← Printables & setup Host materials · includes answers
Host Garden Mail Mystery Earlier edition · 1.1.0 Use this edition with the same version of your printed clues. Its saved progress is separate from the current game.
Download matching edition 1.1.0 These ready-made files match the clues on this page. Host and full bundles include answers.
The garden post desk has mixed up its delivery record. Read the labels, check the route and rebuild the slot order before the flower fair opens. 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
TeamTeam 1 Team 2 Clue check & hints 1. Address Mark this clue completeHint 1 No item can belong to two people. Cross out each forbidden pairing.
Hint 2 Bee cannot have two items, so Bee must have Seed.
Hint 3 Cross Seed off for the other two people. Apply the last NOT rule, then find Snail's item.
Reveal host answer 6
Robin has Leaf; Bee has Seed; Snail has Petal. Snail's item gives 6.
2. Seal Mark this clue completeHint 1 Compare position 1 with position 1, not with a nearby matching shape.
Hint 2 Position 1 is one difference: circle in A, diamond in B. Mark it once.
Hint 3 Compare the remaining numbered pairs one by one. Add one mark for each unequal pair, then count all your marks.
Reveal host answer 4
Different positions are 1, 3, 4, 6. There are 4 differences.
3. Route Mark this clue completeHint 1 Move one square for each arrow. A revisit still counts as a move.
Hint 2 After the first 3 arrows, you are at row 2, column 3. Continue from there.
Hint 3 From that checkpoint follow down, left, up, right. Copy the last cell.
Reveal host answer 1
The route ends at row 2, column 3. That cell gives 1.
4. Post Mark this clue completeHint 1 The missing amount is a return into stock. The cancelled delivery never happened.
Hint 2 Start with 10. Apply +4 then -1. Ignore the cancelled +7.
Hint 3 The known entries leave 13. How much must return to reach the closing stock of 16?
Reveal host answer 3
Known stock: 10 + 4 - 1 = 13. Closing stock 16 minus 13 gives the missing return 3. Cancelled +7 never arrived.
5. Slots Mark this clue completeHint 1 Use the letter under each named shape.
Hint 2 The first two shapes give M then A. Decode the remaining shapes the same way.
Hint 3 Write MA first, then one letter per remaining shape. Choose the table row matching the whole message.
Reveal host answer 6
The decoded word is MAIL; its row gives 6.
6. Final Mark this clue completeNeeds: Address, Seal, Route, Post, Slots
Hint 1 Keep all five named badge results beside this sheet.
Hint 2 E3 is read first; it holds Slots.
Hint 3 Read slots E3, B3, C3, A3, D3. Copy every stored digit in that order, including zero.
Reveal host answer 64163
E3 > B3 > C3 > A3 > D3
Suggested timeline 3 minutes: Read the story, show the badge record and choose roles. 6 minutes: Solve Address. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted. 3 minutes: Solve Seal. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted. 4 minutes: Solve Route. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted. 5 minutes: Solve Post. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted. 4 minutes: Solve Slots. 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.
Record paper game complete
Finish with a short group review