Kids Murder Mystery Game: How they handle the complexity
Aside from the obvious issue of the appropriateness of the content, many parents are concerned that their pre-teen party kids won’t be able to handle the complexity of the ’set-up’ of a murder mystery party. To make the game interesting and fun, a lot has to go on. Parents are rightfully concerned about overwhelm and non-participation because of confusion.
The Medieval Party Game feedback I received from Mary in
I’d love to give feedback. I have a twin boy and girl who turned 11. We have always had their party together except for last year she wanted to do girl things but they both still joined in each others party anyways…this year we were in search of a joint party once again. I also seem to be in the pattern of one year doing a party outside the home and the alternate year at home. Of all the fun and inventive ideas we have for outside the home the kids seem to talk most about the parties we plan at home (sort of a novel idea these days I think!)
I had an adult play King Stephen and they said after 5 minutes that 45 minutes would be too long for this age group. I said let me put the food in the oven and I’ll be back out (we did the reception in the back yard). Well, I could not get them to stop the reception! Once they got into it and the kids who were a little confused began playing, it was hilarious. During the wedding feast Queen Lisle, who had promised to marry 3 different people, kept wondering when her weddings would take place…
Some of the kids did not want to go along with their ‘secrets’ and I just let it flow. Some chose the murderer based on their interpretation of what they saw, and others chose because someone refused to make a deal or marry them. So at whatever level the child was at, they made it work and all had fun, both the shy and the outgoing children.
The feedback from parents was they were overwhelmed at first with the invitation package but so excited, and now a week later the kids are still telling details of the party to friends and family. The kids just make it work, so there was no need to stress if they would understand or get involved.
It is important to be working with a group of kids that enjoys a challenge- what I’ll call fairly high achievers. The outgoing ones will carry the shy ones along into the fun once they start to click.
If this isn’t your group, take a look at my 4 other birthday party games.
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