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27 Mystery Games For Kids: Exploring Clues, Puzzles, And Games For Every Age Group

November 27, 2023 //  by  Seda Unlucay

Mystery games are a fantastic way to develop deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills while encouraging your kids’ cooperation, organization abilities, and communication skills. This collection of thrilling murder mysteries, escape room challenges, and popular board games is sure to become a welcome addition to any family game night! So find your magnifying glass, throw on your trench coat, and get ready for our list of enthralling mystery games for kids of all ages! 

1. Detective Mystery Party Game

This mystery-style game is not based on murder but on the premise that a thief has gotten a hold of party goods! Your kids are sure to have plenty of fun figuring out the real culprit among the five suspects and getting their party supplies back!

Age Group: Elementary, Middle School

Learn More: Queen Of Theme Party Games

2. Find The Secret Message Printable Puzzle Game

This printable puzzle game challenges your kids to use their reasoning skills to decode and unscramble a sentence in order to claim their hidden prize from a drawer. Be prepared to hide something in that drawer for them to find!

Age Group: Elementary

Learn More: Blimey Box

3. Interactive Mystery Series

This series of printable interactive mysteries is sure to create a suspenseful mood! These engaging mystery-themed stories guide your little detectives on a clue hunt around the classroom. Each kit includes plenty of coloring pages, activities, and games to keep players entertained while developing their critical reasoning skills .

Learn More: Tiny Mysteries Inc.

4. Detective Theme Topper

This illustrated detective mystery game contains ten clues that your children must solve in order to nab the true culprit. It includes colorful item cards featuring suspect files, certificates, and even a detective notebook that will get them excited about sleuthing! 

Learn More: Printable Adventure Games

5. Cooperative Whodunit Game

Get your little spies ready for this engaging mystery game! This exciting whodunit combines decisive reasoning and visual perception skills to have them solve a detective fingerprint puzzle. Think about using this as a team challenge to really get your kids excited!

Learn More: Growing Play

6. Fun Detective Game

Your kids will love pretending to be a real-life Sherlock Holmes while completing this top-secret mission. This difficult challenge requires them to pay close attention and use those problem-solving skills! This one is sure to put their budding critical reasoning skills to the test!

7. Classic Murder Mystery Board Game

No list of mystery games would be complete without Clue ! This original murder mystery board game has been a family favorite for decades and it works just as well in school too! Featuring six game markers, various weapons, and challenge cards, it’s the perfect game for your older students to develop deductive reasoning skills .

Age Group: Elementary, Middle School, Highschool

Learn More: Ultra Board Games

8. Mystery Games For Rainy Days

This mystery rainy day activity features secret messages, fingerprint analysis, logic puzzles, and a fun invisible message for your spy kids to decipher. This is a great bundle to teach deductive reasoning skills while weaving a little cipher history into the fun – your children will love it! 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

9. Mystery at the Lux Museum

Your kids are sure to love solving the clues for this escape room-inspired, mystery game, Mystery at the Lux Museum . Featuring maps and museum guides as well as pictures and ciphers, this game is full of difficult challenges and is perfect for an end-of-term fun day! 

Learn More: Board Game Geek

10. Who Murdered the Gingerbread Man?

This drama-inspired mystery story features a series of clues, detailed character descriptions, and a detective checklist. This is a perfect interactive role-playing game that is sure to ignite the interest of both your budding actors and your up-and-coming detectives! What a fun and interesting way to bring drama into your classroom curriculum! 

Learn More: Drama Notebook

11. Educational Escape Room Game

This escape game challenges your kids to use their math and map skills to eliminate suspects to identify the guilty culprits of this mystery! It’s an educational game with a fun twist that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork! Can your kiddos figure their way out?

12. Cat Crimes Logic Game For Kids

This award-winning mystery game is a great way for your kids to develop logical thinking and deductive reasoning skills! With increasingly tougher puzzles, your little sleuths will be working on their problem-solving and thinking skills while having loads of fun with this amusing game! 

Learn More: Amazon

13. Make Your Own Escape Room Game

This DIY Escape Room guide is a great budget-friendly alternative to a pricey real-world escape room. It shows you how to identify a topic that will work and how to create your own set of challenging logic puzzles for what will surely be an engaging activity for your students!

Learn More: Learning Hypothesis

14. Play Scotland Yard

Scotland Yard is renowned in the worlds of both real and fictional detectives! This classic mystery game shares a name with the police headquarters building and is perfect for your true crime enthusiasts! This board game is for three to six people and challenges players to track down Mr. X as he darts and dodges around the city of London.

15. Top Secret Spy Mission

This fun spy game is the perfect excuse to let your kids really dress the part by donning hats, sunglasses, and other spy apparel to make this game even more fun! They’ll lose themselves in their secret agent roles as they work to solve ten clues to reclaim their stolen candy from a group of thieves!

Learn More: Funtastic Idea

16. Ancient Egypt-Themed Mystery Game

This hands-on CSI-style game challenges kids to examine archeological and modern-day DNA evidence to solve the enduring mystery of King Tut’s death. It’s the perfect mystery to instill a love of history and science into your kids as they grapple with the question – was King Tut murdered? 

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

17. Spy School Activities

Chances are, your kids will be thrilled by the idea of going to spy school! This fun kit comes complete with ID cards and includes loads of engaging DIY spy school activities. They are sure to love completing their training missions and earning their Secret Spy School badges! 

Learn More: Coffee Cups And Crayons

18. Plan A Classroom Crime Scene

This hands-on classroom activity is the perfect way to put inference skills to the test in an exciting way! Your students will love participating in this crime scene set up to solve an engaging mystery while also strengthening their reading comprehension skills.

Learn More: Poet Prints

19. Solve a Series of Mysteries

This series of seven inventive missions is another great opportunity to let your kids dress the part of super sleuths! This activity includes lock boxes, invisible ink, and a homemade laser maze and is sure to keep your kids engrossed in detective work for hours!

Learn More: Exploring Domesticity

20. Who Killed Miss Greenspoon?

Everyone’s having a grand ol’ time at their high school reunion until suddenly… “AHHHH!” A woman’s piercing shriek echoes throughout the gymnasium before the lifeless body of elderly Miss Greenspoon is discovered. Who killed this beloved teacher? Your older students will have a blast solving this mystery!

Age Group: Middle School, High School

Learn More: ESL Writing

21. Junior Detective

This board game comes with dozens of mysteries for your kiddos to solve! Not only are these tasks entertaining, but the game will also help them strengthen their deductive reasoning skills! Out of twelve suspicious-looking faces, your young detectives must race to find the true culprit!

Age Group: Elementary, Middle

Learn More: Casual Game Revolution

22. Guilty Party

If you have a Wii, then plug it in and get ready for a whodunnit-style adventure! Let your kids play for the chance to take over the family business – the detective business, that is! Who will impress Commodore and secure access to his top secret folder of unsolved cases?

Age Group: Elementary, Middle, High School

Learn More: Disney Fandom

23. Spy Museum

These activities come straight from the Spy Museum! Don’t worry if you can’t make it there in person; their amazing resources include loads of ideas that you can do right from your classroom! From making invisible ink to cracking top secret codes your kids will love playing these spy games! 

Learn More: Spy Museum

24. DNA Profiling

Bring some STEM into the mystery mix by giving your kids the opportunity to use their DNA profiling skills to find the unknown bank robbery suspect! This activity is aligned with the NGSS and Common Core standards and is sure to inspire budding forensic scientists and detectives everywhere!

Age Group: Middle School

Learn More: Teach Engineering

This classic game holds a special place in the hearts of many kids and adults alike! Not many people know that there are versions of this game both with and without a deck of cards! Mafia are infesting the town and it is up to the sheriff to remove each nefarious member from the game before all the civilians are gone. Are your sheriffs up to the task?

Learn More: Instructables

26. The Pilfered Quill

This is another escape room mystery game that is perfect for the classroom! Get ready to strengthen your kids’ literacy and problem-solving skills with this fun and educational activity. Have your kids work in teams to crack secret codes, solve puzzles, and escape tricky mazes. How a-MAZE-ing!

Age Group: Elementary School, Middle School

Learn More: Reading Schools

27. DNA Evidence

Here’s another DNA-themed spy game! Challenge your learners to build a DNA structure then create a duplicate. Each player will take turns hiding one of their DNA structures and give the others clues about where it’s hidden in the classroom. Whoever guesses its exact location gets to go next!

Learn More: Love to Know

7 Detective Activities to Solve Riddles like Sherlock Holmes

7 Free Detective Activities

Have you ever wanted to be a detective? Now, you can with 7 detective activities .

Like Sherlock Holmes, you get clues and solve challenging puzzles.

And the best part? You practice English. And it’s tons of fun.

Like all our worksheets, they’re free to use for any purpose.

1. Detective Clues

In groups of four, students will walk around the classroom searching for clues. While one student is the secretary, the other three are detectives. The detectives memorize each clue in English. They return to the secretary who writes down the clue. Finally, after the students find all the clues, they have to solve the puzzle.

2. Einstein’s Riddle

This is the one of the most difficult of all detective activities in the list because it’s believed Einstein created this at a young age. Students have to use logic to solve this complex puzzle.

3. Spot the Difference

Two pictures look identical, but they’re not. Students have to find 10 differences in both scenes.

4. What’s in the Box?

At the start of the class, the teacher bring a box into class. The teacher places any object in the box, but students can’t see what’s inside. Next, students investigate the contents by asking yes or no questions. When they get it correct, it can be a prize or their homework.

5. Teacher Quiz

If you want to get your students out of their chairs in your first class, then this should be your go-to activity. Find clues around the class, and match answers with the clues.

6. Talking Bingo

First, everyone stands up and asks questions on their Bingo sheet. If they respond “yes”, the student can mark X on their Bingo sheet. The first student to fill out their sheet with a line comes to the teacher as the winner.

7. World Monuments

Connect the dot for each historical world monument with the country outline. After you complete this activity, can you recognize the monument and country outline?

Free Detective Activities

We’ve revealed 7 of the best detective activities where you either find clues or solve a challenging riddle.

They have worked wonders for our classes. Hopefully, they’ll be challenging for your students too.

Have you ever tried detective-style games in your class?

Please let us know what has worked and what hasn’t in the comment section below.

Hi, I’m looking for “Sherlock Holmes (jigsaw reading)” written by Neville Britten. I tried The Arsenic Sonata and it worked beautifully. I would like to use more like this. My students loved it and begged me to do more of it. Thanks guys

Thanks! I’m looking for a detective theme party ideas!😊

Awesome! Thanks!!!

Many thanks for pretty good motivating resources.

Thanks for these interesting and practical activities

I really liked these riddles because this topic is in the English classes syllabus and I think they’ll be wonderful for my classes, thanks for giving them for free because this material is awesome for me. Thank you so much!!!

Thanks a lot for such interesting and thrilling activities.

These activities look awesome! Can’t wait to try them out in class!

I used the; 1. Detective Clues & 2. Einstein’s Riddle. My classes loved them. Keep up with these awesome resources!!

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Home » Riddles » 24 Tricky Detective Riddles (+ Mystery Riddles)

24 Tricky Detective Riddles (+ Mystery Riddles)

Mysteries are inherently riddles that need to be solved. Solving detective riddles provides a mentally-stimulating activity that will test your brain’s power . Plus, detective riddles are also fun!

Table of Contents

We begin this article with some fairly short, generally easy, Mystery Riddles. Next, we have some “who-done-it” Murder Mystery Riddles. You will enjoy the section of Story Riddles, which are fun to share with your family and friends. The article ends with some longer, more challenging Scenario Riddles, designed to test your mystery riddle solving ability.

See if you have the ability to be a detective by seeing how many of our Detective Riddles you can solve. Put your thinking cap on and have fun!

Mystery Riddles

Mystery riddles are the shortest of the Detective Riddles in this article. They may, or may not, involve murder and mayhem. They may also be a bit humorous. Enjoy!

• A man is found hanging in a room four feet off the floor. There is nothing else in the room except for a large puddle of water below him. The police do not see anything the man would have climb on to hang himself. Did he commit suicide and, if so, how did he do it? Show answer He stood on a block of ice and put the noose around his neck. Once the ice melted, he was hung, and all that was left was a puddle of water on the floor.
• One winter day, there was a man standing in the middle of someone’s front yard. The person stayed there for several weeks without moving and the owner of the yard didn’t mind. Eventually the man left. Who was he? Show answer A snowman.
• A man was found dead with a cassette recorder in one hand and a gun in his other hand. When the police came in, they immediately pressed the play button on the cassette. They heard the man say, “I have nothing else to live for. I can’t go on.” Then there was the sound of a gunshot. After listening to the cassette tape, the police knew that it was not a suicide, but a homicide. How did they know? Show answer If the man shot himself while he was recording, how did he rewind the cassette tape so that the play button worked immediately?
• A couple went on holiday for three weeks. They carefully locked their house, and had a neighbor check on the place while they were gone. When they returned, the wife was distressed to learn that, because of a power failure, she had lost all her fine jewelry. She had hidden the jewelry in what she thought was a very safe place. She was not robbed. Her jewelry was lost by accident. Why? Show answer The wife had hidden her best jewelry inside her freezer in a bag among all the frozen food. Because of a general power failure, the freezer had gone off. A friendly neighbor (who had a key in order to water the plants) had tried to be helpful by throwing out all the bad food and with it went the jewelry.
• A man eats dinner, goes up to his bedroom, turns off the lights, and goes to sleep. In the morning, he wakes up and looks outside. Horrified at what he sees, he hurls himself out his window to his death. Why does he do this? Show answer The man was a lighthouse operator. He wasn’t supposed to turn off his lights. When he wakes up in the morning, he sees a giant ship that has crashed into the land, causing much catastrophe. Unable to go on, he decides to take his own life.
• A woman shoots her husband, then holds him under water for five minutes. A little while later, they both go out and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be? Show answer She shot her husband with a camera and then developed the photo.
• Accused of stealing the farmer’s chickens, a man is locked up in an empty room in the local jail. His cell has a dirt floor and is completely void of any accessories except for a shovel. There is a window overlooking the hills outside. The man is determined to break out and prove his innocence, but the window is too high to reach and beneath the shallow dirt floor is rock.  How can he escape? Show answer The man needs to use the shovel to make a pile of dirt that helps him reach the window. He can then climb on the pile and easily escape the cell.
• A woman goes to the police claiming that someone broke into her house and stole her diamond bracelet while she was at work. The policemen investigate the crime scene and notice that the bedroom window is broken. There are muddy footprints all across the bedroom floor. However, the room is otherwise neat and organized. The following day, the woman is arrested for fraud. Why? Show answer The bedroom window was broken from the inside. If somebody had broken in from the outside, there would have been glass pieces on the bedroom floor. Also, the room was perfectly tidy, and a thief would have left some sort of mess looking for the items. So, the thief was the woman who knew exactly where the bracelet was.

Murder Mystery Riddles

Murder Mystery Riddles are “Who done it?” situations, where you or a detective must determine not only if a crime was committed, but who it was committed by. If you think you are a champion at solving murder mysteries, try the following cases.

The Case of the Wife in the Kitchen

A man entered his house and was about to hang up his coat when he heard his wife shout; “No John! Don’t do it!” There was a shot and he could hear his wife fall down. When he entered the kitchen, he saw his wife and the gun lying on the floor. There was a police officer, a doctor, and a lawyer standing next to her. Who killed the man’s wife and how did the man know who it was?

The Case of the Rich Man’s Murder

A man is found murdered on a Sunday morning. His wife calls the police, who question the wife and the staff, and are given the following alibis:

• The wife says she was sleeping
• The butler said he was cleaning the closet
• The gardener was declared he was picking vegetables
• The maid explained she was getting the mail
• The cook said she was preparing breakfast

Immediately, the police arrest the murdered. Who did it and how did the police know?

The Case of the (Un)Clever Husband

A couple went on for a climbing trip. When only the husband returned from the vacation, he said that his wife slipped off a cliff while climbing and died. On investigating, the local sheriff arrested him saying, “Your travel agent called. The information we received makes us aware you murdered your wife.” How did the agent deduce it was a murder?

The Case of the Chemist’s Message

A renowned chemist is found dead in his lab. There is no clear evidence except a piece of paper lying by the body. The paper is blank other than the name of five elements scrawled across it hastily:

The guard reported that three people visited the chemist that day – his sister, Laura; his colleague, Nicolas; and his wife, Tessa. The criminal was arrested immediately. Who was it?

The Case of the Clever Serial Killer

An unidentified man in the local town kidnaps people and demands them to take one of the two pills that he offers. The pills look identical, but the killer claims that only one is poisonous. When a victim chooses a pill, the killer takes the remaining one. The victims always die after swallowing the tablet with water. How does the killer manage to get the safe pill every time?

The Case of the Suspected Witness

A crime has been committed on Main Street. The main suspect is a man named Simon Bates. It was said that a man had been walking along the pathway when he was suddenly shot in the stomach. The suspect had brown hair, blue eyes, and wore a baggy Armani just like Simon Bates’. Simon was asked to tell the story right from the beginning. “Well,” said Simon, “I was just hanging around the park when I saw this man walking along the pathway. Suddenly, a guy came up from behind him and shot him! I ran home as fast as I could. The policemen asked him to give a description of the murderer. “He had a red mustache, red hair, and a baggy Armani suit on.” “I think this man is telling a lie,” said one of the policemen. How did he know?

Story Riddles

Story Riddles tell a story that one could easily put “Once upon a time . . .” in the beginning. They frequently involve common, easily identifiable people or situations we may feel a kinship or have an emotional reaction to. See how well you can solve the story riddles we have chosen for you.

• Senator Blank and Senator Line met at a club to discuss the overthrow of their party leader. They each ordered a vodka on the rocks. Senator Blank downed his and ordered another. He then drank his second in one gulp and decided to wait before he ordered a third. Meanwhile, Senator Line, who was sipping his drink, suddenly fell forward dead. Both men were setup for an assassination. Why did Senator Line die and Senator Blank live? Show answer Both Senator Blank and Senator Line were given drinks with poisoned ice cubes. Senator Blank drank his drinks so quickly that the ice didn’t have time to melt and release the poison.
• It was a man’s birthday. He lay dead in the recreation room of his house. Next to his body was a note written in pencil. The note read “Happy Birthday, Friend.” The victim had a girlfriend; the police suspected her ex-boyfriend. They could find no obvious evidence. While searching the ex-boyfriend’s car, the police saw an envelope with the girlfriend’s address written on it. They thought they would get the handwriting on the envelop checked against the note. The scientist in charge came in early to work the next day; it was 7am. He looked out his window which faced east and stared at the rising sun and it was then that he realized how to prove the ex-boyfriend killed the man, even though the girlfriend’s address was not written in the same handwriting. How did he do it? Show answer The scientist’s office faced east, and the sun was coming in through the window at a very low angle. He saw some very faint shadows on the surface of the envelope. He looked closer. There were the words embossed on the paper. They read “Happy Birthday, Friend.” The ex-boyfriend had forgotten that a pencil leaves an impression on paper beneath the page written on.
• A man is stranded on forest-covered island. One day, when the wind is blowing from the west, lightning strikes the west end of the island and sets fire to the forest. The fire is very violent, burning everything in its path, and without intervention the fire will burn the whole island, killing the man in the process. There are cliffs around the island, so he cannot jump off. How can the man survive the fire without any buckets or any other means to put out the fire? Show answer The man picks up a piece of wood and lights it from the fire on the west end of the island. He runs to the east end of the island and starts a new fire. The wind will cause that fire to burn out the eastern end and he can then shelter in the burnt area.
• Anna goes to her friend Mara’s house, on a wintry evening only to find her dead. When the police learn about the incident, they question Anna about how she found out. Anna says that she knocked on the door and rang the bell repeatedly. Since the light was on in one of the rooms, Anna knew Mara must be home and decided to look through the window. The windows were frozen, so she breathed on the iced glass, and that’s when she noticed Mara’s body on the floor. The police suspect Anna is the murderer. Why? Show answer Anna could not have possibly gotten a clear view of the room from outside, as both sides of the glass would be frozen, so she could not have seen inside.
• The Greens are a very wealthy family that lives in a big, circular home. Early one morning, Mr. Green wakes up to find his gardener’s still warm body in the front yard. He calls the police. The detective who comes asks the employees about their whereabouts and what they were doing early that morning. Driver: “I was outside washing the car.” Maid: “I was dusting the corners of the house.” Cook: “I was starting to make lunch for later.” From the replies he knew who the killer was. Who was it and how did they detective know? Show answer The maid, because they lived in a circular house and she was “dusting the corners” of the house at the time of the murder.

