The Detective Birthday Party   This a Search and Riddle party for kids 8 to 10 years old. An age-appropriate take on a Murder Mystery Party, it's actually two games: the first a "Who Am I?" game and the second, longer game a riddle-ridden form of a Treasure Hunt where they puzzle out and search for hidden clues that bring the "ghost" back to life before the end of the party.  Before I give you the full-blown description of the actual detective games, here are the    This Detective Party is very easy and quick to put together, and you'll be laughing right along with them as they race around trying to solve the mystery.    Game #1 "Who Am I?" This game starts by pasting labels on the backs of the guests (just use paper and pin/tape them on if you don't have time to get the labels). The guests obviously can't see their own labels but can see others. Choose from a suggested list of TV and movie characters- or choose your own "set" of characters like teachers or Rock Stars. They then ask each other yes/no questions and try to figure out who they are. This takes about 15-20 minutes. 5 different label formats to choose from. Optional Scary Interlude  If you wish to lengthen your party, a candlelight reading of Poe's The Tell Tale Heart or similar story of your choosing really gets them in the right frame of mind for the second and major portion of your party. Game #2 The Hunt The second game begins with the reading of a short letter from an undisclosed source advising the guests that one of them is a ghost, that the murderer is one of the party guests, and that they must figure out who has been killed, by whom, and how. The letter ends by sending them off to find clues. The ôcluesö are envelopes, one addressed to each child, written in doggerel poetry, containing riddles directing them to next clue. For example To figure this out, it's sad but true, you must now go find something blue. The next clue is then hidden in/on/under/around something blue in your house. There are a few clues/props pertinent to the mystery, but the real fun for the kids is figuring out the next location and racing to get there. detective party, mystery party, kids mystery party, childrens mystery party, murder mystery party, murder mystery party games, treasure hunt party games The very last clue is a fingerprint, and then they all go take each others fingerprints and try to match them to the clue. (Create your own "ink pad" with heavy pencil on paper to roll their fingers in if you're short on shopping time). I used my own pinkie and made the birthday child the ghost to avoid anyone getting upset by being killed or being a murderer. The kids are still talking about when I killed my own child! And they had a wonderful time! This game takes about an hour, depending somewhat on the number of guests . You will need to supply (a) stamp pads (or make your own as above) and paper for the fingerprinting, (b) a couple of toy magnifying glasses for identifying the fingerprints are helpful, but they are optional, and (c) a box of Baby Wipes or wet paper towels for the inky fingers is a must.