In Fyleet there is a prayer mat which, when used appropriately, causes a mighty wind to arise. This can blow things out of trees, disperse fog, and so on. Thematic puzzles are enjoyable, and you get several at once that way. Sangraal has two such. Some puzzles depend crucially on timing.
Some puzzles come naturally and the adventure writer also has to struggle to find a solution.
Elsewhere I needed a one-way exit to avoid the player returning the way he'd been. The barn naturally suggested a bale of hay, down onto which the player could jump. Finally, there are plenty of conventional puzzles which can be put into Adventure settings. A few examples follow. The above is an alphametic.