Scenario Riddles

Scenario Riddles, as the name implies, present a scene one must mentally view in order to solve the riddle. The best approach is to read very carefully and picture the scene in one’s mind. Taking the riddle step-by-step should provide you with the answer to these thought-provoking riddles .

The Rusty Kettle

On a dark, stormy night, a man who owned a casino invited some friends for a visit. The men all placed their money on the table right before the lights went out. When the lights came back on, the money was gone. The owner wanted to discover who stole the money. So, he put a rooster in an old rusty bucket. He told everyone to get in line and touch the bucket one at a time when he turned the lights off. He said that the rooster would crow when the robber touched it. After everyone touched it, the rooster hadn’t crowed. Then the man told everyone to hold out their hands. After examining all the hands, he pointed out who the robber was. How did he know who stole the money?

The Jumping Man

A dead body is found at the bottom of a multi-story building. Seeing the position of the body, it appears evident that the person jumped from one of the floors, committing suicide. A homicide detective is called to look after the case. He goes to the first floor and walks in the room facing the direction in which the body was found. He opens the window in that direction and flips a coin towards the ground. Then he goes to the second floor and repeats the process. He keeps on doing this until he reaches the last floor. Then, when he climbs down, he tells the team that it is a murder not suicide. How did he come to know that it was a murder?

An Heir for the King

A king has no sons, no daughters, and no queen. For this reason, he must decide who will take the throne after he dies. To do this he decides that he will give all of the children of the kingdom a single seed. Whichever child has the largest, most beautiful plant will earn the throne. At the end of the contest all of the children came to the palace with their enormous and beautiful plants in hand. After he looks at all of the children’s pots, he finally decides that the little girl with an empty pot will be the next queen. Why did he choose this little girl over all of the other children with their beautiful plants?

The Rescue of the Beautiful Rose

Once there was an evil wizard. He took three women from their homes and turned them into rose bushes that looked exactly alike and put them in his garden. One of the women had a husband and children and begged the wizard to let her see them. He agreed. At night he brought the woman to her house. In the morning he came and took her home. The husband decided to go rescue her. So, he snuck into the wizard’s garden early in the morning. He stared long and hard at the three identical rose bushes trying to figure out which could be his wife. Suddenly he knew the answer and he took his wife home. How did he know which rose bush was his wife?

Hidden in a Lake

Dr. Miller was staying with his cousin, Alfred, in Alfred’s lakeside cabin. They were setting up Alfred’s will. Since Dr. Miller was Alfred’s closest living relative, much of Alfred’s estate was being left to him. One day, Alfred went to Dr. Miller very upset. “Doctor,” he began, “I have just found out that an old enemy is out to get me. He is coming very soon. Where will I go? Where can I hide? If he finds me, he will surely kill me. I do not have time to leave this cabin and hide in the woods.” Dr. Miller thought for a moment, and then grabbed a 5′ long bamboo fishing pole, with a diameter the size of a quarter. “Alfred, follow me out to the lake. This lake is 4′ deep. If you lie on the bottom of the lake and breathe through this pole, your enemy will never find you. I will be in the bulrushes with a shotgun, and I will shoot him when he comes. I will swim down to find you when he is gone.” Alfred thought that was a great idea and went down in the lake with the bamboo pole in his mouth. A few hours later, a ranger passed by. He found Alfred’s body. Dr. Miller told the police of the circumstance, and that Alfred had probably panicked, and died. Police arrested Dr. Miller on the charge of murdering Alfred. Why?

Everyone loves solving a mystery, especially when it involves a riddle. We hope you have found success in solving our Detective Riddles. Now share them with friends, tell them at parties and get-togethers, and use them for some special family time. You might wish to challenge yourself and create your own detective riddles. Have fun riddling a mystery!

Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona State University and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.

Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines, neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and numerous other projects.

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It was sooo hard to even figure out the first one and normally I can solve them easily! Anna, aged 22

Soo difficult to solve! It really did give my brain a workout!

“Hidden in a lake” riddle, he can exhale through his nose tho and inhale through his mouth. To avoid suffocation from carbon dioxide 😅

I love these murder mystery riddles, they are very challenging but also amazingly fun.

These where my first murder mystery riddles that I have read in about three years!!!

Anyways, I love the riddle. It greatly harness my critical thinking skills. Thanks for posting this

Still, they’re amazing riddles, my friends and I love the challenges! Keep up the great work!

I figured out most of these easily. Some of them, were challenging though.

love this riddles

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A mystery unit is perfect for a classroom of curious kids ! There’s excitement in the suspense, significance in every detail…. and spooky thrills to keep students engaged throughout the class’ mystery literature studies. Mystery units can work in amazing ways by integrating problem-solving and close-reading skills in a painless and fun way. Below is a list of 11 ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING A MYSTERY UNIT with games, reading and writing activities, and sleuthing a plenty!

1. MYSTERY ELEMENTS:

Help students learn about the mystery elements: detective, sleuth, witness, suspect, clues, red herring, case, crime, victim, alibi, evidence, hunch, motive, suspense, breakthrough, deduction, criminal. Play I HAVE WHO HAS game with these vocabulary terms. (These can be found in the mystery writing unit below.)

2. MAGNIFYING GLASSES:

During the whole mystery study, have students use plastic magnifying glasses to assist in their detective skills. It will help motivate the students to learn the mystery genre. You can see a variety of magnifying glasses here on Amazon .

3. MYSTERY PASSAGES:

Read short passages to review the mystery elements and predict the mystery. This Mystery Passages resource engages students with 4 intriguing mystery passages about stolen mirrors, missing persons, haunted museums, and locked-up shops! Accompanied by reading comprehension questions that relate to the elements of the mystery genre, each passage has “STOP AND PREDICT” spots for students to use their reading skills to make predictions through the course of the story. After each passage is a 10-question worksheet with 9 multiple choice and 1 short answer to determine students’ reading comprehension and sleuthing skills.

4. MYSTERY BOOKS:

Read several mysteries in class and discuss the mystery elements. Check out this blog post for 11 MENTOR TEXT FOR TEACHING MYSTERIES . Use them as read-alouds, class book studies, and independent reading. The more they read, the more they will become familiar with the genre. 

5. MYSTERY BOOK STUDY:

Our Rockin’ Resources Bunnicula Unit can be used alongside the book, Bunnicula , for whole group, small group, literacy centers, book clubs, or mystery studies work! This complete literacy unit contains reading comprehension questions, writing exercises, and other activities! The Bunnicula unit is available for digital use in Google Slides and PowerPoint, too!

6. CLUE GAME:

What better way to discuss mysteries than to play the board game, Clue? Discover who killed a fictional character, what room, and which weapon was used through many clues. This will strengthen deductive reasoning and logistical thinking skills! Order the game HERE . 

7. NURSERY RHYME MYSTERY:

Students must break out their detective skills to unravel the crime, suspects and motives, clues, and solutions to a variety of nursery rhyme crimes. With Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and more, students will have fun sleuthing over classic rhymes retold. Who pushed Humpty Dumpty off the wall and why? Perfect for a mystery genre unit, this Nursery Rhyme Mystery activity is a big hit within upper elementary classes! 

8. MYSTERY WRITING:

This is one of my favorite writing activities! Students are really engaged and love coming up with their own mystery. After reading some of the listed mystery books, you can use the Mystery Writing resource to transform student’s knowledge of mystery from passively reading to actively writing their own mystery! Within this printable document set are Private Detective badges, a mystery elements vocabulary set and I Have Who Has game, a tri-fold detective note-taking page, and a comprehensive collection of slides for teaching how to write a mystery through the writing process. 

9. SCOOBY-DOO:

Play a Scooby-Doo video and have students detect the mystery elements! Every Scooby-Doo movie offers the perfect suspense and other mystery elements. There is usually a red herring or some kind of twist too! Give students a chart of the elements and have them write down what they find during the movie! https://amzn.to/3sbDt5V 

10. WINK MURDER OR MURDER HANDSHAKE:

These games don’t require a physical game. Learn how to play them HERE . 

11. BUILDING A MYSTERY GROUP ACTIVITY:

Put students in groups. Provide a big piece of paper. Each student gets a section of the paper to write and draw their portion. 

Student 1: Develops characters

Student 2: Tells the setting and the crime (keep it away from violence—missing or kidnapping works)

Student 3:   Tells the suspects and motives

Student 4:   Gives the clues

Student 5:   Tells the solution

Present to class

I hope you found some of these mysterious activities will work with your kiddos! Turn off the lights and get spooking!

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11 mentor texts for teaching mysteries.

Fun Mystery Unit Activities – Let Your Kids Think Like Detectives!

Mystery activities for kids = fun! Let them think like detectives. They’ll love cracking codes, experimenting with invisible ink, fingerprinting, making observations, and more! At home or in the classroom, add some excitement.

Ms. Sneed Adds Some Detective Activities to Her Mystery Unit

Our favorite fourth grade teacher, Ms. Sneed, sat at the computer with her co-teacher. “I’d like to improve our mystery genre study ,” she said. “We begin with elements and vocabulary . Next, kids explore inference activities and short mysteries . Finally, we move to novel studies . We even have some writing projects . What would complete this unit?”

“Can I make a case for some detective activities?” asked Mr. Frank.

“Hey, that sounds like a lot of fun! Let’s plan some for our ELA block .”

Encourage Kids to Become Observant

“First, how can we train kids to be more observant?” Ms. Sneed asked. “When they read, the clues blow right over their heads.”

“Hmm, how about challenging them to notice things? For example, we could move something in the classroom each day. We could also see if they remember what their teacher was wearing.”

“Great idea for mystery activities! These observation games won’t even need any materials.”

“Let’s make a list of classroom and online games,” said Mr. Frank. With just a little searching, the teachers chose this set of observation games:

• Move five objects in the classroom each day. How many can each child notice?
• Go to a place in the classroom where the kids can’t see you. Ask questions about your eye color, the clothing you’re wearing, etc.
• Arrange 30 items on a tray. Let the students look at it for 30 seconds. Then take the tray away. How many items can they remember?
• For some online fun, visit CIA Kids Zone. Take the Photo Analysis Challenge and play Memory .

“When kids are more observant, they’re better readers,” said Ms. Sneed. “These observation activities are fun – and will be well worth the time.”

Let Your Little Detectives Crack Secret Codes

Mr. Frank commandeered the computer and began searching. “Hey, look at this set of mystery activities for kids . It includes secret codes .”

“Yes, our little detectives would love these worksheets. Let’s try them.”

Her teaching partner added them to the cart.

Include Invisible Ink in Your Mystery Activities

Ms. Sneed clicked on the resource preview. “The kids can also experiment with invisible ink .” She read on.

• Method 1 – Stack two pieces of paper on the table. Write a message on the top paper, pressing firmly. Then remove the top sheet. To see what was written, lightly shade the bottom sheet with a pencil.
• Method 2 – First, write on paper with a white crayon. Brush with watercolor paint to discover what was written.
• Method 3 – Mix equal amounts of baking soda and water in a bowl. Next, write on paper with a Q-tip. Dry. Brush with grape or cranberry juice to discover what was written.

Mr. Frank laughed. “We’re really ramping up our detective activities,” he said.

Fingerprinting

“Look at these mystery activities,” said Ms. Sneed. “ Fingerprinting ! It’s as easy as loop, whorl, and arch! Our kids will feel like real detectives when they take fingerprints. You can use an ink pad or simple pencil lead.”

“Here’s a good tip, too,” Mr. Frank added. “For clear fingerprints, use the pencil lead method. Then, instead of pressing directly onto paper, stick clear tape on the fingertip. Peel off and stick tape on paper.”

Add Logic Puzzles to Your Mystery & Detective Activities

“To solve mysteries, detectives must think logically. Similarly, to understand mystery stories, kids must think logically. These logic puzzles will help them develop deductive reasoning,” Mr. Frank continued.

Build Your Mystery Unit with Reading Activities, Novels, and Writing

“Well,” said Mr. Frank, “these mystery activities will surely help our kids learn how to think like detectives. Now let’s work on reading and writing.”

“In addition to these fun mystery activities, this teacher has created a set of mystery reading passages,   writing activities , and even a classroom CSI simulation ,” said Ms. Sneed. “Let’s take a look!”

“You know,” said Mr. Frank, “I’d like to find activities like this to go with all our genre studies. “

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April 1, 2022

Building Stronger Critical Thinking Skills With Mysteries

Who doesn’t love mysteries? They spark our curiosity, leave us eager to learn the answers, and make us feel proud when we figure out a piece of the puzzle. Mysteries are especially popular with kids; there’s a reason why there are so many book series and pieces of media about kids and teenagers who solve mysteries without help from adults.

The good news is that mysteries can also be an excellent educational tool. When boiled down to the essentials, mysteries pose a question, and sleuths find an answer. This is the same principle used in math, science, and even reading comprehension. When educators incorporate the mystery genre into their teaching, they can boost students’ critical thinking skills in a way that is fun and engaging.

Classroom Activities for Critical Thinking With Mysteries

So, how do you incorporate mysteries into your classroom? One of the most popular ways is through classroom games. Set up mysteries for students to solve, pair up investigative teams, or explore practices like evidence collection and interpretation. You can also incorporate programs or lesson plans themed around mysteries. Some ideas that you can work into your classroom include:

• Fingered Felons. Create a mystery to solve in your own classroom. Hide a “stolen object,” and then have students determine how to find clues that would lead them to the culprit. You can help them make their own fingerprints with the use of tape, paper, and a No. 2 pencil. Then bring the stolen object back, and encourage them to match the fingerprints found on it to the samples collected; they will do this by analyzing unique fingerprint patterns and shapes. Use the Touch N Go website to show kids the different fingerprint patterns. This is a great game for Grades 3 to 8.
• Mysteries in the Bag. Bring in a bag of random items. Together, with the rest of the class, come up with a story that includes every item in that bag. From there, formulate a mystery that asks, “Who, what, when, where, and why?” It’s a backwards way of forming a mystery, but it will help boost students’ creativity and critical thinking.
• History’s Mysteries. History’s Mysteries was a program on the History Channel that covered some of the mysteries and strange occurrences throughout history, including the Salem witch trials, alchemy, the Bible, and famous court cases. Have your middle or high school class research and propose mysteries of the past that History’s Mysteries could use as a theme if the show were still on the air.
• Secret Agent Stan. Secret Agent Stan is an old gumshoe who now works for a national crime solving organization and is having a difficult time adjusting. Recently, he lost his ID number. Using his log from past cases, students from Grades 3-8 can help figure out Stan’s new ID before he gets in trouble with his supervisor.
• Whodunnit? This is an excellent lesson plan to get elementary students invested in mysteries. It begins with language arts: read a mystery with your class, and discuss the different elements of the mystery: the crime, the clues, the suspects, the sleuths, and the reveals. From there, assign students to write their own mysteries. Once that’s finished, students can incorporate forensic science by making pieces of evidence like lip prints and shoe tracks.
• Murder Mystery. Engage your students at any age by allowing them to solve a murder mystery. Write out an introduction to the scene of the crime, and come up with clues. Give each student one clue, which they will then share with the class in order to collaborate in solving the mystery. You can break them up into groups and reorder the groups until each student has heard every clue. However, the students will be the ones to lead this game, working together to interpret the clues and solve the mystery.

Why Critical Thinking Matters

It’s probable that only a small percentage of your students — if any — will grow up to become detectives who solve their own mysteries. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t benefit from these mystery activities in the classroom. Critical thinking is an invaluable skill that can equip students for just about any career path, as well as help them navigate through daily life. It can be taught on some level in almost any grade and has innumerable benefits. Just a few of those benefits include:

• Deeper learning. Critical thinking encourages reflective reasoning and stronger analytical skills. Simply put, it helps students get more out of the classroom material. They’re better able to understand, and reading comprehension is likely to rise with higher critical thinking.
• Internally motivated problem solvers. As your students’ critical thinking grows, they will begin to see the world around them as a puzzle in some ways. They will constantly be on the lookout for creative solutions to problems. These problem-solving and nuanced evaluation skills will serve them in almost every aspect of their lives, as will the self-discipline that comes with this type of motivation.
• Academic achievement. When students strengthen their critical thinking skills, what they’re doing at the most basic level is developing their core reasoning. This is essential to their understanding of the material the teacher presents in class. Students with strengthened critical thinking tend to perform better in academic settings.
• Increased creativity. Critical thinking is thinking deeply, considering elements of a problem that might not be immediately obvious or may seem a little out of the box. Creativity functions in much the same way. So, it’s no wonder that critical thinking boosts creativity, whether for a future career or just for a hobby.
• Future success. Critical thinking prepares students to think more deeply and more strategically in a way that will help them in their future career path. Beyond just work, critical thinking can also help them navigate relationships and life decisions they will have to make long after they leave school.

Mysteries can be a fun game, a puzzle for students to solve. The more they solve those puzzles, however, the stronger their critical thinking will become. And the stronger their critical thinking, the more prepared they’ll be to tackle real-life puzzles.

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Mystery Activities For Kids: Detective Games and More

Table of Contents

If you’ve ever seen your kids play detective, snooping around the house with a magnifying glass, you’ll know how much fun mystery activities can be. Not only do they offer a great way to keep those little brains active, but they also sharpen problem-solving and deductive reasoning skills. Just think of it as detective training for the younger generation!

From decoding secret messages to solving a full-blown crime scene, the options are nearly endless. Whether you’re looking for indoor activities on a rainy day or planning an outdoor treasure hunt, there’s something for every young Sherlock Holmes out there. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with both online and offline options, so you can find the perfect game for your family.

So, ready to turn your living room into a mystery unit? Let’s get to it!

The Basics of Setting Up a Mystery Game with Kids

First things first, consider the age of your little detectives. For younger children, simpler puzzles and a straightforward series of clues will be a better fit. After all, you don’t want to discourage them with difficult challenges they can’t solve. For older kids, feel free to get more creative with intricate detective activities, secret codes, and maybe even a bit of Sherlock Holmes flair. The game aims to strike a balance that’s fun yet challenging.

