We had such a fun time with Lu's Spy Birthday Party that I'm secretly sad that I won't be able to use that theme again. I think I had as much fun as the kids! Honestly, there is too much to share in one post, so today I'm sharing our Top Secret Spy Mission (and some free printable clue keys).
We started the party by giving the kids spy training, which was so fun that it needed its own post. Then, after training, our agents completed a Top Secret Mission to test their new skills. (Shout out to Stitch/Craft Creations for sharing so many great clue ideas.)
Top Secret Spy Mission Clues
RELATED: Spy Party Invitations, Spy Training Course, Cherry Bomb/Firecracker Cake Pops
Because everyone's home and resources are different, your spy mission will differ from mine. Check out my clues and decoders, and adapt them to your location.
The agents learned that Doctor Bad had hidden a time bomb somewhere at the camp. Of course, they were needed for an immediate spy mission! Their mission: Follow the clues to find and disarm the bomb.
To begin the activity, the agents received their first clue and a bag of decoders (a graph cipher, a peek-a-boo cipher, a mason cipher, and an empty toilet paper tube). Then they decided which ciphers matched each clue. (It was pretty easy since they only had to match the colors.)
Clue #1: Mirror Clue
The text on the top half of the clue said:
In order to become super spies, you must learn to use your eyes! "Reflect" on this message to find your first clue.
The bottom half contained a poem written with flipped text. To read it, the agents held it up to a mirror. It said:
You can eat hot dogs boiled or fried, but to make them taste best, better go outside!
That clue led to an outdoor barbecue grill.
Clue #2: Stretched Word Clue
This clue said the word "FRIDGE" with some extra squiggly lines before and after the word. The whole thing was stretched, making it difficult to read unless they laid the clue on a flat surface and then crouched down to view the clue at eye level.
*This clue is included in the printables. I assume everyone has a fridge, so this clue should work for anyone.
Clue #3: Peek-A-Boo Cipher
This clue was found in the refrigerator. It said:
Head to the room that holds nothing but books. Find "Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones." Solve this math problem to find the page you need.
(10 x 3) -1 =
The kids solved the math problem, went to the den to find books, and located the specific book. Then, they slid the cut-out page into the book (on page 29). Finally, they read the clue through the cut-out windows. (Sorry I can't give you a template for this one. This was the trickiest clue to create!) The message read:
The missing clue is found at the front entrance.
Clue #4: Graphing Cipher
The agents found the next clue near the front door. Then, they used the graphing cipher to read the message:
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
The clue led to the garden. *The graphing cipher key is included in the printables.
Clue #5: Mason Cipher
Once the clue in the garden was translated, it said, "Tall Clock," and led to a clue attached to a Grandfather clock.
*The Mason cipher key is included in the printables.
Clue #6: Scytale Cipher
To decode the final clue, the kids used the toilet paper tube. To make this clue, cut a long strip of paper and wrap it around the toilet paper tube. Write your message, and then unroll the paper strip. Without the toilet paper tube, it is unreadable.
The final clue leads the agents to the backyard, where they find this Time Bomb Piñata. Visit here to learn how to make it.
Click the download link below to open the PDF clue printable files. (A new page will open. You can print from there or save the file to your computer for later.)
I hope you have a lot of fun creating your own Spy Birthday party!
You might like some of these ideas, too. Images below are linked to posts.
See you next time!
Lara
Oh my gosh! These are great--I love all the different approaches to finding clues. Sounds like an amazing party!
Heidi
Thanks, Lara. The party was really fun. I kinda wish another of my kids wanted the same theme so that I could do it again!
Marilyn
Heidi, what a fun idea for a birthday party....spies! Thanks so much for all these great ideas!
Heidi
Thanks, Marilyn. The theme was my daughter's idea. (I'm glad she switched from Shopkins--that's a toy. I had no idea what to do with that! This theme was a lot of fun.
Sheena
Wow! What a great party! My kids would love this for a party or just an activity for a boring summer day. I'll have to get my act together and use some of your ideas. Thanks!
Heidi
Thanks, Sheena. This would be a perfect boredom buster. Who says you need a party in order to go on a spy mission! Do it!
