How to Host a Murder Mystery Party for Teens

Try to identify a killer at a murder mystery party.

Instead of a barbecue, invite your friends to attend a murder mystery party where they are guaranteed a night of fun and good food. Let your buddies know that costumes are not required, but will make the night memorable while adding an air of authenticity to the party. Murder mystery party kits cost an average of $25--as of 2010--and are available online and at game stores. It is up to you whether the party is an elaborate or simple affair, but ask your parents or other adults to help you prepare for the party.

Things You'll Need

• Murder mystery kit
• Pen
• Paper
• Invitations
• Camera
• Computer
• Printer
• Photo paper

Instructions

1. Decide if the teens would like to dress up for the party or wear casual clothes. This will determine the type of theme you choose and whether you will go with a character-based game or mystery-focused party. Choose a theme.

2. Create a guest list and call potential guests to see if they are receptive to attending your party. For most mystery parties you will need at least six people.

3. Buy a murder mystery kit. Read the instructions, then print and organize the clues.

4. Mail invitations to your guests. The invitation should include the character each guest will portray and a request for them to RSVP. Give the required roles to the people who are definitely attending. If you want them to dress in a costume, tell them in the invitation.

5. Verify that the main characters are attending the party. If they cancel or are unsure about attending, trade their character with a guest who will be attending. Let both guests know of the change.

6. Decorate your home the night before the party. This will give you time to relax before guests arrive. For example, if you are having a '20s gangster party, put art deco posters on the walls, play silent movies in one room and blare jazz music.

7. Greet guests with finger food, give them the mystery instructions and a character list, and take their picture. Serve food like miniature hot dogs, shot glasses filled with tomato soup and grilled cheese wedges.

8. Take a picture of the entire group of guests. Print copies of the photo for guests to take home.

9. Explain the game to the guests and answer any questions. Pass out the first round of clue cards and start the mystery.

10. Mingle with your guests for 45 minutes to an hour. The teens should be asking questions and setting up motives for the mystery. All the information they need is supplied on the different clue cards. It is imperative that they talk to each other.

11. Serve dinner and begin round two. Dinner could be barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. Arrange for one of the guests to excuse himself from dinner. That guest will put on death makeup: white face paint, dark circles around the eyes and a T-shirt labeled "victim." The guest should go back to dinner.

12. Arrange for one of the guests to excuse herself from dinner. That guest will put on death makeup: white face paint, dark circles around the eyes and a T-shirt labeled "victim." The guest should go back to dinner.

13. Gather all the teens after dinner and pass out pens and paper. Take turns accusing characters of murder along with the motive for murder.

14. Pass out the clue cards with the solution. Ask the guests to read their solution cards. The game ends with a confession from the murderer and an explanation of how the murder was commited.

References

• My Mystery Party: How to Host a Murder Mystery Party
• Host-Party.com: Murder Mystery Games and Parties