What are some puzzles, like Aunt Sally's Green Door, in which players must discover the hidden rule...

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Problem

What are some puzzles, like Aunt Sally's Green Door, in which players
must discover the hidden rule deciding which things may pass and which
may not?

A number of years ago I read a puzzle (in a Games magazine, I think)
that was about a Green Door in a Wall in the Woods by Aunt Sally.  I use
this story in one of my enrichment classes all the time.  The puzzle
involves things that can be taken through the wall (double letter things
only) and things that are left behind (non-double letter things).  I and
the class always have a great time trying to figure the rule out as I
give them multiple examples and what can and can't and they try to form
a rule that will work and allow them through the door.  That was a long
way to say, I'm looking for some more similar ideas of stories that I
can tell in a classroom setting that would generate similar results.  It
seems like I remember there being a number of puzzles in the same vein
of what is and isn't while the solver tries to determine the rule that
is in play.

-- David Burgher <david.burgher@pac.dodea.edu> (Gifted Ed teacher,
   Humphreys AES), to the National Puzzlers' League, 2005

[ Editor: the first line is the editor's summary of Burgher's request. ]

Show solution

I'm familiar with the puzzle type--I've also seen it in the form 'X
loves Y and Z but hates W and J'--but I don't recall anything specific I
can point you to.  I'll forward to npl-folk and maybe they can help.
Have the kids tried making up their own rules/stories?  That's the usual
NPL response to a fun puzzle.  You might also take a look at the rules
of some NPL games at http://www.puzzlers.org/krewe/gamerules.php .

-- Philip Cohen (Treesong) <tree.song@verizon.net>

I remember this from when I was much younger, and always loved it.  It
bears a strong resemblance to Rulebreakers, but the only name I ever
knew for it was "Mr. Mystery."  ("Mr. Mystery loves crwths and cwms.  He
doesn't care for fleas or totebags, and he hates IOUs.")  Unfortunately,
his was part of a broader class of invisible ink-type games... I don't
remember that one getting its own title.

-- Brian Auriti (Satyr Eyes) <satyreyes@gmail.com>