Now, setting the scene. If you’re doing this at home, your living room can become a mystery unit for the day. Use various items to create the ambiance. For example, a piece of toilet paper could become an important clue, or you could use lemon juice to write an invisible message that can only be read when heated. Oh, and don’t forget the magnifying glass for that authentic detective work!

Creating clues can be the best part. You can use secret messages, hidden treasure, or even a mock crime scene to engage their observation skills. Scatter some clues around that lead to the next clue or perhaps a secret agent “mission” they have to complete. Encourage them to use their detective skills and problem-solving abilities to connect the dots.

Engagement is key. Keep the energy high and let the kids know they are real detectives for the day. Give them identification cards, and maybe even have a “bad guy” for them to catch by the end of the game. It could be a family member willing to play the part or a “missing person” represented by a stuffed animal.

With a bit of prep and imagination, setting up a mystery game for your kids can turn into a fun activity that’s not just entertaining but also educational. Ready to get started?

Mysteries for Kids to Solve at Home

You don’t have to go far to set up some engaging mystery activities for your kiddos. Let’s look at a couple of options that can turn an ordinary weekend or after-school evening into much fun.

DIY Treasure Hunt

Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? Hide some “hidden treasure” around your home and create a series of clues leading to it. You can write clues on small pieces of paper and hide them in various items around the house. For added excitement, use invisible ink or lemon juice to write the clues. To reveal the next clue, your kids will have to gently warm the paper. This activity is awesome for practicing observation skills.

Solve the Mystery of the Missing Cake

Create a small storyline where a birthday cake has gone missing. Leave a series of clues and maybe even a “crime scene” in the kitchen for them to investigate. Use common household items like cotton swabs for “DNA tests” and maybe even grapefruit juice for secret messages. This is a perfect game for little detectives looking to sharpen their deductive reasoning skills.

Decode Secret Messages

Have your kids always been fascinated by secret codes and messages? Create your own coded messages and let them crack the code. You can use simple substitution ciphers or get more creative with your own series of secret codes. This is not only entertaining but also a great way to work on problem-solving skills.

Create Your Own Board Game

For this, all you need is a full-colour game board (you can print one), some pieces, and maybe a dice. Create detective clues and scenarios that need to be solved to move ahead. This can be a fun family game night activity.

• Start Simple : If this is your first time setting up a mystery activity, you don’t have to go overboard. A simple clue hunt can be just as thrilling.
• Get Them Involved : Let your kids contribute to the game by letting them create their own mysteries or secret missions. This boosts their creative thinking and makes the game more engaging for them.
• Time It : If your kids love a challenge, add a timer to the game to make it more exciting.
• Use What You Have : Household items can make great clues or parts of your mystery unit. A spoon could become a ‘key’ to a locked room, or a book on the shelf could hide the next clue.
• Be Flexible : Your mystery game doesn’t have to be perfect. The main aim is to have fun and maybe learn something new along the way.

So, whether it’s transforming your living room into an escape room challenge or creating a treasure hunt in your backyard, there are countless ways to keep your kids engaged and thinking critically right at home. Ready to unleash your inner detective?

Classroom Mystery Games for Students

So you’re a teacher or maybe you’re looking to recommend some fun yet educational activities for your child’s classroom. Either way, you’re in the right place. Mystery games aren’t just for home; they can also add a layer of excitement and engagement in a classroom setting.

Educational Perks

First off, let’s talk about why mystery games are such a great idea for the classroom. These games promote critical thinking activity, improve observation skills, and are a sneaky way to bolster those deductive reasoning skills. Not to mention, they encourage teamwork and communication skills among students. And honestly, who wouldn’t prefer solving a mock crime scene over yet another worksheet?

Easy-to-Implement Classroom Games

Who stole the cookie.

This is a simple identification card game where each student is given a role, and they have to figure out who the ‘cookie thief’ is. It’s an excellent way for students to practice their observation activities and decisive reasoning.

Classroom Scavenger Hunt

Turn your classroom into a clue hunt arena. Create a series of clues that lead to a hidden “treasure” in the classroom. For an educational twist, each clue could be a math problem or word search that needs solving to get the next clue. It’s a good mystery that combines fun and learning .

Instant Download Mystery Unit

Many online resources offer instant downloads of mystery units designed for classrooms. These usually come with lesson plans and are ready to use, making your job easier while providing a fully fleshed-out experience for the kids.

Historical Mysteries

Create a mystery game based on a historical event or figure. This way, students can learn history while sharpening their detective skills. You could set up a mock crime scene based on a historical event or have them decode secret messages that lead to a historical discovery.

Einstein’s Riddle

This logic puzzle is best suited for older students and offers a real challenge for those willing to engage their brains fully. Einstein’s riddle can be a standalone activity or part of a larger mystery unit.

Quick Tips:

• Collaborate : Teamwork makes the dream work. Let the students work in small groups. This fosters teamwork and makes the activity more interactive.
• Keep It Timely : Some of these activities can be done in a single class period, making them easy to fit into your schedule.
• Adjust for Age : Just like at home, make sure the difficulty level suits the age and skills of your students.

So go ahead and transform your classroom into a hub of little detectives, each eager to solve the day’s mystery while unknowingly boosting their academic skills. How cool is that?

Free Mystery Activities for Kids

Looking for some mystery fun without breaking the bank? No worries, there are plenty of options that are budget-friendly and still pack a whole lot of excitement. After all, a good mystery doesn’t have to cost a fortune to engage young minds and spark creativity.

Budget-Friendly Physical Activities:

Mystery bag.

Place various items in a bag. The kids have to reach in and guess the item just by feeling it. This is a great observation activity that can be put together with things around the house.

DIY Secret Codes

Remember those secret messages we talked about? Create a series of them using lemon juice or grapefruit juice as invisible ink. Once the messages are dry, your kids can reveal them with a warm light source. No need for any special purchase.

Homemade Escape Room

Using common household items, set up a small escape room challenge in a room. Lock a “treasure” in a box and leave clues around the room to find the key. Time your kids to make it more exciting.

Online Resources for Free Mystery Fun:

Printable detective kits.

There are plenty of websites where you can download free detective kits complete with identification cards, clues, and more. These instant downloads can be printed at home, providing an almost instant mystery activity.

Online Mystery Games

For digital fun, various websites are offering free online mystery games that can be played on a computer or tablet. From simple click-and-find games to more complex detective activities, there’s something for everyone.

Mystery Story Activity Templates

Want to encourage some creative writing along with detective work? Download free mystery story templates online that guide the kids in writing their own thrilling tales.

Virtual Scavenger Hunts

Some websites offer free virtual scavenger hunts that can be played online. This is a good mystery that’s ideal for rainy days or when going outdoors isn’t an option.

A Few More Tips:

• Customize : Feel free to mix and match different ideas from both physical and online activities to create your own unique mystery game.
• Make Use of Free Trials : Some online platforms offer limited-time free trials for their more elaborate mystery games.
• Check Educational Sites : Websites that focus on educational games often have free or budget-friendly options that are both fun and enriching.

And there you have it— a host of mystery activities that are easy on the pocket but big on fun and learning. Whether you’re using free online resources or household items, there’s no shortage of ways to set your little detectives on an adventure they won’t soon forget. Ready to get started?

Mystery Activities for Kids Online

So you’re interested in taking the mystery fun online? Well, the digital world offers a plethora of options for young detectives. From simple mystery games to interactive detective activities, the internet has it all.

Websites and Apps You’ll Want to Check Out

Great for younger children, ABCmouse has interactive mystery stories that integrate educational elements like vocabulary and problem-solving skills. It’s a great way to make learning much fun.

Coolmath4Kids

For those little detectives who love numbers, Coolmath4Kids offers logic puzzles and problem-solving activities. These can help boost your child’s deductive reasoning skills while entertaining them with a good mystery.

Adventure Academy

For older kids, Adventure Academy provides more complex detective activities and even an entire mystery unit for those who really want to dive deep. It’s a great way to sharpen those observation skills and it’s perfect for a group of kids to tackle together.

Nancy Drew Interactive Games

Nancy Drew has gone digital. There are a variety of games available where players can step into the shoes of the iconic detective and solve mysteries on their own.

Google Earth’s Carmen Sandiego

Remember Carmen Sandiego? Well, she’s on Google Earth now, and your kids can track her across the globe. It’s a great way to combine geography lessons with fun detective games.

A Word on Safety

While online games can be a perfect game for your kids to engage in mystery activities, it’s important to keep a few safety tips in mind:

• Parental Control : Ensure the parental controls are enabled for all online gaming platforms.
• Secure Sites : Always check if the website is secure (look for https in the URL) before allowing your kids to play.
• Supervision : Especially for younger children, keep an eye on their activities to make sure they’re not stumbling upon something inappropriate.
• Review and Pre-Approve : Before letting your kids play a new online game, give it a go yourself to ensure it’s suitable for them.

So go ahead and turn screen time into detective time! Whether you’re solving mysteries on an app or unravelling clues in an online game, the digital world offers lots of ways for kids to hone their detective skills while having a blast.

Creative Twists on Traditional Mystery Games

Looking to level up your mystery game at home or in the classroom? Sometimes the classics are the best, but adding a little creative twist can make them even better. Here are some unique ways to take your mystery activities from good to great.

Clue: Real-Life Edition

We all love the board game Clue, right? How about turning it into a real-life version? Assign family members or friends the roles of the characters in the game. Leave “weapons” (maybe some toilet paper or a rubber ball) and clues around the house and let the fun detective games begin.

Scavenger Hunt Meets Escape Room

Combine the thrill of a scavenger hunt with the problem-solving challenges of an escape room. Create a series of clues that not only lead to the next clue but also include small task challenges or puzzles that need to be solved to move on. The aim of the game could be to solve a greater mystery or find a hidden treasure.

Choose Your Own Adventure Mystery Story

Remember those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? Why not create your own mystery story activity? Write a mystery story but leave multiple choices at key points. Depending on the choice made, the reader goes to a different section of the story. It adds an interactive element that makes for a super-engaging experience.

Mystery Baking

Who said cooking can’t be a mystery activity? Put a fun twist on family cooking night by turning it into a mystery bake-off. Give each child a mystery ingredient they have to use. The best part? You get to eat the clues at the end of the game!

Augmented Reality Detective

If you’re tech-savvy, create an augmented reality experience where clues can be found by scanning objects around the house with a phone or tablet. Kids can feel like real detectives but with a modern twist.

Starry Night Mystery

For an outdoor twist, why not host a treasure hunt under the stars? Make it extra special by incorporating a telescope and turning it into an astronomy lesson. Imagine finding the next clue by spotting a specific constellation.

Last-Minute Tips:

• Mix and Match : Feel free to combine elements from different activities to create your perfect game.
• Age-Appropriate : Always make sure that the complexity matches the age and skill level of the kids involved.
• Test It Out : Before rolling out your creative twist, try to run through it to make sure it works and is fun.

So there you have it! With a little creativity, you can turn classic mystery games into something uniquely exciting. Whether it’s incorporating new technology or combining two activities into one, the sky’s the limit when it comes to mystery fun. Ready to get those little detectives even more excited?

Tips for Making Mystery Games More Educational

So you want to make your mystery games not just fun, but also educational? Excellent idea! Mystery games offer a natural setting for incorporating all sorts of educational elements.

Math Puzzles for the Win

If your kids are into numbers, or even if they’re not, math puzzles can be a super engaging way to enhance their detective skills and arithmetic at the same time. Imagine needing to solve a quick multiplication problem to unlock the next clue or adding up a series of numbers to find the coordinates of the hidden treasure. It’s a great way to practice problem-solving skills and arithmetic.

History Comes Alive

If your little ones are interested in history or you just want to sneak in a lesson, turn your mystery game into a time-traveling adventure. They could solve mysteries that involve historical figures or events. For example, they might need to decode a secret message from Abraham Lincoln to proceed to the next stage. It’s a fun way to incorporate historical facts and make learning come alive.

Let’s Get Wordy

If you’re looking to boost language skills, consider using word puzzles or riddles as clues. You could create crossword puzzles or word searches that reveal the next clue when completed. This could enhance their vocabulary and spelling skills in a fun way. If you have older kids, you could up the ante with some cryptic crossword clues or even palindromes.

Science Sleuths

Why not incorporate scientific elements into your mystery game? They could solve a crime scene by understanding basic principles of chemistry, like using lemon juice to read an invisible ink message. Or maybe they have to identify various items under a magnifying glass to move ahead.

Observation Activities

Include activities that require kids to really use their observation skills. Perhaps they need to spot specific items or patterns, or maybe a keen eye for detail will reveal the secret agent in their midst. This will not only make the game more engaging but also sharpen those crucial observation skills.

Teamwork and Communication Skills

Turn your mystery game into a group activity to encourage teamwork and improve communication skills. They could split into teams and solve separate clues that come together for the final solution.

So there you have it! Whether you’re incorporating math puzzles or weaving in historical facts, mystery games can be a powerful tool for learning. Just remember to adjust the difficulty level to match the kids’ ages and you’re good to go. So go ahead and let the educational fun begin!

Wrapping Up Mystery Activities For Kids

So we’ve covered a whole array of mystery activities for kids, right from setting up your own mystery game to finding digital options online. Whether you’re at home, in the classroom, or even outside, there’s a mystery game to fit every setting and mood.

We talked about how you can jazz up classic games with some creative twists for that extra layer of fun. From real-life Clue to augmented reality experiences, the possibilities are endless for making your mystery game unique and engaging.

And let’s not forget the educational angle. With a little planning, these mystery games can go beyond fun and also become an excellent learning tool. Incorporate math puzzles, historical trivia, or word games to add a splash of education to the mix.

Looking for budget-friendly options? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. From free templates and instant downloads to DIY ideas that don’t require any specialized materials, there are plenty of resources available.

Remember, the aim is not just to solve the mystery but also to engage those young minds and maybe even learn something new along the way. So go ahead and set the stage for some mystery fun. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon at home or a classroom activity, a good mystery game can spark curiosity and offer hours of entertainment.

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Quick links, 10 great mystery box games you can play solo or in small groups.

Are you looking for fun things to do by yourself or as a small group of people? And perhaps better yet, from the comfort of your own home? If you’re the type of person that likes putting your brain to work to crack a mystery, then a mystery box game may be right for you!

But first, what is a mystery box game? A mystery box game is an at-home game that contains an objective to crack a case. As an example, the case could be figuring out who the perpetrator is for a murder or a kidnapping. The game provides all of the materials you need to explain the objective and give you the clues required to connect the dots.

Of course, it’s not quite as straightforward as it might sound. You’ll need to comb through the evidence and even solve some puzzles or riddles. This might mean translating encoded messages or figuring out through logic that someone has a real alibi. Or, the perpetrator may have left some very perplexing clues that require even more out-of-the-box thinking to unravel the truth.

If that sounds fun, then you’re in luck! There are many mystery box games you can try, all with a slightly different feel to them. Some have much richer storylines with less detective work. Others have lots of puzzles, which some players love, but less of a storyline. There are many flavors of mystery boxes for practically anyone, so let’s dive in and look at some of the best mystery box games out there.

Categories of Mystery Box Games

Here are 10 mystery box game companies grouped by common factors. Be sure to keep reading since there are in-depth reviews on each of them below!

Love stretching your mind and solving unique puzzles? Check out:

• Puzzling Pursuits for premium materials and a challenging, fun experience
• Deadbolt Mystery Society for solving puzzles within a classic mystery story
• Bluefish Games for a light-hearted story containing an eclectic mix of puzzles

Are you a fan of “true crime” shows or podcasts? You’ll enjoy:

• Hunt a Killer for its premium materials and long-form stories
• A Killing Affair for packing more value in every purchase

Want a game you can play with the kids? You’ll probably like:

• Finders Seekers for a subscription box that takes you to a new location every month
• The Conundrum Box for its adventure-themed boxes

Want a premium experience? Then you should look into:

• Society of Curiosities for its premium online and offline experience
• DarkPark Games for its immersive gameplay
• Crack-a-Nut Mysteries for its personalized touch

Puzzling Pursuits

We're starting with our own game offering, but we're not for everyone. If you are looking for one-off boxes (as opposed to a subscription) with premium materials and challenging puzzles, then this game is for you. Also,  Puzzling Pursuits games are a little different in that each of their games contains two parts. Many players split up a box into two or more play sessions, allowing this two-in-one game to be enjoyed for multiple hours. And at a low price point, they are one of the best bang-for-your-buck options on this list.

Some of the components in Puzzling Pursuit's La Famiglia

You might be interested to learn that each of the games is also set in a different historical time period. For instance,  BLACKBRIM: 1876  is set in Victorian England and will appeal to any Sherlock Holmes fans. Meanwhile,  LA FAMIGLIA  is set in the Roaring Twenties in Chicago when famous mobster Al Capone was alive. They are all packed full of a variety of puzzles to work through.

Not interested in a more challenging game? Want a subscription? Or looking to experience a shorter game? Then continue down to view other options on this list.

Puzzling Pursuits Summary

At $34.95 per (2 part) game with free shipping, they are very well-priced.

Subscription ? No

Their games are one-time purchases.

Storyline : Medium

Each game has a unique storyline, but also includes a wide variety of puzzles and clues to solve.

Types of Clues : Varied

Their clues consist of a variety of different puzzles and pieces of detective work a player will have to do.

Difficulty Rating: Medium to Hard

While many players new to mystery boxes have enjoyed Puzzling Pursuits games, they tend to be a harder than other options on the market. Check them out if you’re up for a challenge or don’t mind spending a few hours on a mystery box game.

Deadbolt Mystery Society

Deadbolt Mystery Society is another well-known company in the mystery box space. While they have a monthly subscription, each of their games are entirely self-contained. That means that one box lets you solve the complete mystery. The trade-off is that their storyline has less time to flesh out in comparison.

Source: Room Escape Artist

Deadbolt Mystery Society has many puzzles that are more akin to detective sleuthing. However, the puzzles don’t always fit into the narrative as neatly, and their materials are not as premium.

Deadbolt Mystery Society Summary

At ~$27 per game plus ~$5 shipping, they are well-priced for the several hours of entertainment most people will get.

Subscription ? Yes

They have a monthly subscription, or you can buy one-off games.

They showcase many characters with different relationships.

Deadbolt Mystery Society rates their boxes by difficulty from 1 to 10, based on player feedback. Their easiest box starts at 5/10 and their hardest boxes are 9/10. See their list of games with difficulty ratings here .

Bluefish Games

Bluefish Games began as a Kickstarter and now has two main games out, The Curious Elevator of Mr. Hincks and The Curious Stairs of Mr. Hincks. New players should start with the Elevator, which is easier, longer, and their main game offering. For a challenge, players can pick up Stairs and go up against a few very tricky puzzles!

Bluefish Games are known for a light storyline that is quirky and fun. Most importantly, Bluefish Games are perfect for players who love solving unique puzzles above all else. The Curious Elevator also appeals to players who don't have as much experience with mystery box games.

Source: The Escape Room-er

They also offer monthly Gazettes, which have a few puzzles within a newspaper format. The gazettes can be a great way to try out Bluefish Games since they are much cheaper (see below on pricing).

Summary of Bluefish Games

Their main game, The Curious Elevator of Mr. Hincks, is $37. Their next game which is about half the size, The Curious Stairs of Mr. Hincks, is $18, and there is a discount if you buy both together. The Gazette is $7 for one and $10 for two.

