Mysteries for Kids

Finding mysteries to use for instruction always seems to be a struggle. However, the following site may be of some help. Kids.mysterynet.com is a great site. ( I always seem to come back to this site when I'm working on a mystery unit. Lorie Donovan actually found it a few years ago when we were looking for some different mysteries to use with students.) The site has a Solve-It section which has short mystery stories and a Quick Solve section that has mysteries that are only about a paragraph long. After reading the mystery the reader is asked who they think did it. Students can make a selection and see if they are right. The correct answer is given with the clues used to figure it out. This can be a great way to teach the elements of a mystery without having to get into lengthy text. There is also a section entitled Mysteries by Kids. These are stories written by students for students. The stories published were the winners of the MysteryNet's Writing Contest. MysteryNet posted story starters and kids finished the mystery stories. (Students can enter the contest. Requirements are given on the site.) The site also has scary stories in the Chiller section and a Magic Trick section that teaches children how to do simple tricks. All stories and trick directions can be printed. Snoop around the site. See if you might find a mystery for the detectives in your room.