How to Host a Children's Mystery Party
Whether your child can't resist a good mystery or simply loves a complicated treasure hunt, host a mystery party for a birthday or special occasion. Devise an intriguing, but child-appropriate "whodunit" or "howdunit" that the elementary-school-aged kids can solve during the party. Design whimsical invitations that clue the guests in on the theme of the festivities, and create eye-catching decorations, refreshments and party favors that suit the mood and theme of the old-fashioned mystery. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Scissors or paper trimmer
- Gray or silver cardstock
- 4- by 5-inch black folded cards
- Toy magnifying glasses
- Black marker
- Printer
- Glue stick
- Adhesive dots
- Fabric
- Faux cobwebs
- Candleabra and old picture frames
- Snacks
- Sparkling apple cider
- Plastic champagne flutes
- Props
- Prizes
Instructions
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Create the Invitation
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1
Design party invitations by using scissors or a paper trimmer to cut a 3- by 4-inch piece of gray or silver cardstock. Affix the cardstock to the center of a 4- by 5-inch blank black, folded card.
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Attach a thin plastic magnifying glass sold at toy or party supply stores to the center of the card with adhesive dots. Use a black marker to add three question marks below the magnifying glass.
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3
Print the party information on a 3- by 4-inch piece of gray or silver cardstock using a computer and printer or black marker. Include the date, address, time and RSVP details. Affix the cardstock inside the invitation with a glue stick.
Prepare for the Party
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Create the feel of an old mansion by covering the windows with lacy fabric and attaching faux cobwebs from a party supply shop to corners and lamps. Adorn the buffet table with a candelabra and old picture frames from a second-hand store. Cover the furniture with burgundy-colored fabric or lacy slipcovers.
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Prepare refreshments for the "high society cocktail party" such as fruit and fresh vegetable chunks with dipping sauces, peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches, cookies and scones. Let the kids drink sparkling apple cider out of plastic champagne flutes.
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Organize a mystery for the kids to solve together. Ask adults to dress as "characters" and have one "disappear." Provide clues to the character's whereabouts such as handwritten notes cut into puzzle pieces, a piece of the character's costume near a door, or shoeprints cut out of black cardstock. Give the remaining adults additional clues to read aloud. Let the clues lead to the character sitting in a car in the garage or reading a book in the corner of the yard, for example.
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Set up additional mini mysteries throughout the party. Have objects such as a spatula, clock or dictionary go "missing" throughout the party and ask the guests to search the house for them, for example.
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Offer prizes for the winners of the whodunit activities such as real magnifying glasses, flashlights, children's mystery books or jigsaw puzzles.
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Tips & Warnings
Have an assortment of simple clues on hand in case the kids are having trouble solving the mystery.
Although mystery parties often feature a "murder" for the guests to solve, avoid creating a grisly murder scenario since the idea may scare younger children.