Storyline : Light

While there is a light-hearted, quirky premise, the main core of Bluefish Games are the unique puzzles.

You won’t get bored with the wide variety of clues and puzzles they have in their games.

Difficulty Rating:  Easy to Medium for The Curious Elevator, Hard for The Curious Stairs

Hunt a Killer

Hunt a Killer is one of the best-known companies in the mystery box game space. With over two million boxes sold to date, their main mystery games are in the form of a monthly subscription. Each mystery or storyline takes place over six months. Each month, they send you additional clues and information so that you can continue to narrow down the list of suspects. By the sixth month, you get your final box where you can figure out who the murderer is.

Source: Game Night Gods

The six month-long mystery has its pros and cons. On the one hand, the storyline is much richer since all of the characters can be fleshed out in great detail. However, for those that are considering giving it a try, it can be a large commitment upfront. Some players also don’t like the fact that the mystery is drawn out over six months - they’d rather play out the entire game sooner. Luckily, there are some options if that sounds like you.

First, you can try their one-off mystery box game, Death at a Dive Bar . This game can be bought at Target or on Amazon. The entire mystery can be solved within an hour or two, and the single purchase of $30 gives you all of the items you need to crack the case.

Second, you can buy an entire “season” (i.e. all six episodes of one mystery) at once second-hand for a discount. Many players are careful not to write on or modify any of the components, and then they re-sell the entire set afterwards, often for a steep discount. If this sounds interesting, you can check out ebay or groups such as the Mystery Subscription Discussion group on Facebook.

Hunt a Killer Summary

They are more expensive because playing through an entire mystery in their core subscription line is $30 x 6 = $180. However, they have high production quality. They have extremely realistic custom artwork and high-quality materials.

They mainly are a subscription but have a one-off game as well.

Storyline : Strong

They showcase many characters with different relationships. They do a good job capturing a wide range of human backgrounds, emotions, and potential motives.

Types of Clues : Largely detective work

Most of the work involves reading through large quantities of evidence and making logical deductions from there. 

Difficulty Rating: Easy to medium

Hunt a Killer is on the easier side of mystery box games. They are great for those who are new to mystery box games. They also have a rich storyline which can keep players entertained who are more used to this type of gameplay. However, there have been some complaints that some of their boxes are too easy (for instance, figuring out a box only took the players 5-10 minutes to solve… and then they have to wait an entire month for the next one).

A Killing Affair

A Killing Affair is similar to Hunt a Killer in that each mystery spans multiple boxes. In A Killing Affair’s case, each “season” (or mystery) spans 5 “episodes” (or boxes). Each episode will help you narrow down the suspects, and the final episode allows you to convict the killer.

Source: Etsy

The games have strong storylines, high-quality props, and unique puzzles. It is definitely worth checking out if you like Hunt a Killer and want to play a version that tries to raise the bar even further.

Summary of A Killing Affair

Their games are $32.50/month. Players tend to take a few hours to solve each box, and the total spend for a 5 episode mystery is $162.50.

They will ship your first episode usually within 24 hours and then your next episode is shipped in the middle of every month afterward.

Because the storyline is developed over 5 boxes, there are many characters that can be fleshed out.

They have a good mix of puzzles, websites to visit for more information, and actual physical evidence to examine for hidden clues.

Difficulty Rating: Medium

Finders Seekers

Finders Seekers is a family-friendly mystery box game. While there is an objective to complete for each box, rather than a murder it tends to be something more appropriate for any age. However, there is a mystery to solve every box, and you’ll need to work through all of the clues provided to crack the case.

Source: Geek Dad

Similar to Deadbolt Mystery Society, Finders Seekers has a monthly subscription, but each of the games they send out is fully encapsulated. Uniquely, each month also represents a particular location. Some past boxes are based in Toronto, San Francisco, and Athens. 

Finders Seekers Summary

At $30 per month, they are well-priced.

They have a monthly subscription.

This game will likely be more enjoyable to players who prefer solving puzzles over a deep storyline. Each game does delve into a variety of aspects of the month’s country, however. 

Difficulty Rating: Easy to Medium

Finders Seekers tend to be on the easier side of games out there. This makes them even more family friendly so that younger players can also contribute.

The Conundrum Box

The Conundrum Box is similar in style to Finders Seekers. It’s a family-friendly monthly (or bimonthly) subscription box service that is part escape room, part puzzle narrative. If you don’t want to sign up for a subscription right away, they also sell individual boxed games on their online store.

Source: ESCAPE THE ROOMers

The boxes are designed by an experienced group of escape room creators, board game makers, and puzzle enthusiasts. With 15 years of game creation experience, they’re also avid players themselves, having played through 800 escape rooms!

Summary of The Conundrum Box

All of their boxes are grounded in an event with a very unique storyline.

Society of Curiosities

Society of Curiosities is created by award-winning escape room designers. They spent 5 years running the Kauai Escape Room before shifting their efforts to Society of Curiosities. Their main product is a subscription that provides a monthly mailing that cycles between a main game and two mini puzzles. So in total, you get one main game every three months. They also have shorter online-only games that can be purchased as a one-off.

Their games have interesting digital elements. Many parts of the game require the players to text back and forth with a character in the storyline who is guiding the players to crack the case. Oftentimes, it feels like the character is real, even though most of the responses are actually automated.

Society of Curiosities Summary

While their price is $20/month, within a 3 month period, you would receive 1 full adventure, 1 mini mystery, and 1 postcard. So, you are paying $60 for the main adventure and a few small puzzles, making their price more middle of the pack.

They have a monthly subscription, though they also have one-off shorter digital-only games.

Storyline : Medium to Strong

The interactive online elements (e.g. texting back and forth with a character) help enrich the storyline.

Most of the work involves reading through evidence and making logical deductions from there. There are some ciphers and puzzles as well.

Most players should be able to make it through the entire game with perhaps only a few hints. It is enjoyable for new and more experienced players alike; the storyline and interactive elements have something to offer everyone.

DarkPark Games

DarkPark Games is another company that was founded by experienced escape room designers. Based in the Netherlands, they ship their games worldwide. They currently offer two games, Witchery Spell and Conspiracy-19.

Their games can be purchased individually and are not part of a subscription. Players will receive a large box and many different types of items. Unlike many of the other companies, DarkPark games contain a huge variety of different clues. This is part of their huge appeal: they have creative props that weave nicely into a rich storyline. However, due to their materials and also because they ship from the Netherlands, their games tend to be more expensive than most.

DarkPark Games Summary

Their games are $60 each plus shipping. To the US, that can be an additional $35-40. 

They only sell one-time purchase games.

Their storyline is enriched a great deal by the creative, high-quality props used. Each box contains many different items that are not usually found in mystery box games (e.g. special rocks, a container of salt, a candle, and more!).

Their games have a great variety of puzzles and detective work sprinkled throughout.

While many players new to mystery boxes have enjoyed DarkPark Games, they tend to be a bit harder than other options on the market. Check them out if you’re up for a challenge.

Crack-a-Nut Mysteries

Crack-a-Nut Mysteries is an artisanal mystery box experience, since each game is personalized to the players that ordered. Their offerings span different styles of gameplay and genres. S.O.U.P. (The Society for the Observation of Unknown Phenomena) contains humor and many puzzles throughout. Root of All Evil, on the other hand, has a darker premise with less of an emphasis on putting together clues or solving puzzles. Instead, it focuses on the narrative, taking the players along for an immersive story that unfolds through the use of items.

Source: Crack-a-Nut Mysteries

If you’re looking for a more premium mystery box experience, Crack-a-Nut Mysteries should have something for you.

Crack-a-Nut Mysteries Summary

Price: $$$$

Their games are $77-135 each plus shipping. To the US, that appears to be an extra $20. This makes them the most expensive option we’ve reviewed.

Their storyline is enriched a great deal by the props.

In Conclusion

If you’re looking for an engaging new form of entertainment, look no further than mystery boxes. With a wide variety of companies and games out there, you’re sure to find games you like.

Happy Puzzling!

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22 Enthralling Mystery Games for Kids

Get ready for an exciting adventure as we delve into the world of mystery games for kids!

These captivating games are perfect for young detectives and puzzle enthusiasts who love to unravel thrilling mysteries.

From solving crimes to uncovering hidden treasures, these games will keep your little ones engaged and entertained for hours.

With intriguing storylines, clever puzzles, and challenging investigations, these enthralling mystery games for kids are sure to ignite their imagination and critical thinking skills.

So grab your magnifying glass and get ready to embark on a journey filled with suspense, clues, and unexpected twists!

Detective Scavenger Hunt:

Organize a thrilling detective scavenger hunt for the kids, where they become super sleuths searching for hidden clues to solve a mystery. Create a series of clues that lead the kids from one location to another, ultimately revealing the final mystery. Each clue should require them to use their observation skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork to decipher the next step. Whether it’s finding a hidden message or unlocking a secret code, this activity will engage their minds and provide an exciting and interactive experience.

Escape Room Adventure:

Bring the excitement of an escape room to your home or local venue by setting up a mystery-themed escape room adventure for kids. Design a room with hidden objects, puzzles, and locks that they need to solve within a certain time limit to escape. The puzzles can range from finding keys, decoding messages, or unraveling riddles. This activity promotes critical thinking, communication, and teamwork as the kids work together to solve the mystery and successfully escape the room.

Secret Agent Training Camp:

Transform your backyard or a local park into a secret agent training camp for the kids. Set up various stations with spy-themed activities such as obstacle courses, code-breaking challenges, disguise creation, and stealthy missions. The kids can learn about surveillance, disguise techniques, and problem-solving as they navigate through the training camp. This action-packed activity will ignite their imagination and provide a hands-on experience of what it takes to be a secret agent.

Mystery Dinner Party:

Host a mystery dinner party where the kids become characters in a thrilling whodunit storyline. Assign each child a role and provide them with clues and information related to the mystery. Throughout the dinner party, they interact with one another, gather information, and try to solve the mystery by piecing together the clues. This activity not only encourages imaginative play but also enhances social skills as the kids engage in role-playing and collaborate to solve the mystery. Source: londoneventsatelier.com

DIY Mystery Board Game:

Encourage creativity and critical thinking by having the kids design their own mystery board game. Provide them with materials like a blank game board, dice, cards, and tokens. Let their imagination run wild as they create a captivating storyline, design unique characters, and develop intriguing clues and challenges. This activity not only nurtures their storytelling skills but also allows them to understand the mechanics of game design and problem-solving as they create a game that others can enjoy playing. Source: criticalthinkingsecrets.com

Cryptic Puzzle Challenge:

Challenge the kids with a series of cryptic puzzles that require them to decipher codes, solve wordplay riddles, and unravel mind-bending enigmas. Provide them with a collection of puzzles, each leading to the next one, and let them work individually or in teams to crack the codes and progress through the challenge. This activity enhances their critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills while keeping them thoroughly engaged and entertained. Source: funwithpuzzles.com Related: 20 Easy Father’s Day Crafts for 2 Year Olds

Mystery Book Club:

Form a mystery book club where kids can explore the captivating world of mystery novels. Choose age-appropriate mystery books and assign a specific reading period. Gather the kids for regular book club meetings, where they can discuss the plot, and characters, and share their theories about the mystery. Encourage them to engage in lively discussions, write book reviews, and even act out scenes from the books. This activity not only promotes reading but also fosters analytical thinking and comprehension skills. Source: literati.com

Crime Scene Investigation:

Create a mini crime scene for the kids to investigate as budding detectives. Set up a mock crime scene with clues, evidence, and suspects. Provide them with detective kits containing magnifying glasses, fingerprint kits, and notepads. The kids can collect evidence, analyze fingerprints, interrogate suspects (played by adults or older children), and use their deduction skills to solve the crime. This hands-on activity promotes observation skills, logical reasoning, and attention to detail. Source: thetrendyscienceteacher.com

Mystery Movie Marathon:

Host a mystery movie marathon where the kids can enjoy a series of suspenseful and intriguing mystery films. Choose age-appropriate movies that feature captivating mysteries and engaging storylines. After each movie, engage the kids in discussions about the plot, characters, and their predictions about the mystery. This activity not only entertains but also encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and storytelling as they discuss and analyze the movies. Source: momjunction.com

Clue-Inspired Treasure Hunt:

Put a twist on the classic treasure hunt by incorporating clues inspired by the popular board game Clue. Create a series of clues that lead the kids to different locations in search of hidden treasures. Each clue should be designed in the style of the game’s characters, such as Colonel Mustard or Miss Scarlet. The final treasure can be a small prize or a special treat. This activity combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with the mystery-solving elements of the Clue game, fostering problem-solving skills and excitement in the participants. Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Spy-Inspired Laser Maze:

Transform a room or hallway into a spy-inspired laser maze challenge for the kids. Use crepe paper or string to create a web of laser beams across the area. The kids must navigate through the maze without touching the lasers, pretending to be spies on a high-stakes mission. For added excitement, you can time them or challenge them to collect hidden objects along the way. This activity promotes agility, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making while providing a thrilling spy experience. Source: itsalwaysautumn.com

Puzzle Swap Party:

Organize a puzzle swap party where kids can trade and solve different mystery-themed puzzles. Each child brings a jigsaw puzzle and contributes it to the swap. Then, they take turns selecting new puzzles to solve. This activity not only encourages problem-solving skills but also promotes social interaction as the kids collaborate, share tips, and engage in friendly competition. At the end of the party, they can discuss their experiences and showcase completed puzzles. Source: puzzlestoplay.com

Forensic Science Workshop:

Introduce kids to the fascinating world of forensic science through a hands-on workshop. Set up various stations where they can learn about fingerprint analysis, DNA extraction, chromatography, and other forensic techniques. The kids can engage in experiments, analyze evidence, and solve mock crimes using scientific methods. This activity not only combines science and mystery but also promotes critical thinking, attention to detail, and scientific reasoning. Source: homeschool.com

Mystery Theater:

Encourage the kids to put on a mystery-themed theater production. Help them develop a script with a captivating mystery storyline, intriguing characters, and plot twists. They can rehearse their roles, design costumes, and create a stage set. The performance can be held for family and friends, allowing the kids to showcase their acting skills and creative storytelling abilities. This activity nurtures imagination, teamwork, and public speaking skills while providing a platform for self-expression. Source: icebreakerideas.com

Virtual Mystery Escape Room:

Bring the excitement of an escape room to the virtual realm by organizing a virtual mystery escape room experience. Utilize online platforms or video conferencing tools to create a virtual escape room where kids can work together to solve puzzles, find hidden clues, and unravel the mystery. The virtual environment adds an extra layer of challenge as they navigate through digital rooms and interact with virtual objects. This activity promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability in a technologically immersive setting. Source: teambuildinghub.com

Detective Training Academy:

Create a detective training academy where kids can participate in various training activities to sharpen their detective skills. Set up stations for fingerprint analysis, code-breaking, surveillance techniques, and evidence collection. The kids can rotate through the stations, learning and practicing different detective skills. This activity not only enhances their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities but also provides a fun and immersive experience of what it takes to be a detective. Source: scholastic.com

Mystery Science Experiments:

Combine mystery with science by organizing a series of mystery-themed science experiments for the kids. Create experiments that involve chemical reactions, forensic analysis, or even creating invisible ink. Each experiment can be accompanied by a mystery or puzzle that the kids need to solve using the scientific principles they have learned. This activity fosters scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and hands-on learning while incorporating elements of mystery and intrigue. Source: sciencing.com

Detective Role-Playing Game:

Engage the kids in an interactive detective role-playing game where they can become detectives and solve fictional cases. Provide them with character profiles, case files, and clues. They can interview witnesses, gather evidence, and piece together the puzzle to identify the culprit. This immersive activity promotes storytelling, communication, and deductive reasoning skills as the kids step into the shoes of detectives and work together to crack the cases. Source: happymomhacks.com

Mystery Art Workshop:

Host a mystery-themed art workshop where kids can create their own mysterious artworks. Provide them with art supplies such as paints, markers, and paper, and encourage them to express their interpretation of mystery through their art. They can create secret message artworks, and mysterious landscapes, or even design their own detective-themed comic strips. This activity nurtures creativity, imagination, and self-expression while exploring the theme of mystery through the medium of art. Source: lifeovercs.com

Mystery Puzzle Challenge:

Organize a mystery puzzle challenge where kids compete to solve various puzzles within a specified time limit. Set up a series of puzzles that range from crosswords and sudoku to logic puzzles and riddles. The kids can work individually or in teams to solve the puzzles and earn points. This activity promotes problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and friendly competition as the kids strive to be the first to crack the mystery puzzle challenge. Source: theguardian.com

Recommended:

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• 22 Delightful Manipulatives for Toddlers Activities
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Sohaib Hasan Shah

Sohaib's journey includes 10+ years of teaching and counseling experience at BCSS School in elementary and middle schools, coupled with a BBA (Hons) with a minor in Educational Psychology from Curtin University (Australia) . In his free time, he cherishes quality moments with his family, reveling in the joys and challenges of parenthood. His three daughters have not only enriched his personal life but also deepened his understanding of the importance of effective education and communication, spurring him to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.

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19 Online Murder Mystery Games (Free + Paid)

Here is our list of the best online murder mystery games.

Online murder mystery games are virtual activities where participants role-play a murder story to uncover the killer. Examples include MURDLE, You Can Only Die Once, and National Cook Offed. The purpose of these activities is to promote problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, and team building skills through an interactive activity. Plus, murder mystery games are a great time to dress up, play a character, and unwind!

These ideas are similar to examples of online games for large groups , online game night ideas , and online minute to win it games .

This list includes:

• online crime solving games
• murder mystery apps
• printable murder mystery games
• short online murder mystery games
• online group murder mystery games

Let’s get started!

List of online murder mystery games

From crime solving to detective investigations, there are many different types of murder mystery games to play virtually. Here are our top virtual murder mysteries to enjoy with your remote team.

Teams who absolutely love murder mysteries should check out MURDLE because it updates every single day! G.T. Garber spearheads this project. Garber uses MORIARTY, a proprietary algorithm, to plan each murder. The puzzles increase in difficulty throughout the week. Saturday is the hardest puzzle, while Sunday is the largest one. The puzzles only require good notetaking and investigative skills!

Players start by flipping over the cards. Cards reveal information about suspects, weapons, and locations. Below the cards, readers will find a list of clues and evidence. As players go through the evidence, they can use the scorecard on the side to keep track of theories. In the end, participants guess who, how, and where the murder took place. Best of all, fans can buy books that contain over 100 murdles each and feature a story to connect them all!

Check out MURDLE .

2. Roller Disco Disaster

Fans of the ’70s will have a blast during Roller Disco Disaster! This game sends your team back in time to the local roller disco spot, Death by Disco. A perpetrator takes this name too literally, though, and shoots a police officer during a fire alarm. Your team must work together to find the identity of the shooter and solve the crime!

This game set comes with guides for 14 characters, a host, a detective, ballots, and costumes. Plus, the kit includes audio playback files, evidence files, and even invitations! The game works on any conferencing software, and the activity length depends on the number of players.

Check out Roller Disco Disaster .

