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Mystery Puzzle Party Activity
Create a suspense using this party activity. The identity of the person in the "mystery puzzle" always comes as a delightful surprise to the party guests - it's them!
Materials Needed:
A photograph of each child (school photos work well, or try to get one that features a full-body shot)
1 large sheet of poster board per guest
Spray adhesive
A black felt-tip pen
1 large envelope per child (bright and colorful, if possible)
Scissors
Clear Contact paper (optional)
Before the party, collect the photographs of the kids scheduled to attend. You'll need to do it secretly, so call the guests' parents to arrange it. Suggest that they supply more than one photo so you can pick the one that will copy the best.
Take the photos to a copy store to have them copied in black and white and enlarged to a small poster size (about 12-by-18 inches). Cut poster board to the size of the photocopies and then spray the pieces of poster board with spray adhesive. Next, lay the enlarged pictures of each guest on the poster board, pressing down firmly.
Allow the posters to dry for a few minutes, cover them with clear contact paper if desired, and draw large-sized puzzle shapes on each one using a black felt-tip pen. Then cut out the puzzle pieces, keeping them together, and slip each puzzle into a large envelope. You can write each child's name on the inside flap of the envelope so you'll know which puzzle belongs to whom.
When you're ready for a quiet-time activity during the party, pass out the envelopes and have the kids put the puzzles together. Tell them the finished result will be a special surprise. Wait until you see the expressions when they realize the face on the puzzle is their own!
Creative Options
If the puzzles are not covered with clear Contact paper, the kids can color them with crayons.
Serve a cake decorated with the face of the birthday child or party host (call a bakery for details).
Prizes and Favors
Give the kids special gift certificates at a shop that creates magazine covers, T-shirt, or mugs featuring the customer's likeness.
Trouble-Shooting Tips
Be sure to make the puzzle pieces large enough for preschoolers to use. If they have too many pieces to work with, the activity won't be as much fun.
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