How to Host a Family Friendly Murder Mystery Game
A family friendly murder mystery game gives kids, teens and grown-ups the same job: work out who did it. The ones that work best for mixed ages swap the murder for a lighter crime, keep every clue fair, and give each guest a character to play. Here is a step-by-step plan for hosting one at home, from the first invitation to the big reveal.
Your planning timeline
- Two to three weeks before: pick a date and make a rough guest list. The Cookie Contest Caper plays with 6 to 12 people: 6 characters are always played, and you can add any of 6 extras, so a late yes or no is easy to handle.
- About two weeks before: download the PDF and print the invitations. They're filled in by hand, so add your date, time and place before you send them.
- About a week before: choose who plays which character. Give the chattier parts to confident players, and pair younger kids with an adult so nobody feels stuck.
- A few days before: hand out the character cards. Each one has a read-aloud intro, a secret, an alibi, a costume idea and a playing tip, so guests can get into the role early.
- The day before: print and cut the clue cards, name tags, suspect notebooks and accusation sheets. Put the host-only solution in an envelope and keep it with you.
Setting up the room
- Print at Actual size / 100%. Cardstock works well for the cards, and the gray cut lines show you where to trim.
- Pick one table or room where everyone can see and hear each other. Put the clue cards face down, sorted by round.
- Set out pencils, the name tags and a notebook for every player.
- Lean into the theme with a plate of cookies. Just make sure yours were made with sugar.
How to run the night
- Welcome and name tags. Greet each guest in character and hand over their name tag.
- Open the case. Read the opening script from the host guide so everyone knows what happened at the contest.
- Introductions. Each player reads their character's intro aloud. Younger players can read with their adult partner.
- Three rounds of clues. Reveal each round's clue cards, then let everyone question the suspects and write notes in their suspect notebook.
- Accusations. Each player fills in an accusation sheet before anything is revealed.
- The reveal. Read the solution reveal script from the host guide and see who cracked it.
- Awards. Hand out the vote slips for best costume, best performance and best detective.
The party flow in the host guide runs about 75 to 90 minutes, which is a comfortable length for younger guests.
Tips for mixed-age groups
- Let the youngest detectives ask first in each questioning round, before the grown-ups take over.
- Read clues aloud as well as passing them around, so new readers don't fall behind.
- Use a timer for each round. It keeps the energy up and stops one debate from taking over.
- Keep costumes easy. An apron, a scarf or a hat from the closet is plenty.
- Celebrate good thinking, not just the right answer. The best detective vote helps with that.
Hosting for coworkers instead? The office Christmas mystery game page covers a work-party mystery that is also murder-free.
Quick answers
What makes a murder mystery game family friendly?
A lighter crime, fair clues and nothing scary. In The Great Cookie Contest Caper, no one is murdered: the crime is cookie sabotage, nobody gets hurt and there's no gore.
Who is it for?
Families, teens and grown-ups together. 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 the game take?
The party flow in the host guide runs about 75 to 90 minutes.
Can I edit the invitations?
No. The PDF isn't editable, so fill in the invitations by hand. It comes in US Letter and A4.
Ready to host?
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