3. You Only Die Once

Teams can become James Bond heroes with You Only Die Once. This murder mystery takes place at the end of the Cold War. Evil masterminds and intelligence agencies alike gather to discuss a truce. However, before talks can begin, the body of Roger Damsels is discovered. Players must determine whether spies or villains were responsible for this MI6 agent’s death.

When searching for printable murder mystery games, Red Herring Games is a great choice. The firm offers this mystery for six to 20 players. For an additional fee, you can hire one of the firm’s hosts to run the game for you. This set features character booklets, invitations and envelopes, full instructions with a hosting guide, and theme and recipe suggestions. Plus, the inspector script is available as an MP3 file or video.

Check out You Only Die Once .

4. The Detective Club Murder

This free murder mystery game is a unique take on this activity. Ruth Ware has penned several mystery novels, including The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Lying Game . For a fun way for readers to interact with her books, Ware has created a free murder mystery game on her website.

Players in The Detective Club Murder are all members of an elite crime-writing group. The club meets up for their 50th anniversary, but writer Sir Aubrey St Clair gets stabbed in his study. Teams must work together to find the culprit, as it could be any one of them!

The site features character packs for each player, a host pack for leaders, and a set of murder mystery badges. Further, Ware recorded several video introductions to help set the scene. With eight possible endings, teams will love discovering the truth of The Detective Club Murder!

Check out The Detective Club Murder .

5. Cold Case Inc.

For a more unique take on online crime solving games, consider Cold Case Inc. This firm creates in-depth fictional cold cases that teams can solve together. Packages include crime scene photos, witness statements, audio recordings, and video footage.

Here are the available games to choose from:

• The Stonewood Mystery: This case follows the murder of Emily Williams, a teenager from a small English village.
• A Summer to Die For: Construction company owner Neil Collins is murdered, and players have to investigate a large list of suspects.
• The Elite Grand Enigma: Isabella Novakova, a renowned socialite, dies under mysterious circumstances.

Games include plenty of suspects, clues, and red herrings to keep players on their toes!

Check out Cold Case Inc .

6. 5 Minute Mystery

If your team is interested in short online murder mystery games, then consider checking out 5 Minute Mystery! This site publishes two new mysteries per week, so there are always new murders to solve. Teams will find clues, search for solutions, and solve the case!

One example of an available mystery is The Missing Dagger. In this case, lifelong friends from junior high discuss a deadly and beautiful jewel-encrusted dagger.

To play games on this site, team members need to create free accounts. Then, folks can join or create leagues. Best of all, players can even write and submit their own stories to the site! 5 Minute Mystery even has a leaderboard to keep track of top players.

Check out 5 Minute Mystery .

7. Pirates, Plunder, and Murder

Employees can put on their eye patches and peg legs during this swashbuckling adventure! Pirates, Plunder, and Murder takes place in 1715 at Port Plunder. A group of pirates and captives crash land at the port while following a treasure map to the Kraken’s Crown. Pirates soon find their captain, Billy Blood, stabbed with a cutlass. Plus, the treasure map is missing. Teams must solve both mysteries before Hook-Handed Hal comes looking for the map!

Teams of six to 14 can play this game together. The kit includes host instructions, character booklets, and themed party invitations. Plus, the set has plenty of clues to keep players on their toes! Consider this mystery for an adventure on the high seas.

Check out Pirates, Plunder, and Murder .

8. The Greatest Murder

This circus-themed murder will keep teams on their toes! In this adventure, players are circus workers who are celebrating the end of a successful show. As performers party, tensions rise, and several arguments break out. By the end of the night, one of the Burnam brothers turns up dead. Players must decide who the killer is and whether or not that particular Burnam was the real target!

Games last from one and a half to three and a half hours, and up to 20 players can join in. With this kit, hosts even get to play along! The downloadable set features a host guide, detective audio files, and evidence packs. Also, hosts will receive character booklets, game ballots, costume suggestions, and game invitations.

Check out The Greatest Murder .

9. Murder At Madgrove Manor

This murder mystery combines with an escape room for the ultimate team building fun! In this double murder, Augustus Madgrove and his wife Edna were killed at a grand party they were hosting. Only the highest society members were invited to the party, leaving townspeople on edge about the killer’s identity. Detectives discover crytpic clues in nine different rooms that they hope lead to the murderer.

Players must solve the puzzles in each of the nine rooms to escape. Plus, the game features a final puzzle that reveals the killer! Players can join from any device, and the game even offers a digital notepad. Teams can simply join from a single link and solve the mystery!

Check out Murder At Madgrove Manor .

10. The Disappearance of Kitty Wake

In this two-crime mystery, a murder takes place in Fawnton that inspires detectives to reopen the missing persons case of Kitty Wake. Players must look at evidence from ten years ago and today in order to see if the two cases are connected. Additionally, participants must question suspects, and the questions asked will change what they learn.

This story spans four in-game days, so teams can either play the entire game in one sitting or space it out. Players can work together over Zoom and see which of the six suspects committed the modern-day murder!

Check out The Disappearance of Kitty Wake .

11. National Cook Offed

Food fanatics will love checking out these cooking-contest themed mystery! In this story, controversial judge Henry Chester arrives at the finale of a cooking show. His history of rude comments and reviews has caught up to him, and one of the suspects silences Chester for good. Players must decide whether the killer is a jealous co-judge, former show contestant, or even a crew member.

Players will have access to suspect interview recordings, case evidence, hidden clues, and added puzzles. Hosts can also check out the final solution in a password-protected file. Teams can stir up some mystery in the kitchen with this kit!

Check out National Cook Offed .

12. Blood, Gold & A Night of Jazz

If you want to surprise your team with a murder mystery that is shocking, unpredictable, and exciting, then you should play Blood, Gold & A Night of Jazz. The story takes place in a tech mogul’s home, where a horrible murder was committed. As part of the game, each player receives a specific character and backstory. Then, team members act out their roles and work together to uncover the killer’s identity.

This game accommodates groups of 4 to 14 players. Plus, each game comes with visual guides, graphics, and instructions that make gameplay simple, even for beginners.

Check out Blood, Gold & A Night of Jazz .

13. Black Noir Murder Escape

One of the best online group murder mystery games is Black Noir Murder Escape. In this story, your team solves a public figure’s murder. All players in this game take on the role of Private Investigator Mr. Jones.

Black Noir’s gameplay is different from other murder mystery experiences. Instead of having each player join the game from their own computer, one participant takes control. The lead player’s responsibility is to open the game in their browser and share their screen on Zoom for the rest of the group to see. The lead player takes cues from teammates and moves through the story as the whole team works together to complete challenges.

Black Noir Murder Escape is best suited for groups of three to five players. If you have a larger team, then we suggest moving smaller groups into breakout rooms.

Check out Black Noir Murder Escape .

14. Prom Nightmare

Prom Nightmare is a murder mystery game that takes place at a high school prom. Each character in the story has an interesting and unique storyline, which keeps players on their toes. Be sure to encourage team members to dress in their best prom attire for your event.

This game accommodates up to 14 players. Each package includes audio files, detective guides, templates, and invitations to help you efficiently plan your event. If you want to transport your team members back in time to relive their high school years, then Prom Nightmare is the best choice.

Learn more about Prom Nightmare .

15. Night of Mystery

Night of Mystery is home to a wide range of murder mystery games and templates. You can search the website for a thrilling and unique theme that best suits your team.

Themes available on Night of Mystery include:

• Murder in Sin City
• Trailer Park Tragedy
• A Clueless Murder
• Murder of a Millionaire
• Lights, Camera, MURDER
• Murder in Margaritaland
• Murder at the Deadwood Saloon
• Murder Off the Field

Once you choose a theme, download the PDF and familiarize yourself with the plot, roles, and directions. Then, set up a Zoom meeting and solve the mystery alongside your teammates.

Learn more about Night of Mystery .

16. Broadway Murder Mysteries

Broadway Murder Mysteries is a unique murder mystery experience focused on theater and acting. This platform offers 20 game templates and themes to suit any team. A playwright pens each story, and voice actors perform the lines, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the game. Although most stories include 4 to 20 main characters, additional players are welcome to join the game as detectives.

Explore Broadway Murder Mysteries .

17. Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries

Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries offers six murder mystery game themes that accommodate 6 to 12 players. With different cases to choose from, you will surely find a story that your team will enjoy.

Themes available on the platform include:

• Murder in the West Wing
• Space Smugglers
• That Show About Love
• Superheroes

The best part about Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries is that each game has a dedicated host to guide your team, answer questions, and moderate the activity.

Explore Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries .

18. My Mystery Party

My Mystery Party is home to a vast selection of murder mystery games. Be sure to browse through the options before choosing a game for you and your team. Once you choose a storyline and begin your game, an experienced staff member can answer any of your questions and provide assistance during your game.

My Mystery Party offers over 100 murder mystery themes for all ages. With games that accommodate up to 300 players, you will surely find the perfect option for your team. The best part about this platform is that you can instantly download your game of choice for your virtual event.

Explore My Mystery Party .

19. Suspects: Mystery Mansion

Teams interested in murder mystery apps should check out Suspects: Mystery Mansion. Up to nine players go to a mansion to solve a murder mystery. However, the killer is still in the group and is trying to stop the investigation! Players will do different tasks to investigate the crimes. Between rounds, players will have discussions to see if they can identify the killer. Then, members will vote to remove a player from the mansion. If players accidentally remove an innocent guest, though, then the killers are closer to winning the game! This game combines collaboration and communication in a fun and exciting app.

Check out Suspects: Mystery Mansion on Android and Apple .

Online murder mystery games allow teammates to spend time with each other while engaging in a fun social activity. As part of this game, team members work together to solve a mystery and find the killer. Murder mystery games are ideal if you are looking to enhance team building and bonding among your employees. Plus, teammates can play together without leaving their homes.

You can host virtual murder mysteries on a variety of platforms, such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. The best part about remote murder mystery games is that this activity promotes important skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Next, check out our lists of online group tours , virtual offsite ideas , and online games to play on Zoom .

FAQ: Online murder mystery games

Here are answers to common questions about online murder mystery games.

What are online murder mystery games?

Online murder mystery games are role-playing games where players act as detectives to solve a crime. Your team can play these games virtually on video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. You can find many game options available online, from free game templates to fully hosted events.

What are some good free online murder mystery games?

Although many online murder mysteries are for sale, many free options are available online.

Some of the best free online murder mystery games include:

• Suspects: Mystery Mansion
• 5 Minute Mystery
• The Detective Club Murder

If you are looking for free virtual murder mystery games to play with your team, then we recommend researching different versions online until you find a template your team members will enjoy.

How do I play online murder mystery games?

Before you begin your online murder mystery game, decide if you want to lead the game yourself or work with an outside company to host the event.

If you choose to enlist the help of experienced professionals, then do your research to choose a game that your team will enjoy. For example, you should explore different options, schedule a date and time, and follow any instructions to make your event a success. This option allows you to book a fully hosted murder mystery game online, which takes the burden of planning off your shoulders.

If you decide to lead the activity yourself, then you can research game templates online. Be sure to choose a template that is simple enough to lead on your own. Once you choose a template, read all materials, assign roles to each player, and practice your presentation. Then, set a date and time, create an online meeting, and share the meeting link with team members.

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7 Fun Mystery Activities For High Schoolers

Ahoy there, mystery enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into the world of intrigue, riddles, and clues? If so, then you’re in for a treat! For high schoolers, mystery activities are a fantastic way to exercise the brain, challenge your problem-solving skills, and most importantly, have a blast! 

Whether you’re a budding detective, or just enjoy the thrill and adrenaline rush out of solving mysteries, these mystery activities are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. At the same time, who doesn’t have the point of having some fun in the last years of school on their bucket lists ? So, let’s lace up our Sherlock Holmes boots, don our magnifying glasses, and get ready to crack some cases!

Enthralling mystery activities for high school students

Did you just indulge in a career exploration activity, and discover that all you wish to be in life is a detective, or have something to do with solving mysteries? Well, then here are a bunch of activities especially curated for you, to help you navigate through the adventures of mystery: 

1. Mysterious Artifacts

Get ready for a journey like no other as you embark on the ultimate quest for “The Mysterious Artefacts!” This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to use their analytical skills, creativity, and curiosity to uncover the secrets of some of the world’s most fascinating relics.

Each student will be given an artifact to research and analyze, delving into its history, origins, and purpose. They will explore the artifact’s cultural significance, examine its intricate details, and search for hidden meanings and symbols. With the help of cutting-edge technology and research resources, students will be able to uncover the mysteries of their artifacts and uncover their place in history.

The Mysterious Artefacts activity is more than just a research project. It’s an adventure through time, a journey through history, and a quest for knowledge. Whether you’re a history buff, a puzzle-solver, or just looking for a challenge, this activity is guaranteed to engage, inspire, and amaze you. So gather your classmates, sharpen your minds, and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

2. Mystery Book Club

Step into the world of mystery and intrigue with the “Mystery Book Club” experience! This activity is designed to bring high schoolers on a journey through the thrilling world of mystery novels and to challenge their critical thinking and deduction skills.

Students will start by reading a classic mystery novel, such as “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle. They will delve into the plot, characters, and themes, exploring the motivations and suspects, and discussing their theories and observations with their classmates.

It can also feature interactive simulations, virtual reality adventures, and live actors, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience. So why not gather your book club, sharpen your minds, and get ready to solve the mystery of the century!

3. Cold Case Investigation

Uncover the truth and solve the mystery with the “Cold Case Investigation” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to use their critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to unravel the secrets of real-life cold cases.

Students will be presented with a real-life cold case, such as a missing person case, or an unsolved theft case. They will have access to a wealth of information and resources, including police reports, witness statements, and other evidence. Using this information, they will work together in teams to research and investigate the case, analyzing the facts and developing their own theories.

This experience is unlike any other, featuring interactive simulations, virtual reality adventures, and live actors, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience. So why not gather your team, sharpen your skills, and get ready to solve the case of the century!

4. Mystery Guest Speaker

Gear up for a mystery-filled adventure with the “Mystery Guest Speaker” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers’ critical thinking and deduction skills in a unique and engaging way.

Invite a mysterious guest speaker to address the class, and let the guessing game begin! The guest speaker will arrive incognito, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, and the students will be tasked with using their critical thinking and deduction skills to determine their identity and purpose.

As the guest speaker presents their talk, the students will be on high alert, analyzing their mannerisms, speech patterns, and background information. They will work together in teams, exchanging information and observations, and using their deduction skills to unravel the mystery.

5. Mystery Tour

Uncover the hidden secrets and legends of your school or community with the “Mystery Tour” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to use their research, creativity, and communication skills in a unique and engaging way.

Students will plan and lead a mystery tour of their school or community, introducing visitors to the history, legends, and mysteries of the area. They will conduct research, gathering information and uncovering hidden gems and obscure facts about the location.

The students will use their creativity and communication skills to craft a captivating and educational experience, highlighting the hidden secrets and intriguing stories of the area. The tour will feature interactive simulations, virtual reality adventures, and live actors, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for the visitors.

The Mystery Tour is a great way for students to showcase their research and communication skills, as well as to engage with the community and share their knowledge of the area. So why not gather your classmates, sharpen your research skills, and get ready to take your visitors on a journey through the unknown!

6. Mystery Writing Workshop

Unleash your inner detective and put your creativity and imagination to the test with the “Mystery Story Writing” experience! This activity is designed to challenge high schoolers to develop their writing and storytelling skills in a unique and engaging way.

Each student will have the opportunity to write their own mystery story, complete with unique and interesting characters, settings, and plots. They will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild, and craft a captivating tale that will keep their peers on the edge of their seats.

After the stories are written, students will have the opportunity to share their work with the class for peer review and feedback. This is a great opportunity for students to receive constructive criticism and suggestions, as well as to get a sense of what works and what doesn’t in their stories. This activity is a fun and creative way for students to develop their writing and storytelling skills, and showcase their talents to their classmates. 

7. Secret Society Scavenger Hunt

Embark on an epic journey with the “Cryptic Scavenger Hunt” experience! This activity will challenge high schoolers to use their critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity skills in a thrilling and engaging way.

Students will be divided into teams and given a series of cryptic clues that lead them to different locations within the school. Each clue will test their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as they work together to uncover the next location. The final clue will lead them to the secret society meeting place, where they will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and teamwork skills.

This activity is a fun and creative way for students to work together, showcase their skills, and develop a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

So why not gather your team, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and get ready to embark on an epic journey through the halls of your school! The secret society meeting place awaits!

In conclusion, mystery activities are a truly exceptional way for high schoolers to flex their mental muscles, exercise their critical thinking skills, and experience the thrill of the unknown. Hence, these can be great life-skill activities too. Whether you’re a seasoned detective, a first-time problem solver, or simply looking for a new adventure, these mystery activities are guaranteed to provide hours of fun and excitement. From challenging escape rooms to captivating murder mysteries, there’s a mystery experience waiting for everyone.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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22 Unbeatable Team Building Problem Solving Activities

Problem-solving is a critical skill for professionals and with team building problem-solving activities, you can sharpen your skills while having fun at the same time.  

Updated: March 1, 2024

In the professional world, one thing is for sure: problem-solving is a vital skill if you want to survive and thrive. It’s a universal job skill that organizations seek in new potential employees and that managers look for when considering candidates for promotions.  

But there’s a problem. 

According to Payscale, 60% of managers feel that new grads entering the workforce lack problem-solving abilities – making it the most commonly lacking soft skill.  

Problem-solving skill needs to be practiced and perfected on an ongoing basis in order to be applied effectively when the time comes. And while there are tons of traditional approaches to becoming a better problem-solver, there’s another (much more interesting) option: team building problem-solving activities. 

The good news? This means learning and having fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And you can create a stronger team at the same time. 

16 In-Person Team Building Problem Solving Activities for Your Work Group  

1. cardboard boat building challenge, 2. egg drop , 3. clue murder mystery, 4. marshmallow spaghetti tower  , 5. corporate escape room, 6. wild goose chase, 7. lost at sea  , 8. domino effect challenge, 9. reverse pyramid  , 10. ci: the crime investigators, 11. team pursuit, 12. bridge builders, 13. domino effect challenge, 14. hollywood murder mystery, 15. code break, 16. cardboard boat building challenge, 6 virtual team building problem solving activities for your work group  , 1. virtual escape room: mummy’s curse, 2. virtual clue murder mystery, 3. virtual escape room: jewel heist, 4. virtual code break  , 5. virtual trivia time machine.

• 6. Virtual Jeoparty Social

There are a ton of incredible team building problem solving activities available. We’ve hand-picked 16 of our favorites that we think your corporate group will love too. 

Split into teams and create a cardboard boat made out of just the materials provided: cardboard and tape. Team members will have to work together to engineer a functional boat that will float and sail across water without sinking. Once teams have finished making their boats, they will create a presentation to explain why their boat is the best, before putting their boats to the test. The final challenge will have teams racing their boats to test their durability! Nothing says problem-solving like having to make sure you don’t sink into the water!

Every day at work, you’re forced to make countless decisions – whether they’re massively important or so small you barely think about them.  

But your ability to effectively make decisions is critical in solving problems quickly and effectively.  

With a classic team building problem solving activity like the Egg Drop, that’s exactly what your team will learn to do. 

For this activity, you’ll need some eggs, construction materials, and a place you wouldn’t mind smashing getting dirty with eggshells and yolks.  

