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

Inventor Relay Assembly

Find the correct final test record for a paper relay machine.

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

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

Your mission

The invention desk mixed its build sequence with a cancelled parts entry. Match the builders, compare the relay diagrams and decode the final test signal. 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. Build

Build 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: Test model [3]; Fit lever [9]; Read plan [7]; Join relay [1]. Rules: Read plan BEFORE Join relay; Fit lever BEFORE Test model; Join relay BEFORE Test model; Read plan BEFORE Fit lever; Fit lever BEFORE Join relay. Read card position 2.

2. Parts

Parts 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.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Parts 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: 13. Received: +3 DONE Planned: +7 CANCELLED Issued: -2 DONE Returned: ? DONE Missing return = ? units. Ignore cancelled plans.

3. Builder

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

Read this clue in text

Lever digit 4 Wheel digit 7 Relay digit 0 People: Dee, Mo, Xin Dee does NOT have Lever. Mo does NOT have Wheel. Mo does NOT have Relay. Xin does NOT have Wheel. Find Xin's item. Each item is used once.

4. Diagram

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

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

Read this clue in text

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