No: nobody is bad. Someone borrowed it for a good reason and gives it back.

How does the case work?

Something has gone missing, and there is a line-up of animal suspects. Each clue page has a puzzle: its answer shows which clue card is the real one. Your child copies the six clues into the Case File, crosses out the suspects each clue rules out, and only one is left. Every clue is needed, and every puzzle has exactly one answer.

Which age band should I pick?

Junior Detective is for ages 5 to 7, Detective for 7 to 9 and Chief Inspector for 9 to 12. The ages are only a guide: the pages never show an age. If a pack is too easy or too hard, make the next case from the band beside it. For children under 5, try Maze Adventures.

Case 1 is ready straight away. When it is solved, print set 2: a new case, new suspects, new puzzles and new answers. There are 999 sets for every child, so there is a new case whenever you like.

Can I make it for more than one child?

Yes. You buy Puzzle Detective once, then make it for any child at any age band, as often as you like.

Is there a black and white version?

Yes, with every pack: suspects and pictures in outline to colour, and much less ink.

What do I need to print it?

Any home printer, A4 or US Letter, and a pencil. Scissors are handy for the badge and the code wheel, but every page works without them.

What do you keep about my child?

Their first name and favourite animal, so you can make the next pack in one tap. You can delete a saved child any time in My Printables.

Is it free for members?

Yes: members make Puzzle Detective for every child, every band and every set at no extra cost.

Personalised pack

Puzzle Detective, starring your child

Type your child's name and pick an age band. Something has gone missing! With their favourite animal as partner, they solve six puzzles (sudoku, secret codes, logic grids, fingerprints and more) to find six clues and work out who borrowed it. A new case whenever you like (999 sets).

A new case! Let us look for clues.

Hi, I'm Bobo! Type the detective's name and I'll open a new case.

Who's the star?

That's all we need. We've picked the rest, and you can change anything below.

Save this child: the child's details for next timeFill in future packs in one tap. You can delete them any time in My Printables.

What's inside (22 pages)

✓ A case to solve, with their animal as partner
✓ Sudoku, a number code and a logic grid
✓ Fingerprints, a code lock and picture logic
✓ Detective training: crossword, maze and more
✓ Who took it? Then a certificate

Make it theirs

9 ways to make it theirs

What you add is only used to make this pack, and to fill in the next one if you save the child.

One payment buys Puzzle Detective for good: any child, any age band, and a new case whenever you like (999 sets), on A4 or US Letter. Free for members. By buying you agree to our terms.

A look inside (for “Mia”)

The cover: their name, their animal partner, and a star for every page they finish

The Case File: the story, the suspects and six boxes for the clues

A detective badge and ID card to cut out

Junior Detective: a picture sudoku. The star square picks the real clue card

Junior Detective: which fingerprint matches the one that was found?

Chief Inspector: a code wheel to cut out and turn

Who took it? Only one suspect fits all six clues

Answers for grown-ups: the solved case and every puzzle

Black and white: the same pack with much less ink

Case closed! A certificate with their name

What is inside, for each age

Junior Detective · ages 5-7 · 20 pages

A case to solve: seven animal suspects and six picture clues
Picture sudoku and odd one out
A picture code: each picture stands for a letter
Find the matching fingerprint, a word search and a maze
Detective training, a badge to cut out and a certificate

Detective · ages 7-9 · 22 pages

A case to solve: eight suspects and six clues
Sudoku, a number code (A = 1) and a logic grid
Fingerprints, a code lock and a picture logic puzzle
Detective training: a picture crossword, two code locks, a key-and-gate maze
A badge to cut out and a certificate

Chief Inspector · ages 9-12 · 22 pages

A case to solve: nine suspects and trickier clues
6 × 6 sudoku, 4 × 4 logic grids and maths cages
A 4-number code lock, picture logic and a code wheel to cut out
Detective training: a crossword, a one-way maze, words in every direction
A badge to cut out and a certificate

A new case whenever you like (999 sets)

Case closed? Print set 2: something else has gone missing, with new suspects, new puzzles and its own answers. You can make it for a brother or sister too, or for the same child a band up when they are ready. Find all your packs again in My Printables.

Questions

Is it scary?: No: nobody is bad. Someone borrowed it for a good reason and gives it back.
How does the case work?: Something has gone missing, and there is a line-up of animal suspects. Each clue page has a puzzle: its answer shows which clue card is the real one. Your child copies the six clues into the Case File, crosses out the suspects each clue rules out, and only one is left. Every clue is needed, and every puzzle has exactly one answer.
Which age band should I pick?: Junior Detective is for ages 5 to 7, Detective for 7 to 9 and Chief Inspector for 9 to 12. The ages are only a guide: the pages never show an age. If a pack is too easy or too hard, make the next case from the band beside it. For children under 5, try Maze Adventures.
What is a "set"?: Case 1 is ready straight away. When it is solved, print set 2: a new case, new suspects, new puzzles and new answers. There are 999 sets for every child, so there is a new case whenever you like.
Can I make it for more than one child?: Yes. You buy Puzzle Detective once, then make it for any child at any age band, as often as you like.
Is there a black and white version?: Yes, with every pack: suspects and pictures in outline to colour, and much less ink.
What do I need to print it?: Any home printer, A4 or US Letter, and a pencil. Scissors are handy for the badge and the code wheel, but every page works without them.
What do you keep about my child?: Their first name and favourite animal, so you can make the next pack in one tap. You can delete a saved child any time in My Printables.
Is it free for members?: Yes: members make Puzzle Detective for every child, every band and every set at no extra cost.

For younger children, try Maze Adventures (ages 2 and up). Want something to try first? Make a free word search or crossword.

More packs made for them

See all 7 personalised packs