Ages 8–10 · Est. 30–45 minutes · 2–6 players

Archive Stamp Mystery

Return the archive stamp to its correct record drawer.

Six clues, three hint levels each, and a paper-only finish. No locks, apps or cutting required.

Archive Stamp Mystery: Note desk: Decode all shapes in message order. Repeated shapes repeat their letter. Convert the full word using the table.

Your mission

An archive stamp is missing its drawer label. A coded note, three clerk assignments and a misleading word strip are the only paper evidence. 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.

Set up in one room

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.

Materials

6 player sheets and 2 prop sheets per team
One pencil per child
One adult host with the answer and hint pages

Designed ages and estimated time have not yet been calibrated in a live child playtest.

See all six player clues

These are the actual figures from the printable player pack.

1. Note

Note desk: Decode all shapes in message order. Repeated shapes repeat their letter. Convert the full word using the table.

Read this clue in text

Key: star means F; diamond means I; heart means L; cross means E. Message: star, diamond, heart, cross. Conversion: FILE means 1; CASE means 4; VASE means 7.

2. Clerk

Clerk desk: Each person has ONE different item. Use all four NOT rules. Find Ivo's item and copy its digit.

Read this clue in text

Seal digit 4 Stamp digit 7 Tag digit 0 People: Uma, Ivo, Lin Uma does NOT have Seal. Ivo does NOT have Stamp. Ivo does NOT have Tag. Lin does NOT have Stamp. Find Ivo's item. Each item is used once.

3. Word

Word desk: Find the exact word FILE, reading RIGHT only. Reject near matches and reversed words. Copy the digit immediately after it.

Archive Stamp Mystery: Word desk: Find the exact word FILE, reading RIGHT only. Reject near matches and reversed words. Copy the digit immediately after it.

Read this clue in text

Find FILE; only read to the RIGHT. F I L X 8 A B C E L I F 2 A B C F I L E 7 D E F C A M P 9 S U N Answer = digit in the next square after the word.

4. Entry

Entry desk: Combine every BEFORE rule to order the four actions. Write positions on the whole-sheet cards. Read position 2.

Read this clue in text

Cards: Check stamp [3]; File note [7]; Find drawer [5]; Read record [1]. Rules: Read record BEFORE Find drawer; Check stamp BEFORE File note; Find drawer BEFORE File note; Read record BEFORE Check stamp; Check stamp BEFORE Find drawer. Read card position 2.