Host materials · includes answers

Host Cupcake Constellation

The space kitchen has lost the constellation layout code. Decode the star label, match the tray keepers and check the supply record before reading the star slots. Collect five named badge digits and use the final sheet. Every clue is on the table; ask the host for one hint at a time.

Before you start

Print one player pack and two record sheets per team. Keep the host answers and all three hint levels with the adult.Keep every clue as a full sheet at one table. Put the final sheet face down until all five results are recorded. Nothing needs cutting, folding or hiding.Give each child a pencil. Choose a reader, recorder and checker, and swap jobs after each clue. Use one team for 2–4 children or two teams for 5–6.

Rotate player roles · Choose a useful hint · Manage two teams

Team

Clue check & hints

1. Stars

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Use the letter under each named shape.

Hint 2

The first two shapes give S then T. Decode the remaining shapes the same way.

Hint 3

Write ST first, then one letter per remaining shape. Choose the table row matching the whole message.

Reveal host answer

The decoded word is STAR; its row gives 3.

2. Keeper

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

No item can belong to two people. Cross out each forbidden pairing.

Hint 2

Neve cannot have two items, so Neve must have Tag.

Hint 3

Cross Tag off for the other two people. Apply the last NOT rule, then find Luna's item.

Reveal host answer

Luna has Tray; Neve has Tag; Pax has Chart. Luna's item gives 6.

3. Stock

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

The missing amount is a return into stock. The cancelled delivery never happened.

Hint 2

Start with 8. Apply +2 then -3. Ignore the cancelled +7.

Hint 3

The known entries leave 7. How much must return to reach the closing stock of 16?

Reveal host answer

Known stock: 8 + 2 - 3 = 7. Closing stock 16 minus 7 gives the missing return 9. Cancelled +7 never arrived.

4. Orbit

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Columns A–D run left to right. Rows 1–3 run top to bottom.

Hint 2

The first coordinate A3 means column A, row 3. Its letter is S.

Hint 3

Begin with S, then read B1, C2, D3 in order. Use the complete word's conversion row.

Reveal host answer

A3, B1, C2, D3 reads STAR. The conversion table gives 3.

5. Tray

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Loose units are not parcels. Every parcel has equal weight.

Hint 2

Remove 1 loose units from 25. That leaves 24 for the equal parcels.

Hint 3

Share 24 equally among 4 parcels. Substitute one parcel's weight into the second rule.

Reveal host answer

Remove 1 from 25; share 24 among 4 parcels to get 6. Check 2 x 6 + 3 = 15.

6. Final

Mark this clue complete

Needs: Stars, Keeper, Stock, Orbit, Tray

Hint 1

Keep all five named badge results beside this sheet.

Hint 2

C3 is read first; it holds Stock.

Hint 3

Read slots C3, E3, A3, D3, B3. Copy every stored digit in that order, including zero.

Reveal host answer

96336

C3 > E3 > A3 > D3 > B3

Suggested timeline

3 minutes: Read the story, show the badge record and choose roles.
4 minutes: Solve Stars. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
6 minutes: Solve Keeper. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Stock. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Orbit. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Tray. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Use the five results on the final sheet.
2 minutes: Read the ending and thank each teammate.

Pause whenever the group needs a break. This is a planning estimate.

Finish with a short group review