The goal of this activity is to create a contraption that will encase an egg and protect it from a fall – whether it’s from standing height or the top of a building. But the challenge is that you and your team will only have a short amount of time to build it before it’s time to test it out, so you’ll have to think quickly! 

To make it even more challenging, you’ll have to build the casing using only simple materials like: 

• Newspapers 
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber bands
• Popsicle sticks
• Cotton balls

Feel free to have some fun in picking the materials. Use whatever you think would be helpful without making things too easy! 

Give your group 15 minutes to construct their egg casing before each team drops their eggs. If multiple eggs survive, increase the height gradually to see whose created the sturdiest contraption.  

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of using eggs for this activity, consider using another breakable alternative, such as lightbulbs for a vegan Egg Drop experience. 

With Clue Murder Mystery, your team will need to solve the murder of a man named Neil Davidson by figuring out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit the crime.

But it won’t be easy! You’ll need to exercise your best problem-solving skills and channel your inner detectives if you want to keep this case from going cold and to get justice for the victim.

Collaboration is critical to problem solving. 

Why? Because, as the old saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This expression reflects the fact that people are capable of achieving greater things when they work together to do so. 

If you’re looking for a team building problem solving activity that helps boost collaboration, you’ll love Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower.  

This game involves working in teams to build the tallest possible freestanding tower using only marshmallows, uncooked spaghetti, tape, and string.  

The kicker? This all has to be done within an allotted timeframe. We recommend about thirty minutes.  

For an added dimension of challenge, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower to make it a little more top heavy.  

Whichever team has the highest tower when time runs out is the winner! 

If you’ve never participated in an escape room, your team is missing out! It’s one of the most effective team building problem solving activities out there because it puts you and your colleagues in a scenario where the only way out is collaboratively solving puzzles and deciphering clues.  

The principle is simple: lock your group in a room, hide the key somewhere in that room, and have them work through challenges within a set time frame. Each challenge will lead them one step closer to finding the key and, ultimately, their escape.    

At Outback, we offer “done-for-you” escape rooms where we’ll transform your office or meeting room so you don’t have to worry about:

• Seeking transportation for your team 
• Capacity of the escape rooms  
• High costs 
• Excessive planning  

That way, you and your team can simply step inside and get to work collaborating, using creative problem solving, and thinking outside the box.   

In this smartphone-based scavenger hunt team building activity , your group will split into teams and complete fun challenges by taking photos and videos around the city. Some examples of challenges you can do in this activity are:

• Parkour:  Take a picture of three team members jumping over an object that’s at least waist-high.
• Beautiful Mind:  Snap a photo of a team member proving a well-known mathematical theorem on a chalkboard.
• Puppy Love:  Take a photo of all of your team members petting a stranger’s dog at the same time.

It takes a ton of critical thinking and problem-solving to be crowned the Wild Goose Chase Champions!

Can you imagine a higher-pressure situation than being stranded at sea in a lifeboat with your colleagues? 

With this team building problem solving activity, that’s exactly the situation you and your group will put yourselves. But by the time the activity is over, you’ll have gained more experience with the idea of having to solve problems under pressure – a common but difficult thing to do. 

Here’s how it works. 

Each team member will get a six-columned chart where: 

• The first column lists the survival items each team has on hand (see the list below) 
• The second column is empty so that each team member can rank the items in order of importance for survival  
• The third column is for group rankings  
• The fourth column is for the “correct” rankings, which are revealed at the end of the activity 
• The fifth and sixth columns are for the team to enter thee difference between their individual and correct scores and the team and correct rankings 

Within this activity, each team will be equipped with the following “survival items,” listed below in order of importance, as well as a pack of matches:  

• A shaving mirror (this can be used to signal passing ships using the sun) 
• A can of gas (could be used for signaling as it could be put in the water and lit with the pack of matches) 
• A water container (for collecting water to re-hydrate ) 
• Emergency food rations (critical survival food) 
• One plastic sheet (can be helpful for shelter or to collect rainwater) 
• Chocolate bars (another food supply) 
• Fishing rods (helpful, but no guarantee of catching food) 
• Rope (can be handy, but not necessarily essential for survival) 
• A floating seat cushion (usable as a life preserver)  
• Shark repellant (could be important when in the water) 
• A bottle of rum (could be useful for cleaning wounds) 
• A radio (could be very helpful but there’s a good chance you’re out of range) 
• A sea chart (this is worthless without navigation equipment) 
• A mosquito net (unless you’ve been shipwrecked somewhere with a ton of mosquitos, this isn’t very useful) 

To get the activity underway, divide your group into teams of five and ask each team member to take ten minutes on their own to rank the items in order of importance in the respective column. Then, give the full team ten minutes as a group to discuss their individual rankings together and take group rankings, listed in that respective column. Ask each group to compare their individual rankings with those of the group as a whole. 

Finally, read out the correct order according to the US Coast Guard, listed above.  

The goal of this activity is for everyone to be heard and to come to a decision together about what they need most to survive.  

If your team works remotely, you can also do this activity online. Using a video conferencing tool like  Zoom , you can bring your group together and separate teams into “break-out rooms” where they’ll take their time individually and then regroup together. At the end, you can bring them back to the full video conference to go through the answers together. 

Many problems are intricately complex and involve a ton of moving parts. And in order to solve this type of problem, you need to be able to examine it systematically, one piece at a time.  

Especially in the business world, many problems or challenges involve multiple different teams or departments working through their respective portions of a problem before coming together in the end to create a holistic solution. 

As you can imagine, this is often easier said than done. And that’s why it’s so important to practice this ability.  

With a collaborative team building problem solving activity like Domino Effect Challenge, that’s exactly what you’ll need to do as you and your group work to create a massive, fully functional chain reaction machine. 

Here’s how it goes. 

Your group will break up into teams, with each team working to complete their own section of a massive “Rube Goldberg” machine. Then, all teams will regroup and assemble the entire machine together. You’ll need to exercise communication, collaboration, and on-the-fly problem solving in order to make your chain reaction machine go off without a hitch from start to finish. 

Being a great problem-solver means being adaptable and creative. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy team building problem solving activity, you’ll love the reverse pyramid. 

The idea here is simple: break your group out into small teams and then stand in the form of a pyramid.  

Your challenge is to flip the base and the peak of the pyramid – but you can only move three people in order to do so.  

Alternatively, rather than doing this activity with people as the pyramid, you can do another version –  the Pyramid Build  – using plastic cups instead.   

This version is a little bit different. Rather than flipping the base of a pyramid to the top, you’ll need to build the pyramid instead–but in reverse, starting from the top cup and working down. 

With this version, you’ll need 36 cups and one table per group. We recommend groups of five to seven people. Give your group 20 to 30 minutes to complete the activity. 

To get started, place one cup face down. Then, lift that cup and place the subsequent two cups underneath it. 

The real challenge here? You can only lift your pyramid by the bottom row in order to put a new row underneath – and only one person at a time can do the lifting. The remaining group members will need to act quickly and work together in order to add the next row so that it will balance the rest of the pyramid. 

If any part of your pyramid falls, you’ll need to start over. Whichever team has the most complete pyramid when time runs out will be the winner!  

The value of being able to approach problems analytically can’t be overstated. Because when problems arise, the best way to solve them is by examining the facts and making a decision based on what you know. 

With CI: The Crime Investigators, this is exactly what your team will be called upon to do as you put your detective’s hats on and work to solve a deadly crime. 

You’ll be presented with evidence and need to uncover and decipher clues. And using only the information at your disposal, you’ll need to examine the facts in order to crack the case. 

Like many of our team building problem solving activities, CI: The Crime Investigators is available in a hosted format, which can take place at your office or an outside venue, as well as a virtually-hosted format that uses video conferencing tools, or a self-hosted version that you can run entirely on your own.  

Each member of your team has their own unique strengths and skills. And by learning to combine those skills, you can overcome any challenge and solve any problem. With Team Pursuit, you and your team together to tackle challenges as you learn new things about one another, discover your hidden talents, and learn to rely on each other.

This team building problem solving activity is perfect for high-energy groups that love to put their heads together and work strategically to solve problems as a group.

Collaborate with your colleague to design and build different segments of a bridge. At the end, see if the sections come together to create a free-standing structure!   

Together as a group, see if you and your colleagues can build a gigantic “chain-reaction” machine that really works!

In smaller groups, participants work together to solve the challenge of creating sections of the machine using miscellaneous parts, and at the end, you’ll have to collaborate to connect it all together and put it in motion.

The case is fresh, but here’s what we know so far: we’ve got an up-and-coming actress who’s been found dead in her hotel room following last night’s awards show.

We have several suspects, but we haven’t been able to put the crime on any of them for sure yet. Now, it’s up to you and your team of detectives to crack the case. Together, you’ll review case files and evidence including police reports, coroners’ reports, photo evidence, tabloids, interrogations, and phone calls as you determine the motive, method, and murderer and bring justice for the victim.

You’ll need to put your problem-solving skills to the test as you share theories, collaborate, and think outside the box with your fellow investigators.

Using Outback’s app, split up into small groups and put your heads together to solve a variety of puzzles, riddles, and trivia. The team who has completed the most challenges when time is up, wins!

Can you stay afloat in a body of water in a boat made entirely of cardboard? Now that is a problem that urgently needs solving.

With this team building problem solving activity, you and your colleagues will split into groups and create a cardboard boat made out of just the materials provided – cardboard and tape.

Team members will have to work together to engineer a functional boat that will float and sail across water without sinking. Once teams have finished making their boats, they will create a presentation to explain why their boat is the best, before putting their boats to the test. The final challenge will have teams racing their boats across the water!

If you and your team are working remotely, don’t worry. You still have a ton of great virtual team building problem solving options at your disposal.

In this virtual escape room experience, your team will be transported into a pyramid cursed by a restless mummy. You’ll have to work together to uncover clues and solve complex challenges to lift the ancient curse.

You’ve probably never heard of a man named Neil Davidson. But your group will need to come together to solve the mystery of his murder by analyzing clues, resolving challenges, and figuring out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit a deadly crime. 

This activity will challenge you and your group to approach problems analytically, read between the lines, and use critical thinking in order to identify a suspect and deliver justice.  

If you and your team like brainteasers, then Virtual Escape Room: Jewel Heist will be a big hit.  

Here’s the backstory.

There’s been a robbery. Someone has masterminded a heist to steal a priceless collection of precious jewels, and it’s up to you and your team to recover them before time runs out.

Together, you’ll need to uncover hidden clues and solve a series of brain-boggling challenges that require collaboration, creative problem-solving, and outside-the-box thinking. But be quick! The clock is ticking before the stolen score is gone forever.

With Virtual Code Break, you and your team can learn to be adaptive and dynamic in your thinking in order to tackle any new challenges that come your way. In this activity, your group will connect on a video conferencing platform where your event host will split you out into teams. Together, you’ll have to adapt your problem-solving skills as you race against the clock to tackle a variety of mixed brainteaser challenges ranging from Sudoku to puzzles, a game of Cranium, riddles, and even trivia. 

Curious to see how a virtual team building activity works? Check out this video on a Virtual Clue Murder Mystery in action. 

Step into the Outback Time Machine and take a trip through time, from pre-pandemic 21st century through the decades all the way to the 60’s. 

This exciting, fast-paced virtual trivia game, packed with nostalgia and good vibes, is guaranteed to produce big laughs, friendly competition, and maybe even some chair-dancing. 

Your virtual game show host will warm up guests with a couple of “table hopper rounds” (breakout room mixers) and split you out into teams. Within minutes, your home office will be transformed into a game show stage with your very own game show buzzers! 

And if your team loves trivia, check out our list of the most incredible virtual trivia games for work teams for even more ideas.

6.  Virtual Jeoparty Social

If your remote team is eager to socialize, have some fun as a group, and channel their competitive spirit, we’ve got just the thing for you! With Virtual Jeoparty Social, you and your colleagues will step into your very own virtual Jeopardy-style game show—equipped with a buzzer button, a professional actor as your host, and an immersive game show platform! Best of all, this game has been infused with an ultra-social twist: players will take part in a unique social mixer challenge between each round. 

With the right team building problem solving activities, you can help your team sharpen their core skills to ensure they’re prepared when they inevitably face a challenge at work. And best of all, you can have fun in the process. 

Do you have any favorite team building activities for building problem-solving skills? If so, tell us about them in the comments section below! 

Learn More About Team Building Problem Solving Activities  

For more information about how your group can take part in a virtual team building, training, or coaching solution, reach out to our Employee Engagement Consultants.     

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And stay updated, related articles.

The Role of Corporate Training in Employee Experience

18 Incredible Virtual Trivia Games for Work Teams

29 Spring Team Building Activities to Help Shake Off the Winter Blues [Updated for 2024]

I love how this blog provides a variety of problem-solving activities for team building. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to foster teamwork and collaboration!

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PS PK K 1 2 3 72 Comments

Christmas problem solving activity

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• Pinterest 2825

I have a problem.

I’m a clip art addict.

Sometimes I buy clip art without any idea what I’m going to create … because it’s Just. So. Perfect.

That’s how I felt about this Christmas sweater clip art. How could I resist?

Thankfully, I thought of the perfect use for these adorable sweaters … problem solving!

I created a set of task cards. Each card has a set of clues to help kids determine the mystery sweater.

As soon as my Six saw it, he was excited to play.

Examples of clues:

• The sweater has  a V-neck.
• The sweater does not have polka dots.
• The front of the sweater has something you can hang on a tree.

By the last clue, he had narrowed down the possibilities until he knew which was the mystery sweater. He wrote its letter on his recording sheet.

As he did the activity, I realized that the activity reinforces quite a few skills:

• Basic reading skills
• Close reading skills (detail is important here!)
• Basic logic
• Problem solving

It surprised me when my son didn’t always cover the correct sweaters. For example, with a clue like this one:  The sweater does not have a face on it , he should cover the sweaters with faces because none of them can be the mystery sweater.

Instead, he left those sweaters uncovered and covered all the rest.

Since I was right there with him, I showed him how to read the cards more carefully and figure out which sweaters to eliminate.

I designed the activity for fluent readers in grades 1-2, but on reflection I think third graders could use it too.

As you can see in the above picture, my Four was thoroughly engaged. She wants to do the activity as well; she’ll just need me to read the clues to her.

I hope your learners enjoy this festive problem solving activity!

P.S. If you like this printable, you need the bundle of 50 mystery problem solving activities !

Get your free problem solving activity!

If you like this activity, you’ll love the bundle.

Mystery problem solving activities

$ 20.00

Build critical thinking skills with 50 engaging mystery problem solving activities! Just print each picture mat and clue cards. Students will read the clues and discovery the mystery character or object.

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Reader Interactions

72 comments.

December 18, 2019 at 5:08 am

This is amazing, I’m gonna use it in class for sure! Thank you!

December 16, 2019 at 6:41 am

Thank you again for another fun game! Thank you for helping my kids have fun while learning. I learn and am inspired by your website. THANK YOU!

Margaret Green

December 15, 2019 at 5:25 pm

i absolutely love this game! I know my kiddos will too!!!! Thank you for making my last week – before winter/Christmas break – fun and easier!!!

Good Tidings to You!

December 15, 2019 at 8:24 pm

I’m so glad this came at the right time, Margaret! 🙂

December 15, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Love the sweaters and you found the PERFECT way to use them! Can’t wait to use this in my centers this week!

Yay – have fun, Carrie!

December 13, 2019 at 9:25 am

I have been following your site for many, many years. My son is a disabled adult. Even though he is not in school anymore; this is exactly the type of activity he needs to keep his brain sharp ( and mine too). Thank you so much!

December 13, 2019 at 5:33 pm

I’m so glad you and he can use this, Janet! :))

December 13, 2019 at 7:49 am

Thank you so much! I know my kiddos will adore this. 🙂

Carolyn McDonough

December 13, 2019 at 7:23 am

Love this! What a fun way work language AND problem solving skills into an activity for my English Learners!!!

December 13, 2019 at 7:05 am

I admire your love for the meaningful creation of resources of teaching English. Thank you very much for the dedication you put in. I should call it passion. You, definitely, have that passion. One idea comes after another, and more it flows out of the need to create as long as you don’t stop. I see that through my teaching experience. It does consume with fatigue, indeed. But, it is the sort of fatigue that requires a moment of breathing, for more awaits behind to come en-suite and shower the spirit with surprising ideas that help so beautifully the learning process. I welcome this sort of fatigue. I look forward to more of your ideas. It is one of my favourite websites when I search for such inspiration.

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Jean! :))

Elaine Cornish

December 13, 2019 at 4:05 am

This game is so successful. I am a retired teacher. I live in South Africa. I teach underprivileged deaf children pro bona. I use so much of your stuff and just love your games and ideas. I would LOVE to subscribe but the Rand dollar exchange is just so terrible. So $10 equates to about R150.00 just too much right now. So please keep your freebies coming for teachers like me. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family and a wonderful new year. I really admire you. Elaine Cornish.

Yes, I hope to keep sharing freebies as often as I can, Elaine! 🙂

December 13, 2019 at 2:39 am

Lovely ! thank you very much!

December 13, 2019 at 12:57 am

This is exactly what my tutoring kids need. I was wondering how to teach how to slove problems for themselves. That is something they need to read and do MANY other things. Thank you for your neat ideas.

December 12, 2019 at 10:05 pm

I have used the “Mystery Snowman” and “Mystery dog” logic games with a 3rd grade “reluctant reader” tutoring student. He will do these over and over as our warm-up…I’m SO thrilled to use this next week AND to know you have a whole set with many more themes! Thank you for being so generous with your freebies.

December 13, 2019 at 5:34 pm

Yay – I’m so glad these are a hit, Lisa!

Catherine Peters

December 12, 2019 at 8:56 pm

We are in the midst of semester testing. This will provide a fun break. Thank you so much!

Jessica Grove

December 12, 2019 at 8:38 pm

So fun! Thank you!

December 12, 2019 at 8:37 pm

love this activity- can’t wait until my kids get to work it out. thank you for all that you do.

February 19, 2019 at 8:56 am

Fabulous! Next year I’m going to read this in my EFL classroom!

Thanks for sharing this lovely activity =)

March 2, 2019 at 5:19 pm

You’re very welcome, Barbara!

January 18, 2019 at 3:06 pm

Do you have “Guess the Mystery …” with other objects? I’d love to use them. Thanks!

January 18, 2019 at 8:57 pm

Hi Pamela! I have a “guess the mystery dog” and “guess the mystery snowman” in the subscriber library. If you’re not a newsletter subscriber yet, you can sign up and grab those. 🙂

January 10, 2019 at 3:36 pm

I would love if you would make more of these available. My students just love doing them. I’m thinking snowmen or valentines would make great puzzles. You offer amazing resources!

January 10, 2019 at 6:17 pm

I’m working on a huge bundle of these, so stay tuned for that! Subscribers will get it for a discount. 🙂

December 21, 2018 at 9:12 pm

I really appreciate all the free resources you are willing to share. This is for sure one of my favorites! Thank you & Merry Christmas!

December 27, 2018 at 8:20 am

Thank you, Marie!

