Presentation

  1. 1

    Open the box and take out the pieces layer by layer, placing each layer in its own area on the table.

  2. 2

    Look at the lid and the pieces of the bottom layer.

  3. 3

    Build the bottom layer starting with the red cube in the corner and placing the prisms so black faces touch black faces.

  4. 4

    Build the middle layer, starting with the blue cube.

  5. 5

    Build the top layer, starting with the yellow cube.

  6. 6

    Check the top against the lid pattern and close the box.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Mix all pieces before building.
  2. Build outside the box.
  3. Build without looking at the lid.

Control of error

Black faces always touch black faces; the top layer matches the lid; the box only closes when the cube is built correctly.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Builds all three layers in the box
  • Builds outside the box
  • Builds with pieces mixed and without the lid

Guide note

Present only as a puzzle. Let the child take out one layer at a time at first if 27 mixed pieces are too many.

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.