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Detective and spy party ideas, from the team that brings the case

Planning a detective or spy birthday? Here's a plan that works with a room full of four-to-twelve-year-olds: a scene to set, a few clue games, a code to crack, snacks named like evidence and a simple timeline.

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A detective host and a young volunteer studying a case file with magnifying glasses
Exhibit A: the case file

Set the scene

  • Case-file invitations (a manila envelope stamped "Top secret")
  • Code names at the door (a badge for every agent)
  • A magnifier photo spot (a cardboard frame shaped like a magnifying glass)
  • A case board (a corkboard, yarn and a few "suspect" drawings)

Clue games

  • A footprint trail of paper prints from room to room
  • A hidden-object hunt with magnifying glasses
  • "Who took the cake?" suspect cards
  • Secret messages in white crayon, revealed with watercolor paint

A code to crack

  • A number code (A = 1, B = 2) for younger agents
  • A letter-shift code (every letter moves one forward) for ages 8 and up
  • One code per team, and the answer opens the next clue
Case 01 · Birthdays
$375

Junior Detective Party

45 min · up to 20 kids · ages 4-12 · 1 detective host

  • The birthday child is lead detective
  • Every kid gets an agent role and a code to crack
  • One case, one big reveal

Extra kids +$10 each, up to 30

Book a party

Every booking includes setup, the case and pack-up. A travel fee may apply, and your city's team confirms it before anything is booked.

Spy party ideas by age

  • Ages 4 to 6: picture clues and a footprint trail
  • Ages 7 to 9 (8 year olds included): number codes and suspect cards
  • Ages 10 to 12 (10 year olds included): letter-shift codes and a case to solve against the clock

Evidence snacks

  • Fingerprint cookies (thumbprint jam cookies)
  • Magnifying-glass lollipops
  • Case-file sandwiches, served in envelopes
  • Mystery punch with a clue on the label

How many guests?

Up to 20 kids: the Junior Detective Party, $375.

A bigger party, cousins and neighbors included: the Mystery Lab Show, up to 100 guests, $475.

A simple party timeline

  1. Arrivals and code names (15 min)
  2. Mystery Lab party (45 min)
  3. Cake and presents (20 min)
  4. Goodbyes, case closed.

Want a detective host to run the whole case?

Not a birthday? Try our free family game night mystery.