December 19, 2018 at 4:21 pm

Hi Anna, I used this with my English Learners in grades 3-8 today. The grades 3-5 enjoyed it. They are Progressing English Learners and understood most of the vocabulary. It was a good exercise for their brain logic skills. My grade 6-8 English Learners are non-English speakers. It was a challenge for them with vocabulary such as “polka dots, cuffs, patches, and a set of 3.” It was good for them to learn. We used M&M’s as markers for fun and they enjoyed that of course. Thank you for a fun game! Love the graphics.

December 26, 2018 at 12:08 pm

Yay! I’m so glad this was a good fit for your students.

December 19, 2018 at 1:46 pm

My 1st gr class did this activity whole class and loved it!! Great last day before break activity!!

December 27, 2018 at 8:19 am

Yay! I’m so glad this was a good fit for your learners.

December 18, 2018 at 6:26 pm

We LOVE this Christmas problem solving activity and are hoping that you will make some activities like this one!!!!

Keep watching the subscriber library! I have plans to make more soon.

December 18, 2018 at 2:26 pm

Hi Anna, This game is so cute and fun! I’ve used it with a 3rd grader and two learning challenged 4th graders today and they all liked it! The 3rd graders was sad that the Santa sweater (F) was never the one. Maybe you could change the clues on card 9 to end up being Santa?? (I was going to do that with her tomorrow – come up with our own clues to lead finders to F.)

I use lots of your freebies and I really appreciate you sharing them with us.

Merry Christmas!

December 21, 2018 at 6:35 am

I’m going to make adjustments to the activity over the break. 🙂

December 18, 2018 at 9:53 am

My six and five adored this! They were a little confused about number 9, though. They counted the berries as a set of three (sweater B) and therefore crossed off all the sweaters! Great resource for them to practice on these “it’s almost Christmas!” days!

December 18, 2018 at 12:04 pm

Ha, yes, one of my kids caught that, too. We’ve got a houseful of the stomach bug, but when I have some time I’ll change that one.

Susan Farrar

December 17, 2018 at 3:30 pm

Thank you so much! My students love mysteries and logic problems.

December 27, 2018 at 8:22 am

You’re very welcome, Susan!

December 17, 2018 at 12:01 pm

Hi Anna! This is such a cute idea! My kids enjoyed it this morning! Just wanted to let you know about something that threw them off a bit. #9 has a clue about sets of 3, but the answer has 3 berries! I didn’t catch it originally. But just thought I would let you know. ?

December 17, 2018 at 8:52 am

Thank you Anna! Just what I needed for Monday morning.

December 17, 2018 at 8:41 am

Perfect little game to entertain my grandchildren over the holiday break. Thanks!

December 16, 2018 at 10:51 pm

I absolutely love this! Thank you so much.

December 19, 2018 at 7:29 am

You’re welcome, Shannon!

December 16, 2018 at 10:41 pm

Thank you so much for posting this! We played this game today with my 7 year old and 5 year olds. My 7 year old hit all the right answers and well the other 2 just had fun. I love your resources and I feel grateful to have found your website. Merry Christmas and thanks again for spreading your good cheer!!!

You’re very welcome! I hope you find many helpful resources on my site.

December 16, 2018 at 7:46 pm

So clever! Can’t wait to use!

Thank you, Renee!

December 16, 2018 at 5:54 pm

Love this activity and appreciate the wide range of students who will enjoy it as I work with K-5 students. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

December 19, 2018 at 7:25 am

Thank you, Jane!

December 16, 2018 at 4:52 pm

Thank you for sharing this cute activity. Hope you have a good week.

December 19, 2018 at 7:23 am

You’re welcome, Jan!

December 16, 2018 at 4:42 pm

So cute! Thank you! I’ll be using in my 2nd grade on this last week before break.

December 19, 2018 at 7:24 am

You’re welcome, Beth!

December 16, 2018 at 4:17 pm

I love this. Thank you so much. Can’t wait to use it.

I hope you can use them, Pat!

Fran Chodack

December 16, 2018 at 2:49 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your activities and printables. They have a fresh, engaging quality about them. You are the best!

December 19, 2018 at 7:28 am

Thank you for your kind words, Fran!

Claudette GILLES

December 16, 2018 at 1:56 pm

Dear Anna, thank you so much for your wonderful freebies which have become essential in helping me to fulfil my grandmother’s role !

You’re very welcome, Claudette!

December 12, 2019 at 8:51 pm

Will this work to print in black and white or does it need to be in color for the clues to make sense?

Virginia Mayer-Brown

December 16, 2018 at 1:55 pm

This is perfect for this week when the kids I care for after school will not have homework but I want them opportunities to exercise their brains.

I hope it helps, Virginia!

December 16, 2018 at 1:39 pm

I love this Christmas Sweater game!

December 19, 2018 at 7:27 am

I’m so glad, Jo!

Deb Roethle

January 4, 2021 at 8:00 am

I teach Reading to 4K – 4th grade. I teach in a rural school in Neosho, Wisconsin. (HNR School Elementary). I love all the activities that I have used through your site.

Tammy Cantagallo

I so enjoy your creativity and your love of clip art!! ( I am not very computer savvy). The games and resources that you create make my students ( and me of course) look forward to learning. Thank you for all that you do:)

December 15, 2019 at 3:17 am

grazie ! ^_^

[…] and problem solving skills to determine which sweater is the secret sweater. This activity is from The Measured Mom and has a sweater printable as well as the clues kids can use to solve the […]

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14 Best Team Building Problem Solving Group Activities For 2024

The best teams see solutions where others see problems. A great company culture is built around a collaborative spirit and the type of unity it takes to find answers to the big business questions.

So how can you get team members working together?

How can you develop a mentality that will help them overcome obstacles they have yet to encounter?

One of the best ways to improve your teams’ problem solving skills is through team building problem solving activities .

“86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures.” — Bit.AI

These activities can simulate true-to-life scenarios they’ll find themselves in, or the scenarios can call on your employees or coworkers to dig deep and get creative in a more general sense.

The truth is, on a day-to-day basis, you have to prepare for the unexpected. It just happens that team building activities help with that, but are so fun that they don’t have to feel like work ( consider how you don’t even feel like you’re working out when you’re playing your favorite sport or doing an exercise you actually enjoy! )

What are the benefits of group problem-solving activities?

The benefits of group problem-solving activities for team building include:

• Better communication
• Improved collaboration and teamwork
• More flexible thinking
• Faster problem-solving
• Better proactivity and decision making

Without further ado, check out this list of the 14 best team-building problem-solving group activities for 2024!

Page Contents (Click To Jump)

Popular Problem Solving Activities

1. virtual team challenge.

Virtual Team Challenges are popular problem-solving activities that involve a group of people working together to solve an issue. The challenge generally involves members of the team brainstorming, discussing, and creating solutions for a given problem.

Participants work both individually and collaboratively to come up with ideas and strategies that will help them reach their goals.

Why this is a fun problem-solving activity: Participants can interact and communicate with each other in a virtual environment while simultaneously engaging with the problem-solving activities. This makes it an enjoyable experience that allows people to use their creative thinking skills, build team spirit, and gain valuable insights into the issue at hand.

Problem-solving activities such as Virtual Team Challenges offer a great way for teams to come together, collaborate, and develop creative solutions to complex problems.

2. Problem-Solving Templates

Problem-Solving Templates are popular problem-solving activities that involve a group of people working together to solve an issue. The challenge generally involves members of the team utilizing pre-made templates and creating solutions for a given problem with the help of visual aids.

This activity is great for teams that need assistance in getting started on their problem-solving journey.

Why this is a fun problem-solving activity: Problem-Solving Templates offer teams an easy and stress-free way to get the creative juices flowing. The visual aids that come with the templates help team members better understand the issue at hand and easily come up with solutions together.

This activity is great for teams that need assistance in getting started on their problem-solving journey, as it provides an easy and stress-free way to get the creative juices flowing.

Problem Solving Group Activities & Games For Team Building

3. coworker feud, “it’s all fun and games”.

Coworker Feud is a twist on the classic Family Feud game show! This multiple rapid round game keeps the action flowing and the questions going. You can choose from a variety of customizations, including picking the teams yourself, randomized teams, custom themes, and custom rounds.

Best for: Hybrid teams

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Coworker Feud comes with digital game materials, a digital buzzer, an expert host, and a zoom link to get the participants ready for action! Teams compete with each other to correctly answer the survey questions. At the end of the game, the team with the most competitive answers is declared the winner of the Feud.

How to get started:

• Sign up for Coworker Feud
• Break into teams of 4 to 10 people
• Get the competitive juices flowing and let the games begin!

Learn more here: Coworker Feud

4. Crack The Case

“who’s a bad mamma jamma”.

Crack The Case is a classic WhoDoneIt game that forces employees to depend on their collective wit to stop a deadly murderer dead in his tracks! Remote employees and office commuters can join forces to end this crime spree.

Best for: Remote teams

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: The Virtual Clue Murder Mystery is an online problem solving activity that uses a proprietary videoconferencing platform to offer the chance for employees and coworkers to study case files, analyze clues, and race to find the motive, the method, and the individual behind the murder of Neil Davidson.

• Get a custom quote here
• Download the app
• Let the mystery-solving collaboration begin!

Learn more here: Crack The Case

5. Catch Meme If You Can

“can’t touch this”.

Purposefully created to enhance leadership skills and team bonding , Catch Meme If You Can is a hybrid between a scavenger hunt and an escape room . Teammates join together to search for clues, solve riddles, and get out — just in time!

Best for: Small teams

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Catch Meme If You Can is an adventure with a backstory. Each team has to submit their answer to the puzzle in order to continue to the next part of the sequence. May the best team escape!

• The teams will be given instructions and the full storyline
• Teams will be split into a handful of people each
• The moderator will kick off the action!

Learn more here: Catch Meme If You Can

6. Puzzle Games

“just something to puzzle over”.

Puzzle Games is the fresh trivia game to test your employees and blow their minds with puzzles, jokes , and fun facts!

Best for: In-person teams

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Eight mini brain teaser and trivia style games include word puzzles, name that nonsense, name that tune, and much more. Plus, the points each team earns will go towards planting trees in the precious ecosystems and forests of Uganda

• Get a free consultation for your team
• Get a custom designed invitation for your members
• Use the game link
• Dedicated support will help your team enjoy Puzzle Games to the fullest!

Learn more here: Puzzle Games

7. Virtual Code Break

“for virtual teams”.

Virtual Code Break is a virtual team building activity designed for remote participants around the globe. Using a smart video conferencing solution, virtual teams compete against each other to complete challenges, answer trivia questions, and solve brain-busters!

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Virtual Code Break can be played by groups as small as 4 people all the way up to more than 1,000 people at once. However, every team will improve their communication and problem-solving skills as they race against the clock and depend on each other’s strengths to win!

• Reach out for a free consultation to align the needs of your team
• An event facilitator will be assigned to handle all of the set-up and logistics
• They will also provide you with logins and a play-by-play of what to expect
• Sign into the Outback video conferencing platform and join your pre-assigned team
• Lastly, let the games begin!

Learn more here: Virtual Code Break

8. Stranded

“survivor: office edition”.

Stranded is the perfect scenario-based problem solving group activity. The doors of the office are locked and obviously your team can’t just knock them down or break the windows.

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Your team has less than half an hour to choose 10 items around the office that will help them survive. They then rank the items in order of importance. It’s a bit like the classic game of being lost at sea without a lifeboat.

• Get everyone together in the office
• Lock the doors
• Let them start working together to plan their survival

Learn more here: Stranded

9. Letting Go Game

“for conscious healing”.

The Letting Go Game is a game of meditation and mindfulness training for helping teammates thrive under pressure and reduce stress in the process. The tasks of the Letting Go Game boost resiliency, attentiveness, and collaboration.

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Expert-guided activities and awareness exercises encourage team members to think altruistically and demonstrate acts of kindness. Between yoga, face painting, and fun photography, your employees or coworkers will have more than enough to keep them laughing and growing together with this mindfulness activity!

• Reach out for a free consultation
• A guide will then help lead the exercises
• Let the funny videos, pictures, and playing begin!

Learn more here: Letting Go Game

10. Wild Goose Chase

“city time”.

Wild Goose Chase is the creative problem solving activity that will take teams all around your city and bring them together as a group! This scavenger hunt works for teams as small as 10 up to groups of over 5000 people.

Best for: Large teams

Why this is an effective group problem solving activity: As employees and group members are coming back to the office, there are going to be times that they’re itching to get outside. Wild Goose Chase is the perfect excuse to satisfy the desire to go out-of-office every now and then. Plus, having things to look at and see around the city will get employees talking in ways they never have before.

• Download the Outback app to access the Wild Goose Chase
• Take photos and videos from around the city
• The most successful team at completing challenges on time is the champ!

Learn more here: Wild Goose Chase

11. Human Knot

“for a knotty good time”.

The Human Knot is one of the best icebreaker team building activities! In fact, there’s a decent chance you played it in grade school. It’s fun, silly, and best of all — free!

Why this is an effective group problem solving activity: Participants start in a circle and connect hands with two other people in the group to form a human knot. The team then has to work together and focus on clear communication to unravel the human knot by maneuvering their way out of this hands-on conundrum. But there’s a catch — they can’t let go of each other’s hands in this team building exercise.

• Form a circle
• Tell each person to grab a random hand until all hands are holding another
• They can’t hold anyone’s hand who is directly next to them
• Now they have to get to untangling
• If the chain breaks before everyone is untangled, they have to start over again

Learn more here: Human Knot

12. What Would You Do?

“because it’s fun to imagine”.

What Would You Do? Is the hypothetical question game that gets your team talking and brainstorming about what they’d do in a variety of fun, intriguing, and sometimes, whacky scenarios.

Best for: Distributed teams

Why this is an effective group problem solving activity: After employees or coworkers start talking about their What Would You Do? responses, they won’t be able to stop. That’s what makes this such an incredible team building activity . For example, you could ask questions like “If you could live forever, what would you do with your time?” or “If you never had to sleep, what would you do?”

• In addition to hypothetical questions, you could also give teammates some optional answers to get them started
• After that, let them do the talking — then they’ll be laughing and thinking and dreaming, too!

13. Crossing The River

“quite the conundrum”.

Crossing The River is a river-crossing challenge with one correct answer. Your team gets five essential elements — a chicken, a fox, a rowboat, a woman, and a bag of corn. You see, the woman has a bit of a problem, you tell them. She has to get the fox, the bag of corn, and the chicken to the other side of the river as efficiently as possible.

Why this is an effective group problem solving activity: She has a rowboat, but it can only carry her and one other item at a time. She cannot leave the chicken and the fox alone — for obvious reasons. And she can’t leave the chicken with the corn because it will gobble it right up. So the question for your team is how does the woman get all five elements to the other side of the river safely in this fun activity?

• Form teams of 2 to 5 people
• Each team has to solve the imaginary riddle
• Just make sure that each group understands that the rowboat can only carry one animal and one item at a time; the fox and chicken can’t be alone; and the bag of corn and the chicken cannot be left alone
• Give the verbal instructions for getting everything over to the other side

14. End-Hunger Games

“philanthropic fun”.

Does anything bond people quite like acts of kindness and compassion? The End-Hunger Games will get your team to rally around solving the serious problem of hunger.

Best for: Medium-sized teams

Why this is an effective problem solving group activity: Teams join forces to complete challenges based around non-perishable food items in the End-Hunger Games. Groups can range in size from 25 to more than 2000 people, who will all work together to collect food for the local food bank.

• Split into teams and compete to earn boxes and cans of non-perishable food
• Each team attempts to build the most impressive food item construction
• Donate all of the non-perishable foods to a local food bank

Learn more here: End-Hunger Games

People Also Ask These Questions About Team Building Problem Solving Group Activities

Q: what are some problem solving group activities.

• A: Some problem solving group activities can include riddles, egg drop, reverse pyramid, tallest tower, trivia, and other moderator-led activities.

Q: What kind of skills do group problem solving activities & games improve?

• A: Group problem solving activities and games improve collaboration, leadership, and communication skills.

Q: What are problem solving based team building activities & games?

• A: Problem solving based team building activities and games are activities that challenge teams to work together in order to complete them.

Q: What are some fun free problem solving games for groups?

• A: Some fun free problem solving games for groups are kinesthetic puzzles like the human knot game, which you can read more about in this article. You can also use all sorts of random items like whiteboards, straws, building blocks, sticky notes, blindfolds, rubber bands, and legos to invent a game that will get the whole team involved.

Q: How do I choose the most effective problem solving exercise for my team?

• A: The most effective problem solving exercise for your team is one that will challenge them to be their best selves and expand their creative thinking.

Q: How do I know if my group problem solving activity was successful?

• A: In the short-term, you’ll know if your group problem solving activity was successful because your team will bond over it; however, that should also translate to more productivity in the mid to long-term.

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20 Video Games To Play If You Love Solving Mysteries

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7 Video Game Heroes Who Rely On Their Wits

8 mystery games to sleuth to, 6 best isekai anime & manga where the protagonist is a detective.

• The video game mystery genre evolved from early text-based games, offering complex problem-solving experiences.
• Sought-after mystery games often intertwine with different genres such as adventure, action, and horror.
• Crime-solving video games like Disco Elysium and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles offer unique narratives and immersive gameplay.

The mystery, police procedure, or detective genre of video games has an impressive library, and its evolution can be traced to the earliest "walking simulator" games that used only text commands. Players had to explore the area, gather clues, and collect certain important items. Puzzles, mystery solving, and collecting clues were part of the earliest games to exist, right after sports.

15 Twisty Mystery Games On PC

These twisted, nerve-wracking puzzle games are among the best mystery-oriented titles PC gamers should check out.

Many of these kinds of games often use the same concepts of investigating, gathering clues, and the powers of deduction that are similar to the daily activities of a police officer or private investigator. Games that focus on solving mysteries can and often do overlap with other genres including adventure, action, role-playing, and even horror.

Updated April 13, 2024 by Kristy Ambrose: Video games about solving mysteries or crime dramas continue to be popular, so there are a lot of new options to choose from along with vintage titles that have been released or remastered for present-day audiences.

Complex problem-solving can be more rewarding than a big explosion or a dramatic boss fight, and the best mystery games can be role-playing, story-based, or adventure games. This library is so vast that it's easy to find a variety of games for any port or format, and that includes phones, tablets, and consoles, along with conventional desktops.

1 Disco Elysium

Metacritic score: 89.

Disco Elysium

This video game's art style, which mimics a surreal oil painting, is one of the features that sets Disco Elysium apart from other RPGs. It also features an unconventional progression system that includes skill checks and dialogue trees determined by Perception and pain threshold, which experienced RPGers might refer to as Fortitude.

The setting is a city in the aftermath of an apocalypse, and the main character is in the depths of amnesia, so there are a few more mysteries here other than the murder he's trying to solve. Even though he's missing most of his past, every main character still has a set of distinct character traits and a Thought Cabinet, which unlocks more backstory depending on the player's dialogue choices.

2 Her Story

Metacritic score: 86.

An interactive film that's also a video game, and one of the best modern examples of how the genre has evolved from the CD-ROM days. Her Story is independently developed and created by Sam Barlow, who formerly worked at Climax Studios, the same company that made Silent Hill : Origins and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories .

The story is structured around police procedure , using a mix of different kinds of evidence that the protagonist has to examine, sometimes using forensics. The game includes a lot of live-action footage that Barlow created after studying real police interrogation videos.

3 Outer Wilds

Metacritic score: 85.

