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

Art Studio Color Case

Restore the studio exhibit labels using shape and stock evidence.

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

Art Studio Color Case: Sketch desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.

Your mission

The art studio labels are in the wrong envelopes. Compare the two print records, identify the artists and decode the shelf evidence without using color. 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. Sketch

Sketch desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.

Read this clue in text

Strip A: circle, star, diamond, heart, cross, hexagon, triangle, square. Strip B: diamond, star, cross, hexagon, cross, square, triangle, square. Compare the same numbered position.

2. Artist

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

Read this clue in text

Print digit 4 Sketch digit 7 Card digit 0 People: Sol, May, Jo Sol does NOT have Print. May does NOT have Sketch. May does NOT have Card. Jo does NOT have Sketch. Find May's item. Each item is used once.

3. Shelf

Shelf desk: Read the letter at each coordinate, in order. Letter = column; number = row. Convert the complete word using the printed table.

Art Studio Color Case: Shelf desk: Read the letter at each coordinate, in order. Letter = column; number = row. Convert the complete word using the printed table.

Read this clue in text

Columns: A, B, C, D. Rows: 1, 2, 3. 1 U X A D 2 T C A J 3 E S L R ARTS = 7 CASE = 0 VASE = 3 READ COORDINATES IN ORDER: C2 > D3 > A2 > B3

4. Stock

Stock desk: A return entry lost its amount. Use the opening and closing stock to find the missing return. Apply DONE entries; ignore the CANCELLED plan.

Art Studio Color Case: Stock desk: A return entry lost its amount. Use the opening and closing stock to find the missing return. Apply DONE entries; ignore the CANCELLED plan.

Read this clue in text

Opening stock: 11. Closing stock: 15. Received: +4 DONE Planned: +7 CANCELLED Issued: -1 DONE Returned: ? DONE Missing return = ? units. Ignore cancelled plans.

5. Frame

Frame desk: Every parcel has the same whole-number weight. Remove loose units, find ONE parcel and check the second rule.

Read this clue in text

2 parcels + 1 loose units = 9 units 2 parcels + 3 loose units = 11 units One parcel = ? units. Whole numbers 1–9. All parcels have equal weight.

6. Final

Compare each record with ALL five badge results. Find the one record matching every column. Copy its complete code, including the first zero.

Read this clue in text

C1=Sketch / C2=Artist / C3=Shelf C4=Stock / C5=Frame Record A: 01807 C1=4 C2=4 C3=7 C4=1 C5=4 Record B: 01817 C1=5 C2=4 C3=7 C4=1 C5=4 Record C: 01827 C1=4 C2=5 C3=7 C4=1 C5=4 Record D: 01837 C1=4 C2=4 C3=8 C4=1 C5=4 Record E: 01847 C1=4 C2=4 C3=7 C4=2 C5=4 Record F: 01857 C1=4 C2=4 C3=7 C4=1 C5=5