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How this Lockbox Made My 3-Year-Old Ask for Puzzles every morning


Imagine this: your three-year-old wakes up, rubs her eyes, skips the cartoons and cereal, and says:


"Can I do today's puzzle now?"

No begging. No screen time negotiations. Just a little human craving a logic challenge before breakfast.


Sounds made up? Let me walk you through exactly how we made this real in our home — with a steel box, a padlock, and a bit of code.




Who Am I and Why Should You Care?


Puzzles aren’t just a hobby — they’re my entire personality. I’ve got seven world records for solving 5x5 Rubik’s Cube blindfolded — check my WCA profile if you think I’m bluffing.



I’m also a programmer and father of two. And designing puzzles feels even more fun than solving them. Here are some of my creations:





A Seed Was Planted

Before my first daughter was even born, my wife and I explored child development deeply. One of the most impactful resources was the first 15 minutes from this lecture by Jesse McCarthy: https://youtu.be/sQ81UDWTVvE.


Ever since, I’ve been stuck on this one thought:


How can I embed mental and physical challenges into child's everyday life?

The Birth of the PuzzleTreat Box

One day, a brainstorming session on the same question sparked some crazy ideas:


  • Tying utensils together with laces

  • Locking toothbrushes in puzzle boxes

  • Creating elaborate obstacle courses just to open a closet


Then it hit me.


  • Kids love treats.

  • I love puzzles.

  • Why not lock the treat behind a puzzle?


Enter: PuzzleTreat Box. A simple system. A steel box. A padlock. A puzzle. A reward.




What You Need

1. Lockbox

I bought this one for $22 on Amazon. Search for: Lockout/Tagout Box. Make sure it has a hole big enought for a real padlock.


2. Padlock

Use one with a clear digit row. I got this for $5 and drew arrows with a black marker to highlight the number row to read from — helps small kids orient themselves.


3. Treat

Zero-sugar compressed fruit bars. Keep the variety high to keep the excitement high.


4. Puzzle

Printables generated by my custom puzzle generators. Links will be added soon.



Getting Started: Routine First, Challenge Later

First, forget puzzles. Introduce the padlock as a toy. Let your kid click it, turn it, explore it. Teach the simple idea:


There’s one correct combo. Only then it opens.


On Day 1, I taped "0000" on the box. That’s it. No puzzle — just a direct cue: match the lock, get the treat.



Leveling Up the Challenge

Once the routine clicks, you can gradually increase difficulty. Here's how we scaled:


Level

Example Combos

Description

0

0000, 3333

All digits same. No thinking, just motor skills practice.

1

2255, 7722

Two digit pairs. Easy pattern.

2

2261, 9941

Introduce more randomness.

3

9152, 8561

Four unique digits. Basic memory work.


Soon you can go wild:


  • Counting-based puzzles: concentric circles, count-the-dots

  • Reading-based puzzles: just spell out the digits

  • Grid-based logic: big reference grid with digits, four smaller copies with the positions marked

  • Equations (1+x=3) to encode each digit


But remember: this isn’t about your puzzle obsession — it’s about your kid’s experience. If frustration appears, level down and revisit the same puzzle the next day. And the next. And the next — until they crack it and beam with pride.





The Invisible Work: Emotional Setup

I can’t do it!

If your response is “Come on, just try again” — you’ve already lost.


This entire system only works if you:


  • Keep it playful

  • Jump in to help when needed (see this for clues)

  • Back off just enough

  • Adjust based on mood


Establishing positive associations is non-negotiable. Without it, the PuzzleTreat Box is just another task. With it, it’s magic.



Real Results

Weeks passed. Lina woke up and the first words were:


"Can I unlock the box?"

No cartoons. No whining. Just hunger — for challenge. She now anticipates for matrix logic puzzles and number sequences before brushing teeth.


This changed everything about our mornings.



Try It Yourself

Start simple. Stick to it. Keep it joyful. Soon, you’ll have a 3-year-old who solves puzzles before breakfast.


If you're ready to get started, check out the first printables below. I’ll be sharing more puzzles, tools, and advanced tips in future posts.


(TODO)



Got questions or thoughts? Leave a comment. This blog is a living project — and I want it to grow with input from other puzzle-loving parents.


 
 
 

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