Crossed or Uncrossed?

This lateral thinking puzzle invites groups to discover hidden patterns and think outside the box. Crossed or Uncrossed transforms a fun circle game into an engaging journey of discovery and insight. Perfect as a fun large group game, it naturally generates laughter and excitement while participants work together to unlock the secret behind this intriguing challenge.

Crossed or Uncrossed – Lateral Thinking Puzzle

1. Sit in a circle, including yourself.
2. Each person aims to identify what the ‘key’ is to unlock the secret to this puzzle.
3. Sitting with your legs crossed, start by passing two sticks to the person on your left (or right) and say “I PASS THESE STICKS TO YOU CROSSED. HOW DO YOU RECEIVE THEM?”
4. As your neighbour receives the sticks, they are required to respond that they are either receiving them crossed or uncrossed (there is only two options.)
5. Then, invite your neighbour to repeat your example, and pass the sticks to their neighbour, and so on.
6. This is the key: No matter how the sticks are positioned as they are passed, or received, the ‘key’ will always be related to how the legs of the people are situated at the moment they pass or receive the sticks.
7. For example, the sticks you receive may, in fact, be crossed, but you will say “I RECEIVE THEM UNCROSSED” if at that moment your legs are uncrossed.
8. As each person passes the sticks and attempts to uncover the key, correct any flawed responses.
9. Continue to offer more and more obvious clues until everyone has identified the key.