ESCAPE YOUR HOUSEThe Archive of Houses
A birthday cake with no candles, a magnifying glass and an odd sock

Birthday · ages 8-12

A detective party

Someone has stolen the candles: the party starts when the detectives find them.

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The kit

Who stole the candles?

A mystery with no scares. Three animal suspects, three teams, a culprit nobody expects.

Open case file K1 · the detective birthday party

Who stole the candles?

Someone has stolen the candles: the party starts when the detectives find them.

Three animal suspects, three teams, one cake waiting. A magpie that steals anything shiny, a cat that saw everything, a chatty little mouse. In the end, the culprit is the one you least expect.

Age
ages 8-12 (at 7, Relaxed level with one adult per team)
Cost
free
Players
4-10 children, plus 1 adult acting as the Keeper (2 adults for more than 8 children)
Who runs it
doesn't play, acts as the Keeper
Length
45 minutes
Difficulty
1-2 out of 5
Prep
about 20 minutes before the party (estimate, not counting printing and reading the guide)
The file
17 pages + 12 of solutions, A4, black and white

What you need: a printer, scissors (the adult keeps them), sticky tape, a torch, 5 odd socks, 5 household objects, a shoebox, the birthday cake candles.

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Tips

For a party that runs smoothly

  1. Set up before the guests arrive

    About twenty minutes, before the party starts (print and cut out the day before). The children arrive and the house is already a case to solve.

  2. One adult for every eight children

    The Keeper gives the hints and looks after the scissors. With more than eight children you need a helper.

  3. A role for the youngest

    At 7, you play on the Relaxed level: the youngest carries the torch, knocks, opens the envelope. They count as much as everyone else.

  4. Ask about allergies

    One of the puzzles uses socks and household objects: check with the parents, and pick clean, harmless items.

Made to measure

With the birthday child's name

With the DIY kit, write a story starring the birthday child: the grids, the cards, and a final certificate to sign together.

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Questions

Questions

What age is it for?

Ages 8 to 12. At 7, you play on the Relaxed level, with one adult per team.

How many children?

From 4 to 10, split into three teams. With more than 8 children you need a second adult.

Is it scary?

No. It's a mystery with animals and clues, no darkness and no scares. The only culprit is a likeable one.

How long does it take?

About 45 minutes: just the right time before the cake.

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