Detective game

FREE Mini Murder

mystery

©© Think
Think Tank
Tank
 Overview
We created a “mini” murder mystery so you can see the quality of our work, delve into some new
pu zzle solving skills, and gauge the di fficulty of the codes as well.

If you LOVE this (like we think you will) you can try a full Murder Mystery, Escape Room or Treasure
Hunt and use some of the same pu zzle solving skills!

Why do we call this one a “mini”? Well, because this one is only about one third of an actual
murder mystery. It’s a quick solve game to peak your child’s interest. To make sure they enjoy
solving pu zzles. To show you the 6 types of pu zzles we commonly use in our games. It’s like a
“tester” or “free sample” at the mall ☺ The full version offers SO much more: l onger pu zzles, more
pu zzles, more “suspects,” more “cri me scenes,” and LOTS of party prop signs.

Wow your crowd with a MINI CSI Murder Mystery – Spy Party Game for kids (and adults too)! The
printable pu zzle detective game is a winning combination of codes, ci phers, scavenger hunts,
escape rooms, and cl ues! Transform your house into an un forgettable mystery spy party & code-
breaking adventure for kids! This printable escape room style game is a great way to entertain the
kids, host a birthday party, or host a fun party game for any occasion. Secret a gents can decode
codes and ci phers al one or with a large group with this F-U-N cri me scene investigation.
And don’t worry---there’s no murder involved! Really, it should be called a CSI Mystery (without)
Murder.
Looking for a unique way to entertain the kids or teena gers? Need a party printable to boost the
mood? Thinking of a kid friendly detective mystery game for family game night? Seeking a fun
murder mystery for the kids to do on a rainy day? Looking for escape room style pu zzles? Maybe
you’re hosting a sleepover and are l ooking for last-minute plans…I’ve got you covered!

A “Top Secret Case File” is read and your “lead detectives” have less than 30 minutes to solve the
case. Kids will seek out pu zzle cl ues and decode the answers to eli minate suspects. The best
part…it’s print and go! The only thing you have to do is hide the pu zzles! The harder the pu zzle
cl ues are to find, the more fun the kids have!!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE INSTANT DOWNLOAD? PERFECT FOR:

🔎 PDF game guide (8.5 x 11) ☑️ Birthdays
🔎 6 pu zzles cl ues ☑️ Rainy day activities
🔎 Case file dossier (recording sheet) ☑️ Holiday parties
🔎 Set up instructions ☑️ Getting “off-screen” ti me
🔎 Frequently asked questions ☑️ Sleepovers
🔎 Coupon code for future purchases ☑️ Family games
🔎 Hint cards ☑️ Dinner party

🧩 Gameplay: 20+ minutes (depending on a ge and group numbers)

🧩 Ages: 8+ (younger kids can play with the help of an adult or older kid)
🧩 Number of players: As many as you want!

© Think Tank
 directions
You will need to print PAGES 5-6 for EVERY person playing the
game. These are the sheets where they can jot down notes,
decode puzzles, and cross off suspects.

Print PAGES 7-12 and HIDE them or HANG them around the
house. Remember, the harder they are to find…the more fun
your detectives will have!
Preview the puzzles and answers just in case you need to
offer help or guidance. The kids MIGHT struggle the first ti me
they see the puzzles…that’s OK! Let them think it out for a bit
before you help them. Some of the puzzles are more
challenging than others (and they’re meant to be).

Once every clue has been hidden, read the “Case File” out loud
on (PAGE 5). Next, let the fun begin! Set a ti mer for 30 minutes
and see who can crack the case in the allotted ti me. Make sure
the kids know that they can complete the puzzles in ANY order.
Take some pictures of your mini detectives! We would LOVE it
i f you would share your pics, tag or like THINK TANK ESCAPE
ROOMS on Facebook!

MAC USERS and PRINTING ISSUES

Make sure you downl oad the file to your computer FIRST, then print.
Someti mes your computer opens the PDF in the default web browser
(which makes black boxes appear around i ma ges when you print). It
happens when trying to print from the preview URL when it opens in a
new tab. Make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat
Reader (FREE) – rather than a preview application on Macs or a web
browser. Grab Adobe here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
© Think Tank
 F.A.Q.
How l ong does this acti vity take to complete?
It really depends on a lot of things. Esti mated completion ti me is 20+ minutes but it’s based
on the kids’ puzzle skills, how hard the puzzle is to find, and age. Younger kids may need help with
decoding the puzzles. We recommend ages 8+.

How many kids can play at once?

Kids can play individually, with friends, or in large groups. There really is no li mit to the
number of players.

What i f the kids get stuck on one of the pu zzles?

First off, let them think for a bit! This is where critical thinking skills come in. There are 6
types of puzzles. If they get stuck, hint cards have been included to guide them and provide
examples. This is meant to be a challenge!

Where do kids start?

Kids can complete the puzzles in ANY order! They may also begin in any location of your
house. You will start by reading the “Case File” and going over the directions.

How do kids know i f their answers are correct?

There is an answer key provided in the PDF. Also, any scratch paper can be used i f they need
more room to decode the answers.

How do I set up the detective g ame?

To set up the murder mystery escape room, you si mply need to print and play! It’s that easy!
Everything you need is included in your download. You don’t need any locks, envelopes, or special
equi pment. To extend the game experience, you can hide the puzzle cards around the house or room
like a scavenger hunt. Fun hiding spots: under the coffee table, behind a door, hanging on shower wall,
in a dresser, etc. The harder they are to find, the more fun the kids have! If you prefer to just spread
the clues out on the kitchen table, that works too!

Do I need l ocks, envel opes, or special equi pment?