Outer Wilds

An action-adventure mystery video game that uses deep space as the setting, Outer Wilds is more about exploration and problem-solving than fighting. The premise of the game is that the universe is stuck in a 22-minute time loop that ends in a supernova, which the main character will get caught in several times before they finish the game. Luckily they gain the ability to retain their memories beyond death during the first part of the story.

8 Hidden Secrets Many Still Haven’t Found In Outer Wilds

Although hidden secrets in open-world games are common, these secrets in Outer Wilds haven't been found by "many" players since the game's debut.

The player spends most of the game learning about an ancient race called the Nomai and their ultimate project, planned on a galactic scale, which is the source of the time anomaly. No pressure, but the protagonist has to piece together the clues from various logic puzzles to discover what happened and find a way to save the entire universe.

4 The 7th Guest

Metacritic score: 68.

• Platform(s): macOS, DOS, CD-i, PC, Linux, Mobile
• Released: April 28, 1993
• Developer: Trilobyte
• Genre(s): Puzzle, Adventure

The 7th Guest is a point-and-click mystery video game classic originally from the CD-ROM era that was remastered and re-released as a 25th Anniversary Edition in 2019. It was one of the first "haunted mansion" games, and also one of the first to integrate video graphics into a computer game in a way that contributed to the plot rather than just being silly.

This was also at a time that horror games actually started to emerge as a genre, and The 7th Guest didn't shy away from the sordid or the mysterious. This game looks fun and colorful, and it is, with the graveyard cake puzzles and wacky characters. As the story unfolds into one of the best mystery games ever made, it becomes clear this isn't a game for kids.

5 Paradise Killer

Metacritic score: 81.

Paradise Killer

The more concise summary of this game is that it's a sci-fi adventure with a murder mystery as the focus of the plot. A more detailed description would include that the whole thing is set in a pocket universe called Paradise Island, which has been constructed by aliens to trap and house humans.

It's used to lull them into a false sense of security before sacrificing their souls to construct the next incarnation of the same island. That's a whole lot of lore for a game that's relatively small in comparison, and the detailed narrative of Paradise Killer is what makes it better than average when it comes to mystery-solving games.

A survival horror game that includes solving mysteries, Signalis is designed as a third-person shooter and has a two-dimensional perspective. It was critically acclaimed and players gave it high praise, recognizing that it was inspired by similar resource-collecting and puzzle games like Resident Evil .

The sci-fi setting features a spaceship and a mysterious government known as the Nation of Eusan, at war with an even larger galactic empire. The game features androids called Replikas, which the nation of Eusna uses as soldiers, miners, and other grunt work. A few different endings are possible, depending on the progression of the story, and the Artifact Ending is the secret one that requires the player to collect three hidden keys.

7 The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter

Metacritic score: 82.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

The Vanishing Of Ethan Carte r relies on stunning artwork and a compelling story to draw in aspiring detectives. This is one of the best mystery video games that combines an open-world environment with little guidance for how the mechanics work, and learning is part of the game.

The player follows a mystery through an impressive collection of artistic settings and immersive locations. It's the atmospheric quality of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter that most people cite as what elevates it from other mystery-solving games.

8 Grim Fandango

Metacritic score: 94.

Grim Fandango

An adventure game first and foremost, because this is LucasArts after all, Grim Fandango is also about solving a mystery. On a technical level, this is one of the first times that a 3D-rendered video game looked good, using an unconventional animation style that mixed film noir with calaca-like characters. The main character is a travel agent, but one who dwells in the afterlife and helps transport souls.

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It's hard to ignore the fact that some NPCs will never be fully understood due to their inherently mysterious natures.

Despite the critical acclaim that Grim Fandango received and the fanbase that follows it today, it was a commercial failure in its time. The game was re-released in 2015 with improved graphics, a new orchestral soundtrack, and a director's commentary.

9 Sam And Max Hit The Road

Metacritic score: 91.

• Developer: LucasArts
• Genre: Graphic Adventure
• Platform(s): MS-DOS, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows
• Released: 1993

Sam and Max, also known as the Freelance Police, have a lot of wacky adventures solving crimes and this title is still one of their most popular. The plot is set in motion when a Sasquatch goes missing from a carnival. The intrepid heroes have to use their perception and deduction skills as they visit several popular American tourist attractions looking for clues.

Sam And Max Hit The Road is part of the impressive library that LucasArts amassed when point-and-click adventure games were all the rage. It's distinctive for its humor, clever dialogue, and the best voice talent for games at the time.

10 Pentiment

A narrative adventure that's mostly text, the 2D animation fits the medieval aesthetic perfectly. Pentiment is the best mystery game for players who are interested in solving a mystery along with those who appreciate a unique and beautiful art style, which is used seriously here as opposed to a cartoony joke like in some other games.

The main character is Andreas Maler, a journeyman artist who gets mixed up in the murderous drama of 16th-century Upper Bavaria. Players can build this character's skills and backstory through choices they make in the dialogue. Set in the fictional town of Talsing in the Alps, the timeline of the game spans 25 years, and solving these mysteries becomes a lifetime commitment.

11 The Wolf Among Us

Metacritic score: 80.

The Wolf Among Us

Fans of mystery-based video games who also like comic-book adaptations would probably enjoy The Wolf Among Us . It's intended as a prequel to the Fables comic book series, which was created and written by Bill Willingham and has been running since 2002.

This is a graphic adventure game that mostly works on point-and-click mechanics as the player explores a variety of different settings and environments. The player controls the main character, Bigby Wolf, formerly known as the Big Bad Wolf and now the mayor of Fabletown, who is tasked with solving a series of murders. A sequel to the game is scheduled for launch in 2024.

12 Heavy Rain

Metacritic score: 87.

An interactive drama and adventure mystery video game, Heavy Rain received numerous accolades from both players and critics for the play style, story, and overall design. There are four different protagonists involved and the player gets to control all of them at different points, and any number of choices causes the storyline to branch off into another direction.

The story begins with a tragedy and goes downhill from there. It's dark, visceral, and sometimes bloody, so be advised it's not for the faint of heart. Follow the clues left by a serial killer to save the protagonist's son before it's too late. This is a game where the player's actions do matter , so choose wisely as the dark streets of Philadelphia start to close in.

13 Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

Metacritic score: 73.

• Platform(s): PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• Released: September 30, 2014
• Developer(s): Frogwares
• Genre(s): Adventure

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's depiction of Sherlock Holmes was partly autobiographical. His use of forensics was new for its time, but the modern age has the same fascination with his skill for finding and interpreting clues. Many of the games in this series could also be likely candidates, but this game also includes moral choices that affect the gameplay.

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On a more technical level, this is the first game in Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes series that uses Unreal Engine 3 to create an intense and immersive first-person POV. The written portions are intended to resemble the novels, and each game includes a variety of cases to solve, from murders to thefts to disappearances.

14 L.A. Noire

Noted for some stunning artwork and a realistic storyline , L.A. Noire takes place in Los Angeles in 1947. The protagonist is Detective Cole Phelps, and the story follows his rise through the LAPD. When Phelps takes on a case involving morphine distribution and some of his old World War II buddies, the plot thickens.

Aside from the main plot that is focused on cracking the case, there's a lot to keep the player busy in the form of car chases, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat. Motion-capture technology was used to capture realistic human expressions for the interrogation sequences.

15 Professor Layton And The Curious Village

• Developer: Level-5
• Genre: Puzzle, Adventure
• Platforms: Nintendo DS, mobile, iOS, Android
• Released: February 10, 2008 (North America)

Solving a mystery doesn't always have to be about sordid crimes and dark alleyways. For those looking for something more lighthearted that's also great for the kids, some of the best mystery games can be found in the Professor Layton franchise. It has a familiar format that includes finding clues and solving puzzles.

Best Professor Layton Games, Ranked

Professor Layton is about to make his grand return, and it's the perfect time to revisit some of the best games in the franchise.

There are a total of seven games in this series, and this is the first. Professor Hershel Layton and his apprentice, Luke Triton, are looking for an artifact called the Golden Apple in a quaint but enigmatic little hamlet called St. Mystere. It's not just for fun and profit either because the holder of this special item will inherit the vast fortune of a local monarch.

16 Until Dawn

Metacritic score: 79.

It's the "teenagers lost in the woods" trope that never seems to get old, and although it's primarily a horror game, the main characters in Until Dawn have to hunt for clues regarding the mystery of the dangerous mountain wilderness and stay alive while they do it.

Until Dawn is a narrative and exploration game with little or no combat that relies on scenes and quick time events to progress. The story is intended to mimic the same suspense and terror as a slasher movie, with every decision affecting the future lives of the group, and everyone can live or die depending on what choices are made.

17 What Remains Of Edith Finch

Metacritic score: 88.

What Remains of Edith Finch

The genre is part of a category of adventure games called "narrative-focused walking simulators," and even though the term is new, the concept is not. Myst was a game like this, and What Remains of Edith Finch has also received critical praise for its artwork and story. The setting is a mansion on an island off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and the time frame is the 1930s, so be prepared for a lot of marine and seaside themes . Although it sounds realistic, even dull, the elements of magical realism in the design keep the game immersive and compelling.

The player is the titular character, Edith, a teenager who is the last surviving member of her family. She is visiting her ancestral home for the first time in years and putting together the clues to reveal what happened in the time that she was gone.

18 The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

A wildly successful franchise that gave the whole storybook design some clout, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is two of the games in the franchise neatly collected under one title. The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve and The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures both use the same courtroom drama and investigative structure as they collect clues and cross-examine witnesses to solve the mystery.

Brute force isn't the only way through, and these video game characters who rely on their smarts know that well.

The game takes place in the late Meiji Period of Japan, which lasted from 1868 to 1912, and the clothing, customs, and environment of the game reflect the overall aesthetic. That gives it a "period piece" charm that adds to the game's overall audience appeal.

19 Return Of The Obra Dinn

Return of the Obra Dinn

The year is 1807, and the protagonist is an insurance agent for the East India Company. Their mission is to determine what happened to the passengers and crew of the Obra Dinn, with the aid of a mysterious pocket watch. The ship went missing off the coast of Good Hope, and after no sight or communication for some time, the ship drifted into port with nary a soul aboard.

For the investigative gamer out there, these mystery games are perfect to sleuth in and uncover many secrets that lurk within.

It's not exactly a rollercoaster ride, but for those players who like a story filled with suspense, mystery, and a touch of psychological horror, Return of the Obra Dinn is one of the best mystery games. It's based on investigation, information, and deduction, and Return of the Obra Dinn 's distinctive style has set it apart from other games in the independently-made category.

20 Hotel Dusk: Room 215

Metacritic score: 78.

• Developer(s): Cing
• Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Released: January 22, 2007

It's not a widely-known title because it's only available on one platform, the Nintendo DS , but Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is a highly-rated adventure mystery with design and artwork inspired by the film noir genre. Its success prompted a sequel, Last Window: The Secret of Cape West , which was released in 2010.

Kyle Hyde is the main character of the story, and keeping with the usual stereotype he's a cynical private eye with a five o'clock shadow and a chip on his shoulder. The protagonist has to solve puzzles along with searching for clues to solve, and each chapter of the game ends with an intense interrogation instead of a boss fight.

These isekai anime and manga feature detectives at the helm of their narratives, turning fantasy settings into a backdrop for solving mysteries.

The 10 best mystery games that'll make you feel like a true detective

This collection of the best mystery games and best detective games must be investigated

The best mystery games take you on a true adventure. Whether you're charged with solving a murder or putting a life back together, the best detective games ask you to put on your thinking cap and get to work analyzing the world around you. 

That's what you'll find here. Ten awesome games that'll have you chewing over clues, interrogating witnesses, and using your powers of deduction to help you through a case. Whether you're looking for a game that is narrative-focused or an experience full of puzzles – or maybe something between the both – you'll find something something to pique your interest here. So keep reading to find our ranking of the best mystery games you can play right now. 

10. The Wolf Among Us

Developer: Telltale Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One

Telltale's signature formula of pairing deeply thoughtful stories to consequential decision-making is perfectly suited to the mystery genre, and The Wolf Among Us is ample proof of concept. Here you're tasked with a fairly singular goal: solving a captivating murder case in a fairytale version of New York City, meanwhile keeping fairytale characters and their hidden community a secret from the outside world.

A prequel set in the world of the Fables comics, The Wolf Among might surprise you with its grittiness. This very noir murder mystery kicks off with a decapitated prostitute setting into motion the events of the game. Decision-making and the resulting consequences can be agonizing, as often-times it's nigh impossible to determine the outcomes of your choices. But The Wolf Among us manages to surprise at every turn, making it a worthwhile adventure no matter where your decisions take you.

9. Paradise Killer

Developer: Kaizen Game Works Platform(s): Multi

Paradise Killer is a unique mystery game that's worth your time and attention. You're charged with trying to uncover the culprit behind a murder on Paradise Island, a pocket universe wherein a group of immortal beings – the Syndicate – are trying to create a perfect society. When the entire Syndicate Council is slaughtered, detective Lady Love Dies is brought out of exile to put an end to the carnage. 

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What's great about Paradise Killer is that nearly everyone within the game world has something to hide and could, therefore, be the killer. You can bring any character to trial at any time, but you'll probably want to spend a bit of time properly gathering evidence and following up on any info before dragging somebody in front of a jury. Paradise Killer is a must-play, if you can avoid the temptation to use Google for clues!

8. Heavy Rain

Developer: Quantic Dream Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS3

Heavy Rain is what solidified Quantic Dreams as a pioneer of the narrative-driven, interactive game experience. What would follow from the studio ranges from forgettable (Beyond: Two Souls) to genre-defining (Detroit: Become Human), but the since-remastered Heavy Rain remains a must-play for fans of dramatic storytelling and mystery-solving.

In Heavy Rain, the stakes couldn't be higher for protagonist Ethan Mars, who had just lost a son before having another taken from him by the mysterious "Origami Killer." With a fast-moving clock on his son's life, Ethan is forced to endure exhausting, increasingly horrific "tests" to prove his fatherly determination. Heavy Rain feels very real - one of my playthroughs resulted in an ending about as wretched as I've seen in a game. Needless to say, I've played through Heavy Rain more than a few times, and you likely will too.

7. L.A. Noire

Developer: Team Bondi Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

When you think of mysteries and detective stories specifically, there's almost no better setting than L.A. Noire 's sepia-toned 1940s Los Angeles. A technical marvel for its time (2011), L.A. Noire still looks good today, but more importantly, it's also just as engrossing to investigate murders and climb the ranks of the L.A.P.D. Groundbreaking facial animations considered, L.A. Noire's greatest achievement is making you truly feel like an up-jumped cop in a moody film noir. 

The 2017 remaster on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch features updated textures and a few convenience updates that make L.A. Noire an essential crime-drama mystery for aspiring detectives. Though, it's best to forget the precedent set by Rockstar's mainstay series, Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. While it's technically an open-world game, L.A. Noire tells a laser-focused story without a lot of room for distraction. And believe me, that's a good thing, because you'll be too absorbed in rooting out the scum of L.A.'s underbelly to care about anything else.

6. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

Developer: Frogwares Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One

How could a list of the best mystery games exist without the man himself, the prolific Dr. Sherlock Holmes? Though, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments earns its spot on this list without relying on the famous name of its titular detective. Like the best detective games, this one will have you second-guessing yourself, as well as everyone you interrogate, as you work through the complex moral bargaining at its center.

Exploring the detailed environments, picking out clues, and piecing together conclusions is surgical in a way you might expect from a Sherlock Holmes game, but Crimes and Punishments adds a challenging ethical question to your choices that elevates it beyond its piers. This is Sherlock Holmes with a conscious, and Crimes and Punishments is a detective game that more than lives up to its legend.

5. Her Story

Developer: Sam Barlow Platform(s): PC, iOS, Android

Her Story is an interactive movie. There is no "gameplay" in the traditional sense, and even the visuals are live-action shots of actual actors through an actual camera. Now that that's out of the way, the reason Her Story qualifies as a game is that it's up to you to sort through various clues and decipher their meaning.

Clues exist in the form of archived clips from a police interview with a woman whose husband has gone missing and is later found murdered. The character and her relationship with her husband are fascinating to learn about, each new revelation a source of multiple new theories about whether Hannah Smith is culpable for her husband's murder.

4. What Remains of Edith Finch

Developer: Giant Sparrow Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

For a stylish, lighthearted mystery or distraction, look elsewhere. But if you're in a mood to reflect, empathize, and become entirely absorbed in a touching, often heart-wrenching dive into loss and mortality, don't sleep on What Remains of Edith Finch. Giant Sparrow unleashed a mystery game that skirts so close to being a masterpiece, which is certainly one of the best games of the last generation . 

The story of a possible curse that leaves only one family member of each generation alive, is exactly that; a story. Some very light puzzling is all that hinders your pursuit of the mystery behind your relatives' deaths, and it'll only take a couple of hours for you to learn the truth of What Remains of Edith Finch. Like it or not, it'll probably take far longer for you escape its emotional grip.

3. Outer Wilds

Developer: Mobius Digital Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One

While most mystery games are content with identifying the culprit in a small town crime, Outer Wilds seeks to solve mysteries on a much larger scale: the universe, or at least the solar system you're tasked with exploring and the infinite time loop in which it lives.

On its surface, Outer Wilds is a space exploration game about looking for clues and solving mysterious phenomena on diverse planets, but just beneath the crust lies an experience unlike anything I've ever played. Learning more about the extinct, intelligent species called Nomai compels your adventure, but the ways in which you uncover their secrets is what makes Outer Wilds so special, and I'd never forgive myself for spoiling anything.

2. Disco Elysium

Developer: ZA/UM Platform(s): Multi

If its numerous accolades, not to mention three BAFTAs, aren't enough to convince you to try out Disco Elysium, hopefully this humble little list of best mystery games will. A murder mystery and black comedy, the story kicks off with the player-character blurrily waking from a drunken stupor, only to be told he's in charge of investigating a grizzly murder. 

From an isometric perspective, you'll guide your detective through his booze-induced amnesia and toward the answer to the game's mystery by leveling up and upgrading his deductive skills and navigating different personality traits that develop based on character choice. It's an immensely complex, innovative ride that never fails to elicit both laughs and suspense.

1. Return of the Obra Dinn

Developer: 3909 LLC Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Return of the Obra Dinn's story of a ship that returns to port five years after having gone missing, now a mass grave for its occupants, is enthralling throughout its fairly brief run-time. Your job as an insurance adjuster is to figure out what happened to the ship's crew and passengers, who all died mysteriously or went missing en route.

The distinct monochromatic art style and wistful score offer the perfect setting to wrack your brain for clues to the Obra Dinn's ill-fated voyage, and you'll want to use every tool in your cerebral shed to find whodunnit. Return of the Obra Dinn never holds your hand, which only makes piecing together its many secrets that much more rewarding. It's undoubtedly one of the best mystery and detective games ever made, but you can really only play through it once – so do yourself a favor and go in blind, as it'll greatly enhance the experience. 

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

• Josh West Editor-in-Chief, GamesRadar+

Cozy Caravan is Animal Crossing meets Cooking Mama with the sweetest character creation options

Life is Strange: Double Exposure "will respect both endings" of the first game as the devs seek to "honor the biggest and most impactful decision" you made

Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3 was originally "more sassy" and had to be "heavily dialed down" after one of the devs said "I really don't like" the character

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