🎨 Missing cupcake, student parGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Case of the Missing Cupcake
Oh no! The giant golden cupcake is missing from the prize table! The Room 2B party just started. We must find the Cupcake Snatcher before the big recess bell rings!
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Party Gear | Leftover Clue | Frosting Hand | Messy Hair | Party Fear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma | sprinkle blaster | sugar wrapper | right handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Ivy | balloon glider | frosting swirl | left handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Ruby | balloon glider | frosting swirl | left handed scoop | frosting on brown hair | party whistle |
| Henry | frosting shield | sprinkle trail | right handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | bright camera flash |
| Ella | candle flashlight | sugar wrapper | right handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | bright camera flash |
| Benny | balloon glider | sugar wrapper | left handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | party whistle |
| Finn | candle flashlight | sugar wrapper | right handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Leo | frosting shield | sprinkle trail | right handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Jack | sprinkle blaster | frosting swirl | left handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Luke | candle flashlight | sugar wrapper | left handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | squeaky balloon |
| Grace | candle flashlight | frosting swirl | left handed scoop | frosting on black hair | party whistle |
| Danny | candle flashlight | frosting swirl | right handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | bright camera flash |
| Peter | candle flashlight | sprinkle trail | left handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | squeaky balloon |
| Toby | glitter bomb | sprinkle trail | right handed scoop | frosting on black hair | party whistle |
| Mia | candle flashlight | sprinkle trail | left handed scoop | frosting on black hair | party whistle |
| Noah | frosting shield | sugar wrapper | left handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | party whistle |
| Zoe | sprinkle blaster | cookie crumb | right handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Mason | frosting shield | frosting swirl | right handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | squeaky balloon |
| Olivia | frosting shield | cookie crumb | left handed scoop | frosting on blonde hair | party whistle |
| Katie | frosting shield | sugar wrapper | right handed scoop | frosting on black hair | bright camera flash |
| Quinn | sprinkle blaster | cookie crumb | right handed scoop | frosting on brown hair | squeaky balloon |
Clue 1
Addition
We count the juice boxes on the table to see how many kids are here.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
7
20
18
9
5
13
T
7
12
20
18
19
20
13
9
5
16
12
16
16
6
4
18
12
19
11
14
15
9
2 + 5 =T
5 + 10 =B
4 + 12 =O
5 + 1 =K
6 + 13 =R
2 + 2 =I
11 + 7 =E
7 + 4 =U
5 + 4 =S
9 + 5 =M
6 + 7 =A
7 + 13 =H
4 + 1 =N
4 + 8 =C
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Some party hats went missing from the box. Let us subtract to find how many are left.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
10
18
3
6
15
19
T
10
11
18
3
13
9
6
3
14
19
13
7
12
18
T
10
18
19
15
14
3
14
6
11
2
2
4
17 - 7 =T
18 - 9 =U
13 - 7 =S
5 - 3 =O
10 - 3 =I
20 - 2 =H
15 - 1 =D
15 - 4 =C
20 - 1 =A
5 - 2 =E
17 - 2 =N
14 - 2 =G
12 - 8 =P
16 - 3 =R
0/14 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
We solve a word problem about the party balloons to get our next big hint.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
B
21
18
12
30
17
32
40
A
M
E
18
A
F
L
A
S
17
There were 29 napkins. 8 were used up. How many napkins are left?B
There were 35 juice boxes. 5 were used up. How many juice boxes are left?G
Timmy the Helper lined up 8 rows of 4 juice boxes. How many juice boxes in all?T
There were 21 juice boxes. 9 were used up. How many juice boxes are left?I
Timmy the Helper lined up 2 rows of 9 party cups. How many party cups in all?R
Timmy the Helper found 12 balloons yesterday and 5 more today. How many balloons in all?H
Timmy the Helper lined up 10 rows of 4 napkins. How many napkins in all?C
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
We skip count the rows of paper plates on the counter to find a clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
F
36
55
26
40
80
27
33
40
14
F
36
8
55
20
12
33
40
70
55
40
28
10
16
45
14
50
16
33
8
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42F
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90G
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30U
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24S
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55C
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, ___, 60, 70H
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18K
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32B
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20A
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We have some napkins but we need more for the whole class. Let us find the missing number.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
6 + ___ = 7
2 + ___ = 8
1 + ___ = 13
7 + ___ = 14
1 + ___ = 5
10 + ___ = 12
2 + ___ = 11
2 + ___ = 10
6 + ___ = 11
9 + ___ = 12
2 + ___ = 13
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain holds up the frosting shield, then leaves a sprinkle trail.
