A detective party personalised for your child
Ages 8 to 12 · 2 hours · From £295
We write a mystery around your child and come to run it at your home, or in a hall you've booked.
Ask about a dateThe party
One mystery, written around the birthday child.
Every party starts with a few questions about your child, and we write the case from your answers. The children recognise the people and places in it, because it is about one of them.
A week before the party, an envelope arrives at your house addressed to your child. It invites them to the case and tells them just enough to get them planning before the day.
On the day, we come to your home or the hall, DBS checked and insured, and run the whole 2 hours. The children work in small teams to solve the case, with the birthday child at the centre of the story.
- 2 hours, for children aged 8 to 12
- Up to 20 children, brothers and sisters included
- At your home, or in a hall you've booked
- Twickenham, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Whitton, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Kingston, Ham, Petersham, Richmond, Kew, East Sheen, Mortlake, Barnes, Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth. A little further out? Do still ask.
- From £295. A £100 deposit holds your date.
On the day
What the party is like.
A PROPER CASE
The children follow the clues, question the suspects and work out who did it. It is written for 8 to 12 year olds, so the clues are tricky enough to be worth solving, and the answer is never obvious.
THE 2 HOURS
We arrive before the guests and set up. The case runs for about 2 hours, with a break for food and cake wherever it suits you, and we clear away before we go.
EVERY CHILD HAS A PART
Nobody has to perform, nobody has to dress up and nobody is left watching. Quieter children get a job to hold, and the birthday child decides how big a part they want.
What we bring, and what we'd ask of you
We bring everything for the case and take it all away at the end.
From you, we need a table and a plug socket. The food and the cake are yours, and please do have a cake, because it's part of the story. We're happy to suggest a caterer, or a hall if you don't have one in mind.
Questions parents ask
How much is it, and how do we pay?
£295 covers the 2 hours for up to 20 children and everything we bring. Academy member families pay £265. A £100 deposit holds your date, the rest is due 2 weeks before, and there's nothing to pay on the day. Travel to the areas listed above is included, and we'll quote for anywhere further.
Is any of it frightening?
No. Something goes missing, there's a whistle at one point, and the culprit turns out to be a grown-up the children know. No darkness and no masks.
My child is shy, or finds groups hard. Will it suit them?
Yes. The children work in small teams and nobody has to speak in front of the room. Tell us beforehand and we'll put them with a friend and give them a job to hold.
Do parents stay?
You're very welcome to, and most parents go for a coffee. Do be back 15 minutes before the end, because that's when the case is solved.
What about food, the cake and allergies?
The food is yours, and we're happy to suggest a caterer. Please have a cake, because it's part of the story. Tell us about any allergies. If any food of ours comes into the story, it is a packet of biscuits, and we check it against every allergy you give us.
How far ahead should we book, and what if plans change?
3 weeks at least, and December and the half terms go first. You can move the date once, as long as you ask 14 days or more before the date we agreed. Nearer than that, the date cannot change, and the cancellation terms apply. Cancel 14 days or more before and we return your deposit, less £50 if the case has been written. Under 14 days we keep the deposit, and under 48 hours the full fee is due.
From The Detective Club
The party comes from The Detective Club, our weekly club in Twickenham. Every guest is welcome to 1 free session.
Ask about a date
Tell us about the birthday
A few details and we'll reply within 1 working day. We hold a date for 48 hours while you decide.
Thank you. Your enquiry has reached us safely, and we'll reply within 1 working day.