NOT AT ALL! This was created to make your li fe easier! Per fect for last-minute party planners!
There are no fancy envelopes to stu ff or odd shapes to cut out. All you will need to do is to print
these documents, hide them, and begin!

How are Think Tank Murder Mysteries di fferent than others?

First of all, ours are kid friendly and we never use ‘murder’ as the cri me. Secondly, our
escape rooms + scavenger hunts detective games are unlike any others! What sets us apart is the
element of PUZZLE decoding! Other products si mply give clues, there’s no “solving” or “decoding”. We
think our pu zzles add an extra layer of fun for all! It also ensures the game lasts a little longer, so
you feel con fident in your purchase.

Do I have to print out the g ame materials for every single kid?
Nope, not at all! Unlike other games, ours is the ONLY ONE where you ONLY have to print out
the TWO answer sheets for each kid or group. Just one set of the Game Puzzles is all you need!
© Think Tank
 Detective notes
At 0800, police were called to the Sandusky Mansion, where Ginnie
Sandusky has reported her diamond earring MISSING! The window was
shattered, with pieces of broken glass on the floor, and a baseball bat
sitting j ust underneath it. The furniture was turned upside down and pillow
cushions were thrown on the floor. The bat and window were dusted for
fingerprints. Police have blocked off the area, but the thief could be
anywhere by now! It appears that some evidence may have been left at
the scene. You are a lead detective on the case. It’s your job to determine:
1. Who broke into the mansion and stole the earrings?
2. Where is the suspect hiding out?
3. What evidence left at the scene ties the suspect
to the cri me?

Use the area below to decode your puzzle answers.

Clue 1 Clue 4

Clue 2 Clue 5

Clue 3 Clue 6

© Think Tank
 Name:

Case file
Cross off the i mages you use as an answer. What remains will solve the case!

STACY
MIKE
suspects

SAL
JIM

DEBBIE
INGA
NINA

IVAN

lo c at io n
B4
evidence

© Think Tank
 A= A I= I Q= Q Y= Y
B= B J= J R= R Z= Z
Cryptogram

C= C K= K S= S
D= D L= L T= T
E= E M= M U=
F= F N= N V= V
G= G O= O W= W
H= H P= P X= X

Clue #1
The suspect…

WAS NOT
MALE
© Think Tank
 Clue #2
Evidence left behind was not…
Morse code

© Think Tank
Cipher

Clue #3
The suspect is not hiding in a location…

© Think Tank
 Clue #4
Evidence did not include something…

W,O,R,N
A,R,O,U,N,D
T,H,E N,E,C,K
ONLY use the letter buttons. The other
buttons that do not incl ude a single
alphabet letter do not count.
Qwerty

Example: 3 - 7 = M
Example: 1 - 4 = R
© Think Tank
Text Message

Clue #5
The suspect was…

W-E-A-R-I-N-G
G-L-A-S-S-E-S
© Think Tank
At b a s h

Atbash
Wheel

t
g

Clue #6
The l ocation does not have…

A DOG
OUTSIDE
© Think Tank
 Text Message Cryptogram
Use the Text DECODER to determine what Use the Cryptogram DECODER to solve the clue.
letter each number pattern represents. Your job is to determine which letter each picture
represents. Each symbol or i mage represents a
Back in the day, you would have to press letter from A through Z.
the number multi ple ti mes to find a letter
to send a text messa ge.
Morse Code
If you wanted the letter “R”, you would
Use the Morse Code DECODER to determine what
press the 7 three ti mes because “R” is the letter each dot and dash series represent.
third letter listed under the number 7 on
the keypad. Examples: 555=L 22=B 6=M

qwerty cipher
To solve the code, use the Qwerty DECODER Use the Ci pher DECODER to find the SHAPE that
Hint Cards

and determine which letter each number relates to your answer and determine the letter
it represents. Example: L would be the letter L
combination represents.
and D would be the letter D. This is the hardest
Only use buttons on the keyboard with a puzzle, stay focused!
single alphabet letter. Do not count the
other buttons. At bas h
Example: 3-5 = B Use the Atbash Wheel to determine what lower

© Think Tank
(The letter B can be found on row 3 of case letter is represented by a capital letter. Hint:
letters, 5th letter over) An atbash puzzle is the alphabet backwards.
 Answer Sheet
At 0800, police were called to the Sandusky Mansion, where Ginnie
Sandusky has reported her diamond earring MISSING! The window was
shattered, with pieces of broken glass on the floor, and a baseball bat
sitting j ust underneath it. The furniture was turned upside down and pillow
cushions were thrown on the floor. The bat and window were dusted for
fingerprints. Police have blocked off the area, but the thief could be
anywhere by now! It appears that some evidence may have been left at
the scene. You are a lead detective on the case. It’s your job to determine:
1. Who broke into the mansion and stole the earrings?
2. Where is the suspect hiding out?
3. What evidence left at the scene ties the suspect
to the cri me?

Use the area below to decode your puzzle answers.

Clue 1 Clue 4

The suspect was not male Evidence did not include

something worn around the neck

Clue 2 Clue 5

Evidence left behind was not food The suspect was wearing glasses
or drink

Clue 3 Clue 6

The suspect is not hiding in a The l ocation does not have a dog
location with emergency vehicles outside

© Think Tank
 Name:

Case file
Cross off the i mages you use as an answer. What remains will solve the case!

STACY
MIKE
suspects

SAL
JIM

DEBBIE
INGA
NINA

IVAN

lo c at io n
B4
evidence

© Think Tank
 ready to try a full-length
Party Puzzle game for kids?
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Your very first

Purchase is 25% off!

Use code: Puzzle25

Visit us at:

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© Think Tank
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