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Toy Chest Trauma
£39.95
Add intrigue to your next party with this mystery game, set in a child’s toy room.
Format:
30 Minute Mystery
Setting:
A child's bedroom
Time:
30+ minutes
Ages:
Family / Children
Players:
Play with Printed Sheets or the App
Hosts have the choice of playing the game with printable documents or using the PWM Party Assistant app
View app gameplay guide
Play In-Person or Over Video Chat
You can host this game in-person or over video chat. The game is built to be run either way!
A missing teddy leaves Alicia’s toys worried…
Backstory
Your guests will play the roles of toys belonging to little Alicia Smith, age 6. Your lives have always been carefree and happy, until now. Something terrible has happened! Sometime during the night, Theodore Rosy-Felt the Stuffed Bear has disappeared. He isn’t in the toy chest, he isn’t on the bed, and he isn’t on the shelf or behind the door.
Solving the Mystery
Something must have happened to him, and everyone suspects that there is foul play involved. Little Alicia went downstairs to watch cartoons without noticing that Theodore was gone, but when she comes back up she’s sure to realize he’s missing, and she’s going to be heartbroken. The guests need to find out what happened to Theodore before Alicia gets back!
There are 8 primary characters in this game. Read the "How to Play" section for instructions on how to play this game with more than 8 people.
* = Optional character
- Barbara the Glamour Doll: Barbara is a stylish, snobbish beauty queen of a doll, with little use for other toys.
- Mr. Nurfles the Stuffed Snuggle Bunny: Mr. Nurfles is a tenderhearted, good natured, lovable stuffed animal, but he is none too bright.
- Action Joe the Army Doll: Action Joe is a tough-as-nails action figure, rugged, competent, and quick to action.
- Biscuits the Adorable Patchwork Puppy: Biscuits is a scruffy, huggable toy dog, whose patchwork exterior hides a keen mind.
- Rudy the Antique Rocking Horse: The oldest of Alicia's toys, Rudy is a genuine antique with a kind and quiet demeanor.
- Judith the Puppet Princess: A finely crafted puppet, Judith is perhaps the most sophisticated and suave of all the toys.
- Jacqueline the Jack-in-the-Box: Perpetually excited and enthusiastic, Jacqueline is a loud-mouthed toy who delights in randomness and chaos.
- Baby Sleeps-a-Lot the Super-Realistic Baby Doll: Nearly the polar opposite of Jacqueline, Baby Sleeps-a-Lot is definitely the most laid back and relaxed of all Alicia's toys.
Extra Players
- *Investigator: If you have more than 8 players, additional players have the option of playing the role of "Investigators". In this role the players are not suspects and do not have character backgrounds but can question the suspects and try to solve the mystery along with the other players.
What's Included
This game kit includes: Hosting guide - Guidebook that takes you through all the steps for running the game Character sheets - Information sheets for eight unique characters and one generic "Investigator" character Name cards - Printable name cards that can be placed in front of players for in-person games (optional) Introductory Handout - A brief description of the game that can be sent to your guests ahead of the event (optional) Invitation template - Printable template that can be used to send paper invitations to your guests (optional)Our line of 30 Minute Mysteries is specially designed for fast setup and easy play, whether your playing in-person or virtually over video chat.
All you need to do is:
- Gather a group of players
- Distribute character sheets
- Follow the party guide instructions
If you’re playing in person, you have the option of printing out the hosting script and character sheets, or you and your guests may view them on your electronic devices.
Best of all, the party facilitator can choose whether they join in the game and solve the mystery along with the other guests!
Playing the Game
While this mystery has 8 primary characters, it is designed to accommodate any number of additional players. See the “Expanded Game for Large Groups” section below if you have more than 8 players.
Each of the players will be assigned a character and given a character sheet that explains who or what their character is, what information their character knows, and how their character should respond to events that occur during the game.
The game will progress in rounds.
Round One will start with the party’s host or hostess reading a script that explains the nature of the mystery that is afoot. After the introduction is read, each player at the table will share a piece of information from their character sheet, which will often be met by a response from another player.
Round Two begins with the host sharing a clue that should shed further light on the mystery. After the clue is revealed, the players will once again go around, providing another piece of information.
Round Three, the final round, begins with the host sharing the last clue. The players then go around the table a final time, sharing their last piece of information.
By this point, the players should have enough information to piece together a theory about who was responsible for the crime. Everyone will vote for the culprit, which the host will then reveal. Any player or couple who correctly guessed the identity of the killer is declared a winner.
From start to finish, the game typically requires half an hour to complete.
What Do I Need in Order to Play?
Our 30 Minute Mysteries are specifically designed to not require very much in the way of supplies. All you need is:
- Playing area
- In-person – Table to sit around or large playing area where the guests can sit in a circle
- Virtual – Video chat room (links to 3rd-party providers like Zoom included in game)
- A group of players (minimum 8 people)
- Access to a printer or electronic device (so you can distribute game materials)
Expanded Game For Large Groups
If you have more than 8 players, there are three ways that you can accommodate everyone:
- Investigator Role – Using this method, eight guests play the primary characters while the remainder of the guests each play the Investigator role. Players in this role are not suspects and do not have character backgrounds but can question the suspects and try to solve the mystery along with the other players.
- Teams – Each primary character can be played by 2 or more people that work together as a team. This works well if you’ve invited several couples to your event, but also works if you break up your guests into eight larger teams of 3 or more guests.
- Multiple Groups – If you have 16 or more guests, you can break them up into groups of 8 players and run multiple instances of the game on their own. This method is best for large events (e.g. fundraisers) where each table of people can play through the game independently. This method goes well with the Investigator method, which allows you the flexibility to add more than 8 people to any group.
Both the standard and expanded games are included with the purchase of any game kit.
