Kid parties can easily be overdone. Most are carbon copies of other parties. If your child is up for a more original party, try basing one on a classic board game... Clue. A murder mystery party based on Clue offers fun and excitement for the kids. It also offers a less expensive party for the parents. Follow these easy steps for a great kid party.
Invitations:
Buy inexpensive “wedding” invitations. Most craft and big box stores sell these basic invitations for about $9 for a package of 10. They can be used in most printers, or you can hand write them. Here’s an example of what to write: Mr. Boddy requests your presence at the birthday of ___________. Please arrive at the Boddy Mansion at ________ on ____________. Proper character attire is suggested. Include the address and phone number in the RSVP. At the bottom of the invitation draw, print, or cut out an outline of a magnifying glass. Inside the magnifying glass place a finger print. I used a bright blue ink pad and my daughter’s finger.
Costumes:
Costumes can be done 2 different ways. You can go all out and dress as close to the actual characters of the Clue game. For example: If you are Mrs. Scarlet, wear a fancy red dress, feather boa, and evening gloves. The cheaper way, and this is better for kids, wear T-shirts the color of your character. For example, Col. Mustard would be yellow.
Decorations:
We kept the decorations simple. The idea is that the party is held at a mansion, so the decorations should be kept to a minimum. I did place yellow caution tape on the front door. I also placed it on doors we didn’t want opened. I used a gold tablecloth, plates, and napkins. I placed real examples of the weapons around the house and yard, with the exception of the knife and gun. I used a water gun. These will become part of the game later, as well as decoration.
Food:
I chose to go old school for this party. It was held from 2-4 pm. That gave me the excuse of not providing real food. I served several kinds of chips and dip, cake, ice cream, and several types of drinks. The cake was the centerpiece. I used a large sheet cake pan, one that holds 2 cake mixes. My daughter chose red velvet cake. It was crumb coated with white butter cream. Then I drew the outline of the Clue game board using a toothpick. I chose 5 colors to use on the cake. I used tip 18 to pipe small stars inside the boundaries of each room. Then I wrote the name of the rooms. In the center I wrote the birthday girls name. For the spaces between the rooms I placed M&Ms.; When the cake was finished I placed the actual game pieces on the M&Ms.; I did not use the weapons, just the people.
Game:
There are a lot of mystery games on the web. Most are way too involved and complicated. I opted for a Clue scavenger hunt. Each child was given an envelop. Inside the envelope was a pencil, a map of the yard and house, the scavenger clues, and a suspect list from the game. The object of the game is to solve the clues. Once solved the kids could search for envelopes which contained 2 suspect, room, or weapon cards. Some of the envelopes were taped to the weapons. The clues will tell them either an object to look for or a room to search. Once they have found all the clues, and are ready to make an accusation, line the kids up in order of who finished first. When they are all assembled reveal the correct answer, from a sealed envelope. I had 2 small rewards for the first two who had the correct accusations. The rewards were card games. The game was simple, but the kids really enjoyed it. My scavenger hunt is at the end of this article.
Goody bags:
I kept the bags related to the Clue theme. I bought packages of magnifying glasses from Michael’s for around $5. There were 3 or 4 magnifying glasses per package. I also included a small notepad for clues, a pencil, “eye” glasses, a little candy, a gummy eyeball (I couldn’t resist), and tiny Uno cards.
The party was a huge success. It was also the cheapest party I have ever thrown. The kids really enjoyed the game, even the 13 year old boys. The goody bags were also a big hit. If your child loves the board game Clue, throw a clue party. Break out of the character party zone and into a classic game.
Clue Scavenger Hunt
All answers will have something to do with the game Clue.
1. Yellow, sharp, and grainy. ( Mustard)
2. Small, round, and red. I grow on a tree. (plum)
3. In the kitchen you will find me. (Apron = Mrs. White)
4. I’m a person and a color. If you can’t find me, your hopes of winning this game will be Gone with the Wind. (Scarlet)
5. This color surrounds you. It’s the color of money and envy. (green)
6. In this room Beauty and the Beast danced for hours. (Ballroom)
7. I’m a long narrow room that you must follow like a path. If you want to reach your destination. (Hall)
8. Here families sit around and talk for hours, chewing the news of the day. (Dining Room)
9. I can easily be mistaken for a snake. But I can not hiss or slither. (rope)
The correct solution is Mrs. Peacock with the lead pipe in the study. The solution can be changed based on what cards you put in the solutions envelope.
