Clue Mystery Game

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

The Youth department hosted a clue-based scavenger hunt/murder mystery game that was easily customized to our facilities.

There are many cute ideas on the internet for preschool activities, but as kids get older, especially middle school, it becomes increasingly more difficult to think of interesting activities that appeal to them. This event attracted an elusive demographic and helped them interact in a mature manner, without the use of technology or electronics. It also promoted social interactions with friends to work towards a common goal, while the playable cards set up a structure for contact between groups for friendly competition.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

This activity is free and easy to create, simple to implement, expandable to groups of all sizes, and customizable to any facility. Participants were separated into teams and then set loose to find clue cards that had been hidden around the clubhouse. Just as in the board game, there were Room cards (adapted to our facility and playing field), Suspect cards, and Weapon cards; as well as additional playable cards. After all the cards were found, the teams had to use the playable cards to try to figure out the other teams’ cards and determine who the murderer is, where it happened, and with which weapon to solve the mystery.

The event was so successful the teams wanted to continue playing past the event ending time. One youth loved the idea so much, she scheduled her birthday party with us a few weeks later to play the game with her friends.