Family Friendly Mystery Party Printable: Who Ruined the Christmas Cookies?

At the neighborhood Christmas cookie contest, someone swapped the sugar for salt and every cookie tastes terrible. One of your guests is the saboteur. The Great Cookie Contest Caper is a printable mystery party for 6 to 12 players: hand out the characters, reveal the clues in three rounds, question the suspects and vote on who did it.

No one is murdered: the crime is cookie sabotage. It's a light, funny, family-friendly mystery: nobody gets hurt, there's no gore and nothing scary.

Get The Great Cookie Contest Caper on Etsy

Free sample clue (Round 1, "The Empty Sugar Bag"): “An empty sugar bag was stuffed into the bin behind the stage. Whoever swapped the jars poured the sugar out first, so they planned ahead.”
This one sets the scene. Other clues rule suspects out until only one fits.

What's in the game

12 original character cards, each with a read-aloud intro, a secret, an alibi, a costume idea and a playing tip.
12 clue cards in 3 rounds.
Host guide with a setup checklist, a party flow for about 75 to 90 minutes and an opening script to read aloud.
Suspect notebook and detective notes for every player, invitations to fill in by hand, accusation sheets, vote slips for best costume, best performance and best detective, and 12 name tags.
Host-only solution reveal script and answer key.
22-page printable PDF in US Letter and A4, with gray cut lines on every piece. Instant download; nothing is shipped.

Who it's for

Great for Christmas parties, family gatherings, teens and game nights. Best for ages 10 and up; younger kids can team up with an adult. It works for 6 to 12 players: 6 characters are always played, plus any of 6 extras.

How to play: quick answers

Is it really family friendly?

Yes. No one is murdered: the crime is cookie sabotage. Nobody gets hurt, there's no gore and nothing scary. It's best for ages 10 and up, and younger kids can team up with an adult.

How many players do you need?

6 to 12 players. 6 characters are always played, and you can add any of 6 extras to fit your group.

How long does it take?

The party flow in the host guide runs about 75 to 90 minutes.

How do I get ready?

Download the PDFs from your Etsy Purchases page, print at Actual size / 100% at home or at a print shop (cardstock works well for the cards), send the invitations and hand out the characters. On the night, follow the host guide.

Planning the party?

How to host a family friendly murder mystery game

Get the full game

Get The Great Cookie Contest Caper on Etsy