The Explorer Puzzle Subscription Box - Skilled Mechanical Puzzles for Adults
Ready for the Next Challenge?
The Explorer sits right in the middle of the Kubiya Games Puzzle Subscription.
It's designed for solvers who already enjoy puzzles and want something more challenging, but aren't necessarily looking for the extreme difficulty of our Thinker tier.
Each month, we select 1 to 2 mechanical puzzles, generally rated Level 3 to Level 4 out of 5. You may receive an interlocking wooden puzzle one month, a metal disentanglement challenge the next, followed by a packing puzzle, take-apart mechanism, or another type of mechanical brain teaser.
The idea is simple:
Keep exploring.
Different materials. Different mechanisms. Different ways to think.
What Comes in Each Explorer Box?
Each monthly shipment includes:
- 1 to 2 mechanical puzzles
- Difficulty generally 3 to 4/5
- A mix of wooden and metal puzzles
- Solution guide
- Display stand
- Free U.S. shipping
Most monthly boxes contain two puzzles, although some may feature one larger or more premium challenge.
What Does Level 3 to 4 Difficulty Mean?
Explorer puzzles are designed to make you work for the solution without immediately throwing you into expert territory.
Depending on the month, your puzzles may challenge:
- spatial reasoning
- interlocking movement
- packing and assembly
- disentanglement
- hidden or unexpected movements
- take-apart and reconstruction
- observation and patience
Some may take only a short time once you discover the central idea. Others may stay on your desk for considerably longer.
Difficulty is part of the experience, but variety is what makes Explorer interesting.
Discover Different Types of Mechanical Puzzles
One of the best ways to become a better solver is to stop solving the same kind of puzzle.
Someone who is great at packing puzzles may struggle with metal disentanglement. A solver who understands interlocking wooden puzzles may be completely stopped by a simple-looking take-apart mechanism.
Explorer introduces you to different puzzle families so you can discover where your strengths are, and where they aren't.
Over time, you'll build both your solving skills and your puzzle collection.
Wooden and Metal Puzzles
Explorer boxes include puzzles made from both wood and metal.
Wooden mechanical puzzles often explore interlocking structures, packing problems, geometric constructions, and burr-style mechanisms.
Metal puzzles can use cast forms, tighter movement, disentanglement, trapped objects, and mechanical relationships that feel completely different in the hand.
You don't have to choose between them.
Explorer lets you experience both.
Who Is The Explorer For?
The Explorer is a good choice for:
- Intermediate mechanical puzzle solvers
- People who already enjoy brain teasers
- Hanayama and metal puzzle fans
- Wooden puzzle enthusiasts
- Spatial thinkers and problem solvers
- Adults and teens ready for more challenging puzzles
- Anyone unsure whether they're ready for the Thinker tier
If beginner puzzles are becoming too easy but expert-level challenges still feel like a big jump, Explorer is probably the right place to start.
Choose Your Subscription
One-Time Box
Try one Explorer box without committing to multiple months.
3-Month Subscription
Three monthly boxes prepaid in advance.
6-Month Subscription
Six months of new mechanical puzzles and different solving styles.
12-Month Subscription
A full year of puzzle discovery and the best value for committed subscribers.
All subscriptions are prepaid and do not auto-renew.
When Does My Box Ship?
Explorer boxes ship at the beginning of each month.
Free U.S. shipping is included.
Does the Subscription Automatically Renew?
No.
Kubiya Games subscriptions are prepaid for the term you choose and do not automatically renew.
When your term ends, the subscription ends. If you want to keep exploring, simply purchase another term.
Can I Cancel Early?
Yes.
If you cancel a prepaid multi-month subscription before the end of the term, the remaining months can be refunded after deducting the value of boxes that have already shipped.
Explorer or Thinker?
Choose Explorer if you want challenging mechanical puzzles in the 3 to 4/5 range and enjoy discovering different puzzle types.
Choose Thinker if you're already an experienced solver and specifically want our hardest monthly challenges, typically rated 4 to 5/5.
Not sure?
Explorer is the more balanced choice.
Keep Exploring
You won't know exactly what puzzle is coming next.
That's part of the experience.
One month may play directly to your strengths.
The next may introduce a type of puzzle you've never tried before.
Pick it up. Try the obvious move. Discover why it doesn't work.
Then start exploring.
Subscription Details
| Feature | The Explorer |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Intermediate / Skilled |
| Difficulty | 3 to 4/5 |
| Puzzles Per Month | 1 to 2 |
| Materials | Wood and metal |
| Solution Guide | Included |
| Display Stand | Included |
| U.S. Shipping | Free |
| Auto-Renewal | No |
| Terms | One-time, 3, 6, or 12 months |
| Shipping Schedule | Beginning of each month |
Solve the puzzles!
We decided to try solving a puzzle every month as a household challenge and this subscription has it all, with great puzzles that are very challenging and fun to have around.
Wife loves the challenge - she will probably solve them all and move to the next level.
If you enjoy mental challenges, I highly recommend this subscription. I don't usually write reviews but I found this experience to be exciting and mind-blowing. I definitely recommend checking it out.
I got the 6 month subscription for my dad. Now he calls me every time a new puzzle arrives :)
I love mechanical wood, math and jigsaw puzzles. This box is the best gift I have received in a long time. I am so excited for the next box to arrive.