Squares are sawed from thin stock or plywood, then lettered and colored as above. Right, how the box is made.

HERE is a block puzzle that will intrigue the lone player or furnish exciting fun for a group, as there will be keen competition to find who can help Uncle Sam beat the Axis in the fewest moves.

At the start, with the blocks arranged in the position shown in the drawing at the top left, Uncle Sam is in an uncomfortable position. The Axis foes hem him in with planes above and submarines below, and his own Army and Navy are outflanked and disorganized. The problem is to remove the center Victory block and slide the others about into the position shown in the photograph at the right above, where Uncle Sam is supported by the strong pillars of his Army and Navy, and the Axis foes are broken and surrounded. Only the Victory block may be lifted bodily from the board; all the others must be slid into position.

Saw out 25 blocks from 1/8" stock or plywood. Upon these paint the letters or glue

Uncle Sam emerges victorious as the blocks slide into the position shown above. His Army and Navy support him, outflanking his broken foes on them white paper on which the letters have been printed or drawn. Suitable ones can perhaps be cut from a newspaper or magazine. Then color certain of the blocks as indicated, leaving the others white. This, appropriately enough, makes Uncle Sam and his Army and Navy red, white, and blue, while his enemies are yellow and orange.

The puzzle can be worked on any flat surface, but is far more satisfactory if fitted into a box such as the one shown above.

Here's a puzzle you can make yourself

Play it alone or with a group

Toys, party favors, or desk accessories that catch the eye and fancy are made from tiny bits of scrap and pencils.

CHILDREN are fascinated by these colorful pencil toys. They also make amusing party favors or desk accessories, even for adults. If the craftworker will use his imagination, he can turn out special designs, such as the bristling cat, that are appropriate for Halloween and other festive occasions. Figures can be copied from magazines, comics, children's paint books, and various other sources.

Round or hexagonal pencils, bits of dowel, scrap wood, and wooden wheels from discarded toys are the only materials required. If small wheels are not available, slices sawed from a dowel will serve. The traffic-signal and lamp-post bases are turned or whittled. Sheet metal is bent to shape for the street sign, painted blue, and lettered in white. Disks of colored paper form the traffic lights.

Olive drab is the approved color for the cannon. Four tall stacks lend an amusing touch of exaggeration to the factory, which is painted bright red and his black windows crosshatched in white. The smokestack pencils are gray for 21/2" from the top, and red below. Use a bright color for the carpet sweeper.