Here is a really fun puzzle.
Amaze your friends by 'hooking' the rubber band in the bottom.

Tricky Hook game. All the parts. Position the rubber band on the dowel plug. Glue in the plug then cut off the excess rubber band.

Detailed Instructions
*********** WARNING***********
Read my page on safety before building this item.

Materials needed:
Any wood will work for this simple - fun project.
Materials needed:
6" long piece of scrap wood at least 3/4" x 3/4"
6" long piece of 1/2" dowel.
One rubber band.

Construction:
1. First, cut out the body and the cap. Any size is fine but I used a 1" x 2" finished maple plank and made the body 3/4" x 3/4" x 4" and the cap 3/4" x 3/4" x 1-1/2".
2. Drill a 1/2" hole all the way through the center of the body. I drilled the hole using the drill chuck in my wood lathe to ensure it stayed centered and true.
3. Now cut a 3/4" long dowel for the plug and notch it to receive the rubber band.
4. Place the rubber band over the plug and glue into the bottom of the body, allowing about 1/4" to extend into the body.
5. Cut off the excess rubber band after the glue has dried.
6. Cut a 3-1/4" long piece of 1/2" dowel.
7. Drill a 1/2" hole 1/2" deep in the cap and glue the dowel into the cap.
8. Cut the hook notch into the dowel as shown in the diagram. Reduce the thickness of the dowel below the notch to allow enough room for the hook to 'catch' the rubber band in the bottom of the hole.
9. Sand the entire length of the dowel with 200 grit sandpaper until it slides in and out of the body easily. You might wish to wax it as well.
10. Shape a taper into the top of the cap as shown in the drawing. I turned it round on my lathe but a bevel works fine too.
11. Sand all of the outer surfaces with 200 grit sandpaper being sure to round all sharp edges.
12. Have fun confusing your friends.

Play the game:
1. The hook does not actually catch the band as the 2-1/2" long hook dowel does not really quite reach the loop at the bottom of the 4" long hole.
[ 4" - ( 2.75" + 1" ) = 0.25 ]
2. The top appears to be hooked when you make it snap back by pinching the taper on the top.
3. First, demonstrate the game.
4. Pull the hook out of the body and show it to the player.
5. Reinsert the hook and pretend to manipulate it until you get it hooked.
12. Pull the hook out a little then 'snap' it back in by pinching the top. Repeat once or twice.
13. Pretend to manipulate it until you get it unhooked..
14. Hand it to the player and watch the fun.