Camille
Oh I love the Time Bomb Pinata! My kids love codes- I'm going to have to try this next week just for fun! Thanks for the idea! Pinning it
Heidi
Do it, Camille! The kids loved it. Just be prepared because they will all want to be the one to do the decoding. We had to take turns. The tutorial for the pinata is on it's way.
Alia
Oh goodness I bet they LOVED solving that- one big puzzle! How old is the birthday gal? Gotta keep this in mind for when my kids get a bit older.
Heidi
The party was for my 8-year-old daughter, but she had some ten-year-olds there, and they enjoyed it as well. For this part of the party, the kids need to know how to read. The rest of the party, though, could be for almost any age.
Montserrat
I'm seriously going to throw a spy party for my kids just because. These are some awesome ideas! I love all the clue and cipher ideas. And the time bomb pinata - ingenious! Maybe I'll plan one for the end of summer before school starts again.
Heidi
You should totally plan one! I think summer boredom is a great excuse to throw a party!
Beth
I LOVE this! THANK YOU for sharing all your very creative ideas. I was totally stumped when Daughter announced that she wanted a Detective-themed party. These ideas are perfect!
Heidi
I'm so glad I could help, Beth. I hope your party turns out great! Thanks so much for taking the time to say thank you!
Beth
Thank you Heidi!
My Daughter wants the kids to be divided into 2 groups, and 2 separate missions. (she likes giving me a challenge) I finally finished the clues, and am getting very excited for her party!!! THANK YOU so much for all your tips, and for sharing this with me.
Beth
How did you create the mirror message? Is there a font on Microsoft Word, or did you hand print the message?
Heidi
I should have thought to explain that in the post, Beth. Sorry! It's really simple if you have a photo editing program, but also doable if you don't.
In Photoshop or similar program, create a text box with your message. Next, flip the image. Done. If you are using a program that won't allow you to flip your image, just print out the text you want, turn the paper over and tape it to a window when the light is shining in. Tape a blank paper on top and trace the backwards message. Good luck!
Linda Lea
Hello! These ideas are all amazing! Can I ask how many kids were at the party? We are planning for 12-15 - would you recommend splitting them into 2 groups? Just thinking of the code deciphering (who gets to hold the clue- you know, stuff kids argue about :P)
Thank you again!!!
Heidi
Hi, Linda. It’s been a really long time since we had this party. From counting the number of ribbons on the piñata, I’d guess that there were nine kids at the party. It is more fun to look at clues when it’s a smaller group. I agree with you. With a group that size, it might be more fun to have two groups following two different sets of clues. Have a great time with your party!
Treva
This sounds like a great party. My daughter, who is turning 7 this year, would like a spy party. I was just wondering if this was a free for all thing...like each kid got their own clue, or did you pair them up? Also, how do you get to the link where it tells you how to get to the pinata?
Heidi
Hi, Treva. I hope your daughter loves her Spy Party. It's such a fun theme. Thank you for letting me know that the pinata was not linked it this post. You will now find the link in the sentence above the picture of the pinata.
As for the clues, we had one set of clues that the kids all shared and figured out together. If you have a large group, you may want to make to sets of clues (that both get to the same ending, but with different places in between), and divide the kids up.
It's been a while, but it seems like the kids at our party took turns solving the clues. Have fun!
Dawn Svendsen
Hi! I love this party idea. My daughter is having a spy party with about 25 kids. Any tips or thoughts on how to do this mission with a large group? It’s 24 8-9 year old girls. Thank you!!
Heidi
Hi, Dawn. You are brave to have 25 8-9 year olds! Sounds like a fun party. I think this idea will only work for you if you are in a large area. We originally did this in my small home, and there would never have been enough room for that many kids to participate.
The second time we did it, it was with a church youth group, and we were able to do it at the church building. It was easy to divide the kids into groups and rearrange the clues so that the different groups do the clue in different orders. (You could also make the clues totally different.
If you can use outside and inside, you might be able to do different groups that way. I wouldn't put mor than 6 or 7 kids on a group. It's more fun when the groups are small enough so that all the kids can help solve the clues.
I hope you have a great time!
Sian
Hi. Just wanted to say thank you for some fabulous ideas. Creating an Easter spy trail for my son at the moment and have borrowed a few ideas. Thank you!
Heidi
You’re welcome, Sian. I hope the Easter spy trail turns out great!
Nelly
Thanks Heidi,
So great. Congrats.
Will use some for the castle party