Party Outline

Party Outline

Background Info for the Host to know:

Setting: A small island in the Family Islands of the Bahamas called Little Iguana Island. On the island there is only one building, a bed-and-breakfast called the Blue Shell, and a boat dock. This island, in the Family Islands, offers miles and miles of unexplored beaches, caves and cays which allow for the best scuba diving, fishing and sailing.

Evidence that is presented during the game:

1) The boat is lowered in and out of the water by a winch system. Someone on the island must have purposefully lowered the boat into the water and set it adrift.

2) The radio in the kitchen is located right by the lemon ice machine. It has been pushed off of the counter and smashed on the floor.

Mystery:

Who wanted to strand the girls on the island???


Between each round of reading clues and asking questions the girls play a game. This helps keep the party active and interesting. Below are the games that I used but feel free to come up with games and activities of your own.


1)Introduction Game: Necklace or Leis Making

While the girls are arriving have a table set up for a leis or necklace making craft. This gives late comers time to arrive before introducing the mystery.

We used leather cord and seashell beads I bought at the local craft store.


2)Read the Introduction to the Mystery and the 1st set of Clues
Have the girls read the first clue to the group and then read the second clue to themselves. After the clue reading let the girls ask each other questions. Remind the girls that they must answer all questions honestly from what they know about their characters. If they don't know the answer to a question they should say that they don't know. It helps if the host or the birthday girl ask some questions to get the ball rolling. The party guests will get the hang of it in no time.

3)Game: Angry Crab Crossing

Make up a story that the group is being chased and they need to get across a field of angry crabs. Give each group paper plates (about 1/3 the number of plates as people), explaining that when they step on these plates, they will not get bitten by the crabs. The group must figure out how to get the entire group from point A to point B, from one side of the crab field to the other. Only one person at a time can stand on a plate, and the plates may be picked up and moved as often as needed. The key to the game is that only part of the team will be able to cross the crab field at a time and one person will need to work their way back across the field to help the rest of the team across. A time limit may be imposed.



4)Read the 2nd Set of Clues and discuss


5)Game: Puzzle

In advance put the puzzle together. Flip puzzle upside down and write your clue. The clue I wrote gave them a hint as to what the snack we were going to eat was. Have the group work on a glass cutting board or table so that when the puzzle is assembled they can read the clue on the bottom. I used a 100 piece puzzle that was put together by the group in no time.


6)Eat the Snack. Open Presents.


7)Read the 3rd Set of Clues and discuss



8)Game: Beach Charades

Act out this thing found on an island or the beach. Your friends only have 3 guesses before you have to sit down. If your friends guess correctly you get to move on.

Crab
Hula Girl
Palm Tree
Sun bather
Sea Gull
Swimmer
Dolphin
Fishing
Putting on SunscreenPutting on Sunglasses
Crab Hula Girl


9)Read the 4th Set of Clues and discuss


10)Last Game: Riddle Game

Set up:
In advance, gather several different containers (I used shoe boxes). Each container has a number on the outside. One of the numbers is the correct answer the the riddle. The other numbers are just there to fool the participants.

Prepare locked box. I used a footlocker that I locked with a combination lock. You could use any box with a lock or even a bike lock if that is what you have. Either a key or a number combination lock would be okay - but if it is a key lock, be sure to have enough keys to put in the wrong answer boxes. Put the solution to the mystery in an envelope marked "Solution" and place it in the locked box.

Put the correct lock combination or correct key in the container (shoe box) with the correct answer to the riddle on the outside.

Game Play:

Show the girls the 4 or 5 boxes with answers written on the outside of them. Read them the riddle and have them as a group decide which box has the correct answer. Let them keep guessing until they get it right.

Riddle

Cathy has six pairs of black flip flops and six pairs of brown flip flops in her drawer. In complete darkness, how many flip flops must she take from the drawer in order to be sure to get a pair that match? Think carefully!!

Answer:
13. She could possibly take out 6 black left foot flip flops and then 6 brown left flip flops, the next one would have to be either the right foot or left foot match.

11) Once the team has chosen the correct box, gotten the correct combination(key) and opened the locked box and gotten the "solution" envelope. Let the birthday girl read the solution to the party goers.

End of Party

Copyright Becky Barnum 2008. You may copy and use this information for home or personal use only. Author reserves all rights. The name Nancy Drew is owned by Simon & Schuster Inc.