Scavenger Hunt - Operation Catch Me If You Can. A house party game designed for kids aged 7 to 12.

It's part mystery - part hunt and all fun. The kids will be called upon to find a thief and a stolen object by putting together and/or searching for clues.

This scavenger hunt game is designed with a house full of kids in mind. Your group will be divided into teams of up to 6 kids each. The premise is simple: the kids are attending a party of some sort. Once they have arrived and settled in they will be given 2 projects to complete (one is arts and crafts based; the other is a performance). After they finish these projects, things will take a surprising turn and they will be called upon to solve a mystery by putting together and/or finding clues that will lead them to a thief and a stolen item. We have added in a photo challenge using disposable cameras so the kids can capture the fun they're having.

AGE RANGE: Ages 7 to 12

LENGTH OF GAME: About 2 hours

NUMBER OF TEAMS/PLAYERS: Unlimited. We recommend no more than 8 kids per team.

PRE-HUNT PREP TIME: About 4 hours. You mostly need to print, read and make some simple adaptations to the game*, plant a few clues and shop for prizes, disposable cameras and some arts and craft supplies. *The surprise ending will be that one of the kids attending the party is the thief. (You or one of your helpers can also be the thief.) We provide what we call a "culprit quiz" so you can easily design up to 4 clues leading to whodunit.

NOTE: You will need an adult or teen to play the role of "doorkeeper" - they will greet the kids and be the person in charge. This doorkeeper (yes, you can even take on this role) will need to read instructions and guide the kids through the game. You can also add optional Alien Detection Agents (2 or more) - see Part 2 below.

There are 5 parts to this game:

Part 1: Showing Off. This is where the teams will show off their arts and crafts skills and how entertaining they can be as a team. These 2 projects will take approximately 45 minutes.

Part 2: To Catch A Thief! The party will be raided by Alien Detection Agents* and take a surprising twist. The kids will be called up to solve a crime a theft. The thief will challenge them to catch me if you can. The teams will be given a set of instructions written by the thief that they must follow to the letter. First, they will need to put together clues to find out WHAT was stolen. Next they will need to go on a mini-hunt to find 4 clues as to WHO stole it all while taking photos for the thief's scrapbook. Timing: approximately 90 minutes. *The raid and the Alien Detection Agency Agents are optional but recommended. The stolen item is green slime taken from an extraterrestrial OR as an alternative for an all girls party, the item is poisoned lipstick. You can also edit the game to have this stolen item be anything you want.

Part 3: One More Thing: The final activity is a challenge (in the form of a word scramble) to find the actual item that was stolen. Timing: approximately 15 minutes.

Part 4: Captured! The ending surprise will be that one of the kids attending the party is the thief. Yes it will even be a surprise to them. (You or one of your helpers can also be the thief.) Timing: Approximately 15 minutes.

Part 5: Job Well Done! You will have an awards presentation so all the teams are rewarded for a job well done.

Timing: Approximately 5 minutes.

This game includes friendly, helpful support along with master copies of:

* The game itself (of course)
* Facilitator guidelines, step by step instructions and supply list.
This guide offers adaptations you can make to the game to best
suit your needs. We even provide what we call a "culprit quiz" so
you can easily design clues leading to whodunit (one of the kids
attending the party; you or one of your helpers will be the thief).
* Team name badges
* Team ID table tents
* Award certificates
* Invitation

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BUY/PROVIDE: Inexpensive items (like arts & crafts supplies for one of the projects, optional disposable cameras, and prizes). We'll let you know exactly what you need to get in our handy facilitators' guide that comes with this scavenger hunt.