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    Home » Parties & Gifts » Party Ideas

    Spy Birthday Party Ideas -- Spy Mission and Clues

    Published: Jan 29, 2021 by Heidi. This post may contain affiliate links 25 Comments

    We had such a fun time with Lu's Spy Birthday Party. 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 just too much to share in one post. Today I'm sharing our Top Secret Spy Mission (and some free printable clue keys).

    Such fun spy birthday party ideas! Send the kids to spy training and then on a top secret mission to find the hidden time bomb. Great ideas for clues, too! {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    We started the party by giving the kids spy training. Once they were trained, we created this Top Secret Mission for the agents to test out their new skills. Special thanks to Stitch/Craft Creations. Many of my spy clue ideas came from there.

    Top Secret Spy Mission Clues

    RELATED: Spy Party Invitations, Spy Training Course, Cherry Bomb/Firecracker Cake Pops

    I'm sure no one will want to exactly duplicate my spy mission (since everyone's home and resources are different), but I'll walk you through all the clues to give you some ideas.

    At the beginning of the mission, the agents were told that Doctor Bad had hidden a time bomb somewhere at the camp. Their mission was to follow the clues and find and disarm the bomb. The agents were given the first clue and a bag of decoders (a graph cipher, a peek-a-boo cipher, a mason cipher, and an empty toilet paper tube). They had to decide which ciphers they needed for each clue. (It was pretty easy, since all they had to do was match the colors.)

    Mirror Spy Birthday Party Mission Clue {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Clue #1: Mirror Clue

    The text on this clue reads:

    In order to become super spies, you must learn to use your eyes! "Reflect" on this message to find your first clue.

    Then, on the bottom half is a poem that has been flipped so that it has to be viewed in a mirror in order to read it. It says:

    You can eat hot dogs boiled or fried, but to make them taste best, better go outside!

    That clue leads to an outdoor barbecue grill.

    Stretched Word Spy Birthday Party Mission Clue {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Clue #2: Stretched Word Clue

    This clue says the word FRIDGE with some extra squiggly lines before and after the word. The whole thing is stretched so that it's difficult to read unless you lay the clue on a flat surface and then crouch down so that the clue is at eye level.

    *This clue is included in the printables. I figure everyone has a fridge, so this clue should work for anyone.

    Peek-a-Boo Cipher Spy Birthday Party Mission Clue {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Clue #3: Peek-A-Boo Cipher

    This clue is found in the refrigerator. Here's what it says:

    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 solve the math problem, go to the den to find the books, and locate the specific book. Then, they slide the cut-out page into the book (on page 29). The clue can then be read through the cut-out windows. (Sorry I can't give you a template for this one. This was definitely the trickiest clue to create!) The message reads:

    The missing clue is found at the front entrance.

    Graph Code Spy Birthday Party Mission Clue {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Clue #4: Graphing Cipher

    The next clue is found outside and near the front door. Using the graphing cipher, the message reads:

    Mary, Mary, quite contrary

    The clue leads to the garden. *The graphing cipher key is included in the printables.

    Mason Cipher Spy Birthday Party Mission Clue {OneCreativeMommy.com}
    Clue #5: Mason Cipher

    The clue in the garden, when translated, says, "Tall Clock." The next clue is found on the Grandfather clock.

    *The mason cipher key is included in the printables.

    Scytale Cipher Spy Birthday Party Mission Clue {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Clue #6: Scytale Cipher

    The kids use the toilet paper tube to decipher the last clue. 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. Stay tuned for my next post to find out how I made it.

    The perfect way to end a Spy Birthday Party! Kids have to disarm the piñata by pulling on the strings. {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    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.)

    Click to download

    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.

    Harry Potter Party Invitations Delivered by Owl Post {OneCreativeMommy.com} #harrypotter #birthdayparty #halloweenparty

    Quick and Easy Snowgies Craft for Kids inspired by Frozen Fever! {Soon your house will be covered with these adorable baby snowmen!} Tutorial on OneCreativeMommy.com

    Cool printable spy party invitations. Just fill in the info, and you're ready to go! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Perfect for spy and secret agent birthday parties. Personalization available.

    See you next time!

    Heidi

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Lara

      July 06, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      Oh my gosh! These are great--I love all the different approaches to finding clues. Sounds like an amazing party!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        July 06, 2015 at 11:16 pm

        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!

        Reply
    2. Marilyn

      July 06, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      Heidi, what a fun idea for a birthday party....spies! Thanks so much for all these great ideas!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        July 06, 2015 at 11:17 pm

        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.

        Reply
    3. Sheena

      July 06, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        July 06, 2015 at 11:20 pm

        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!

        Reply
    4. Camille

      July 06, 2015 at 3:42 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Heidi

        July 06, 2015 at 11:21 pm

        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.

        Reply
    5. Alia

      July 08, 2015 at 9:26 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        July 09, 2015 at 8:54 pm

        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.

        Reply
    6. Montserrat

      July 08, 2015 at 1:23 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        July 09, 2015 at 8:53 pm

        You should totally plan one! I think summer boredom is a great excuse to throw a party!

        Reply
    7. Beth

      August 09, 2016 at 8:46 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        August 09, 2016 at 11:27 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Beth

          August 26, 2016 at 11:20 am

          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.

          Reply
    8. Beth

      August 22, 2016 at 10:19 am

      How did you create the mirror message? Is there a font on Microsoft Word, or did you hand print the message?

      Reply
      • Heidi

        August 24, 2016 at 9:49 pm

        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!

        Reply
    9. Linda Lea

      August 28, 2018 at 9:56 am

      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!!!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        August 28, 2018 at 7:36 pm

        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!

        Reply
    10. Treva

      October 15, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Heidi

        October 15, 2018 at 11:23 pm

        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!

        Reply
    11. Dawn Svendsen

      May 24, 2019 at 4:54 am

      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!!

      Reply
    12. Heidi

      May 28, 2019 at 7:27 am

      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!

      Reply
    13. Sian

      April 03, 2021 at 3:33 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        April 03, 2021 at 7:52 pm

        You’re welcome, Sian. I hope the Easter spy trail turns out great!

        Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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