After visiting the museum and brainstorming ideas, I decided to lean into creating an environmental puzzle. The players would need to search the play space not only for clues, but also determine the code to open the box. A General Store exhibit at the museum provided items that could be counted, which became the solution to the lock.

The box evolved from a museum security safe to the lost and found box due to a major concern: it may teach children that it was acceptable to break into museum property. To avoid any bad messaging, the box's theme changed, and it was explicitly stated to contain useful materials to players. As one of the first puzzles encountered and required to be solved in the room, highlighting its importance is crucial.

I knew that I wanted the lost and found box to withstand the test of time. Therefore, a simple press-fit laser-cut plywood box would not be sturdy enough. Instead, I used 2x4 planks of wood that got screwed together, following the aesthetic of a ranger box along a hiking trail. The interior of the box would be made of large laser-cut plywood, just to give a smooth gapless finish. 2x4s would be glued onto the outside of the plywood with additional screws holding the wood together. Some simple hinges and hasps would complete the design.

The easiest way to visualize precisely what I was going to build was to create a 3D model. Doing this not only helped me to visualize how to assemble the box, but it also gave specific measurements for cutting both the plywood and 2x4 wood.

Once the box was fully assembled, it was given a coat of wood stain both to make it look nicer and to hide any markings on the wood. After a day of drying, the front and top of the box were also given the words "Lost And Found," in white paint. This allowed the box to pop out due to the contrasting dark and light colors.

The puzzle as a whole works well and fits into the museum aesthetic. It utilizes the permanent exhibits the museum has, and it can accommodate any changes to materials that would go inside of it.