Deciding on your child’s birthday party theme can be a daunting task. Parents want their child to have a wonderful birthday, but preferably without inviting twenty kids from school, ten for soccer, and fifteen from ballet.

While I can’t help you with the guest list, I can help you create a mystery themed birthday party.

Mystery Party

Steps:

1. Choose the mystery

Some popular mystery themes include “The Case of the Missing Birthday Cake” and “The Case of the Missing Treat Bags.” The idea is to have something or things go missing, and the kids work together gathering clues to solve the puzzle.

2. Choose the ending, or final destination for the missing objects.

It makes it much easier to know where the missing item will end up, so that you can prepare clues accordingly.

3. Create your Clues!

Keep the clues simple, short, and to the point. Here are some examples of clues I created for my niece’s party:

Clue Number One:

Look both ways
Cross the Street
Your Next clue Awaits
Mrs. Smith will Greet!

Clue Number Two:

You’re doing greaet
Don’t be tense
Your Next Clue waits
By the picket fence!

Clue Number Three:

It’s not dark yet
No need for a torch
Your next clue waits
On a white front porch!

Some popular locations for hiding clues include under beds, tables, on the slide, in plant, along a fence, or on a neighbor’s front porch. If you are using neighbors, be sure to include a map of the houses that are included in the detective hunt. This helps narrow down the search a little bit, and prevents them from going to houses that might not appreciate ten little detectives prowling around.

4. Optional—you can create a puzzle that features a picture of the final destination. For example, if you are hiding the treat bags in the laundry room, draw a picture of the laundry room on a piece of white corkboard or poster board. Cut out different shapes of the puzzle (or you can simply cut out even squares). As you deliver the clues to the proper locations, you can simple attach a puzzle piece to each clue. As the kids obtain each clue, they get a puzzle piece. After the kids return back home, they can put the puzzle together and the picture will show them the spot where lies the missing birthday cake or treat bags.

5. Detective Bags

Kids may have fun making their own detective bags. You can use clear plastic bags or brown lunch bags. Discount party stores carry items such as small notebooks, pencils, mini flashlights, and other detective like items. The bags come in handy for putting their clues and puzzle pieces in as well.
Finally, if the kids are going to be crossing the street, have an adult at each area they will be crossing. They can also serve as “lead detectives” in case the kids get stuck on a particular clue.

6. Mystery Food

While the kids are out solving their mystery, you can set up a mystery food table.

Simply place five to ten bowls across the table. Place the following items in the bowls:

Mashed up bananas

Jello cubes

Chocolate Syrup

Cooked pasta noodles

Cookie crumbs

Squished grapes

The idea is to create all types of "food mysteries" in the bowls.

Have the kids take turns closing their eyes, and feeling each bowl. They can try to guess the item, by feeling, smelling, tasting (each child can have a small plate for tasting).

This is also a great rainy day activity.

To turn the tables, have your kids make YOU some mystery bowls!! Talk about scary!

Inexpensive detective items, a few clues, and mystery foods are all you need for this birthday party!

Mystery Solved!