unexpected methods to open – much like performing a magic trick!

Choose from 3 different Lock & Key Puzzles from Project Genius®, each sold separately:

• GRECIAN TRICK LOCK – Crack Theodorus' ancient lock in this ingenious Greek puzzle.

Unlock the secrets of ancient Greek ingenuity with the GRECIAN TRICK LOCK, a puzzle inspired by the legendary inventor Theodorus of Samos. Over 6,000 years ago, Theodorus designed the padlock, or "Warded Lock," a groundbreaking mechanism so secure that even the most skilled thieves couldn’t crack it. Thought to be lost to history, this challenging design has been recreated to test your problem-solving skills. Your goal is simple yet deceptive: open the lock using the tools provided. However, as you’ll discover, it’s far from easy. Difficulty level: 3/5 

• EGYPTIAN PIN LOCK – Can you decode the lock that guarded the treasures of ancient Egypt?

  Travel back to the cradle of civilization and test your mind against one of history’s greatest innovations: the EGYPTIAN PIN LOCK. Based on the original pin tumbler mechanism developed in ancient Egypt, this clever puzzle challenges you to harness the same ingenuity that once protected pharaohs' treasures. The original design used a wooden bolt and a series of vertical pins that dropped into place—locking the door until a specially crafted key lifted them. This early security system laid the foundation for the modern locks we use today. Your mission? Align the pins and unlock the bolt using only the tools provided. It’s a simple concept with a satisfying challenge. The EGYPTIAN PIN LOCK blends historical brilliance with modern puzzle fun, offering a unique, screen-free experience for curious minds and budding engineers. Difficulty level: 3/5

• ROMAN LATCH LIFTER – Can you lift the latch, or will you be locked out of Roman secrets forever?

Step into ancient Rome and test your wits with the ROMAN LATCH LIFTER, a puzzle inspired by one of the earliest tools of security ever devised. Based on the authentic ROMAN LATCH LIFTER, this mechanical challenge brings history to life—right in your hands. Originally crafted from bronze or iron, the ROMAN LATCH LIFTER was used to lift bolts through keyholes, discreetly securing doors from the outside. Now, you can experience the brilliance of this early invention as you work to master its clever mechanism. Your mission: Lift the ancient latch and open the gate. Sounds simple? Think again. This puzzle is designed to deceive and delight, blending authentic design with brain-teasing fun for history buffs, puzzle fans and curious minds alike. Difficulty level: 4/5

Choose one Lock & Key Puzzle from the drop-down menu above. If your chosen puzzle is no longer available, we will substitute a different puzzle. 

Each Lock & Key Puzzle contains small parts that present a choking hazard and is not suitable for children under the age of 3 years.

TG471