Ages 8–10 · Est. 35–50 minutes · 2–6 players

Secret Library Parcel

A parcel changed desks twice and its first shelf label is no longer current. Work together to locate the returned story parcel.

6 clues, gradual hints and a complete paper finish. Choose a reader, a recorder and a checker, then work through the mission together.

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Secret Library Parcel: Use the borrower slips and return book to follow the completed record. Match printed keys, then report the requested field. A planned or cancelled entry cannot prove a move.

Your mission

Work together to locate the returned story parcel.

Welcome to the secret library. A parcel changed desks twice and its first shelf label is no longer current. Your team has the original records on the table. First recover five pieces of information, then use the final plan to locate the returned story parcel. Keep every result beside its badge so another teammate can check your reasoning.

How your team will think

Join records, check source status and explain why a near match fails.

Keep the badge results beside the candidate sheet. For each candidate, point to the evidence that supports or rejects it; the final choice must pass every printed check.

Set up in one room

Print the six player sheets and two record sheets for each team. Keep answers and hints with the host.
Lay out Borrower slips, Departure windows (minutes after opening), the remaining clue sheets and the final plan. All task records are printed inside the sheets; no extra prop is needed.
After each clue, pass roles one seat clockwise. With two players, combine Reader with Recorder and Checker with Builder. With five or six, add a second checker and a source finder; everyone explains one decision.

Bring to the table

One complete player set and record set per team
One pencil per child
One adult host with the answer and hint pages

Print and sorting checklist · Plan the player roles

Ages and durations are design estimates. Choose the pace and reading support that suit your group.

Look before you print

See all 6 player clues

These are the actual figures and instructions from the player pack. Read the final page’s rule along with the earlier clues.

Clue 1 of 6

Record

Use the borrower slips and return book to follow the completed record. Match printed keys, then report the requested field. A planned or cancelled entry cannot prove a move.

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Clue 2 of 6

Window

The team needs time for both the job and the journey. It cannot start before the earliest time, leave a window unfinished, or arrive after the deadline. Which departure window works? Times are minutes after opening.

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Departure windows (minutes after opening) EARLY: start 10; window ends 25 MID: start 20; window ends 35 LATE: start 30; window ends 50 Work and travel Earliest start 15; job 7 min. Travel 5 min; arrival deadline 35. Job + travel must both fit inside one window. Report the only possible window ID.

Clue 3 of 6

Order

Order desk: Combine every BEFORE rule to order the four actions. Write positions on the whole-sheet cards. Read position 3.

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Cards: Place parcel [8]; Check title [4]; Log return [2]; Find shelf [6]. Rules: Log return BEFORE Find shelf; Check title BEFORE Place parcel; Find shelf BEFORE Place parcel; Log return BEFORE Check title; Check title BEFORE Find shelf. Read card position 3.

Clue 4 of 6

Reader

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

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Atlas digit 5 Fable digit 8 Poem digit 1 People: Mia, Leo, Nia Mia does NOT have Fable. Leo does NOT have Poem. Leo does NOT have Atlas. Nia does NOT have Poem. Find Leo's item. Each item is used once.

Clue 5 of 6

Shelf

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

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Columns: A, B, C, D. Rows: 1, 2, 3. 1 P B V Y 2 U X O D 3 Z C F K BOOK = 8 CASE = 1 VASE = 4 READ COORDINATES IN ORDER: B1 > C2 > C2 > D3

Clue 6 of 6

Final

Use each recorded result in the evidence key to learn one feature. Compare all five features with the location plan. Report the one location ID supported by every source, then explain why a nearby alternative fails.

Secret Library Parcel: Use each recorded result in the evidence key to learn one feature. Compare all five features with the location plan. Report the one location ID supported by every source, then explain why a nearby alternative fails.

Read this clue in text

Location plan BAY-J: leaf / south / stone / lower / square BAY-K: leaf / south / wood / upper / round BAY-L: ring / south / stone / upper / square BAY-A: leaf / north / wood / upper / square BAY-B: leaf / north / wood / upper / round BAY-C: ring / south / wood / lower / square BAY-D: leaf / north / stone / upper / round BAY-E: ring / south / stone / lower / round BAY-F: ring / north / wood / upper / round BAY-G: ring / south / stone / lower / square BAY-H: leaf / north / wood / lower / round BAY-I: ring / north / stone / lower / square Column order and evidence key Stamp (Record): RING=ring; LEAF=leaf Door (Window): MID=north; EARLY=south Surface (Order): 6=wood; 8=stone Level (Reader): 5=lower; 8=upper Seal (Shelf): 1=square; 8=round

Start after: Record, Window, Order, Reader, Shelf