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Mystery Party Games

Relive the joy of your youth with a bit of playacting or throw a unique party for children with mystery party games. These games create a mystery that must be solved by party-goers through interactive theater, role-playing and investigation. Games can range from the highly complex, using intricate props, sets and mysteries, to casual ones that rely mostly on acting alone. You can play the game on its own, during dinner or over the course of an entire weekend.

Preparation
- The first step in planning the ultimate mystery party game is to decide what kind of mystery you will be acting out. Murder mysteries are the most common, and a great deal of fun for adults, but for younger children you might want to create a more tame mystery, such as finding a missing item or explaining an unexplained event. After you have decided, buy invitations and props and start writing the script for the game.
  
  Invitations should be fully explanatory and include information about possible costumes or props that will be needed. You will need detailed character outlines, usually written on cards, for your guests. Plan interludes throughout the night so that set actors and actresses can perform parts of the storyline, giving your guests further hints and instruction. Ensure that you provide enough information so that your guests can solve the mystery, yet not so much that the resolution is obvious.
Execution
- The location of the party should be fully set with props for the ensuing festivities before the party-goers arrive. At the party's outset, run through all of the rules and set-up of the game. Most mystery games require some actors and actresses, such as those playing the victim and the perpetrator, to further the plot throughout the night; choose animated performers that will capture the attention of your guests. Do not break character, and encourage others to stay in character. Talking and mingling is necessary to keep the game going, so if you notice the party becoming a bit dull or off-track, try to pull things back together, possibly with another plot-pushing interlude.
DIY vs. Kits
- For those with the party-planning spirit, throwing a mystery game is a cinch. Others often prefer using a kit. Many websites specialize in mystery party game kits. You can also find these kits, and possibly a party planner specializing in these games, at your local party store. If you choose to go it on your own, make a list of all the possible things you will need: invitations, props, costumes, prizes and character cards. You can usually use any simple word processing program to make invitations and character cards. Props, costumes and prizes can be found almost anywhere, depending on how creative you are. Party stores and thrift shops are ideal places to look for props and costumes.

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