Best game that we played at our family Halloween party –
Headline Best game that we played at our family Halloween p
Nickname Best game that we played at our family Halloween party
We had a Halloween party for kids and families. The game was definitely a hit. We Had age 5 up to age 70. We played in teams and it was definitely a lot of fun for everyone. I would definitely recommend this game
Sarah –
Headline Loved it!
Nickname Sarah
Used as virtual game for work and everyone loved it!
Shoe String Players –
Headline We made mistakes and laughed our way through it!
Nickname Shoe String Players
A group of 8 seniors performed on Zoom
We laughed our way through it
NOW…we are ready to order another one, which we will perform for others
Shoe String Players –
Headline We made mistakes and laughed our way through it!
Nickname Shoe String Players
Theme Highlights By using makeup, props and accessories
9 seniors did a zoom mystery party…the Toy Chest Trauma
Once we got going, we developed a rhythm and had a lot of laughs
We are now ready to do our next one outside for other seniors to watch and listen
Morgan –
Headline Great Success!
Nickname Morgan
We did this over zoom and it was a great success! The kids had so much fun! We had volunteers dress up as the characters and the kids (since they were younger) were all the investigators! It was wonderful, highly recommended
Girl Scout Troop 31313 –
Headline Toy Chest Trauma left not trauma!
Nickname Girl Scout Troop 31313
Menu Highlights We kept it simple with hot dogs, chips, lemonade, and brownies.
Theme Highlights Our flyer invited guests to Solve a Mystery at the Mother-Daughter Mystery Party. We provided mini magnifying glasses as a SWAP and a patch with toys in a toy chest along with a simple lunch. The troop enjoyed acting their parts.
My Girl Scout Troop used the Toy Chest Trauma as the entertainment for a Mother-Daughter event. It was a big hit with girls ranging from 5 years to 13 years old. The girls dressed up like a toy. We had a stage with a bedroom scene and props. We posted a board about fingerprints where guests could analyze their prints. Girls could make pictures with their own fingerprints. The tables had toys for the centerpieces. Some of our attendants guest why Theodore Rosy-Felt the Stuffed Bear disappeared. They were very intrigued. Everyone had a blast!
Brent Highfil –
Headline Trauma in the Toy Shop
Nickname Brent Highfil
Video Clayton
I used this at our children’s CHRISTmas party at church. The prep was very little and the kids and adults had a wonderful time. It lasted 35 minutes and then kids were ready for another mystery – they loved it
Tammi –
Headline 30th Birthday Surprise Party
Nickname Tammi
Video Crooksville
We had a mix of ages with lots of young ones. We chose this party so they could participate. Everyone had fun. We hope to do another mystery party in the future!
Jamie M. F. –
Headline Teddy Train Trauma
Nickname Jamie M. F.
For my son’s 7th birthday we ordered this game. We rented a 4 carriage train with a dining car and invited all his friends, their siblings, and parents. We created portfolio files for all characters and our detectives so they could feel "official", make notes, review suspects. We printed the clues on 4×6 photos and handed them out to each person when the time came. We printed each player’s lines on colored index cards that corresponded with each round. This helped them focus on just their role. We also allowed some character descriptions to be read as introductions and other parts to be secret characteristics that only that character and 1 or 2 other players would know. Allowing our investigators some ‘inside knowledge’ they gained from interviews (not done during the game).
In the end, they all had fun, parents, teenage siblings, the 7-year-olds all got into character and had a ton of fun playing off each other. They cast their vote on the culprit and then the winners all received a teddy bear award.
Mom w/ 10-year old –
Headline Fun with Mystery Dinner
Nickname Mom w/ 10-year old
We used this script (non-murder) with a group of 10-year old girls and they had a blast.
We didn’t tell them their characters in advance and just had a toy at each person’s place with their background and script instructions in a folder.
Instead of announcing the culprit at the end, we had each person go to a separate room and provide a video on who they thought did the crime. We replayed the info with the group and the culprit made a video confession. Hilarious!
Paul Blaisdell –
Headline Toy Chest Trauma
Nickname Paul Blaisdell
Torrance Moose Lodge #785, Murder Mystery Function.
We had all characters dress for their part and perform their individual parts through each round.
The characters not only dressed for the occasion but did very well acting out their Characters.
We had a group of 70 in the Audience as Investigators, very few actually guessed correctly. This was our 5th Murder Mystery and was told by members that this was one of the best.
Kyle Test –
Headline Party test
Nickname Kyle Test
recap party
David –
Headline Crazy cast having a lot of fun!
Nickname David
We took this mystery to a combined event with friends. They didn’t know we were doing this, but everyone played along and it was so fun! They really got into the character roles which we predetermined. Only one investigator and one character identified the culprit. Definitely an enjoyable experience!
Cathy Ballou –
Headline This is not a review...yet!
Nickname Cathy Ballou
Hi. I received an email asking for a review. We have not had the party yet. This will be for a Christmas Party at an organization called Turnstone in Ft. Wayne, IN. I turned the information you provided into a play with the characters lines based on the character synopsis and the talking points. I think it turned out pretty well. It won’t be preformed until Christmas. I work in an Adult Day Setting and there are 8-9 staff who will play a character. We will put the play on for our clients. So if I remember I will be happy to give you a review once we have done the play. I do the programming for the ADS for each month. I like to work ahead. I make the costumes (nothing elaborate). We don’t rehearse….we can also adlib. Hopefully it will be fun!
Emily –
Headline The party was a blast!
Nickname Emily
Everyone really took their roles very seriously, many dressing up as the various toys. Everyone guessed who the real culprit was, but thought it was too obvious so during their final guesses, no one guessed the real one! I will definitely be using these again. Many thanks!!!