2.The villain shines the candle flashlight, then drops a cherry topper.
3.The villain holds up the frosting shield, then drops a cherry topper.
4.The villain throws a glitter bomb, then leaves a sprinkle trail.
5.The villain shines the candle flashlight, then leaves a sprinkle trail.
6.The villain sprays the sprinkle blaster, then leaves a sugar wrapper.
7.The villain throws a glitter bomb, then makes a frosting swirl.
8.The villain shines the candle flashlight, then makes a frosting swirl.
9.The villain holds up the frosting shield, then drops a cookie crumb.
10.The villain holds up the frosting shield, then leaves a sugar wrapper.
11.The villain sprays the sprinkle blaster, then drops a cherry topper.
12.The villain shines the candle flashlight, then leaves a sugar wrapper.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Cupcake
Culprit: Katie (frosting shield · sugar wrapper · right handed scoop · frosting on black hair · bright camera flash)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE SNATCHER HAS NO COOKIE CRUMBS"2 + 5 = 7 (T) · 5 + 10 = 15 (B) · 4 + 12 = 16 (O) · 5 + 1 = 6 (K) · 6 + 13 = 19 (R) · 2 + 2 = 4 (I) · 11 + 7 = 18 (E) · 7 + 4 = 11 (U) · 5 + 4 = 9 (S) · 9 + 5 = 14 (M) · 6 + 7 = 13 (A) · 7 + 13 = 20 (H) · 4 + 1 = 5 (N) · 4 + 8 = 12 (C)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE SNATCHER USED A RIGHT HANDED SCOOP"17 - 7 = 10 (T) · 18 - 9 = 9 (U) · 13 - 7 = 6 (S) · 5 - 3 = 2 (O) · 10 - 3 = 7 (I) · 20 - 2 = 18 (H) · 15 - 1 = 14 (D) · 15 - 4 = 11 (C) · 20 - 1 = 19 (A) · 5 - 2 = 3 (E) · 17 - 2 = 15 (N) · 14 - 2 = 12 (G) · 12 - 8 = 4 (P) · 16 - 3 = 13 (R)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "BRIGHT CAMERA FLASH"There were 29 napkins. 8 were used up. How many napkins are left? = 21 (B) · There were 35 juice boxes. 5 were used up. How many juice boxes are left? = 30 (G) · Timmy the Helper lined up 8 rows of 4 juice boxes. How many juice boxes in all? = 32 (T) · There were 21 juice boxes. 9 were used up. How many juice boxes are left? = 12 (I) · Timmy the Helper lined up 2 rows of 9 party cups. How many party cups in all? = 18 (R) · Timmy the Helper found 12 balloons yesterday and 5 more today. How many balloons in all? = 17 (H) · Timmy the Helper lined up 10 rows of 4 napkins. How many napkins in all? = 40 (C)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "FOUND PINK FROSTING ON BLACK HAIR"Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (F) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90 = 70 (G) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (U) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24 = 20 (S) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (C) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, ___, 60, 70 = 50 (H) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (K) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (B) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (A)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 10) → Katie6 + ___ = 7 = 1 · 2 + ___ = 8 = 6 · 1 + ___ = 13 = 12 · 7 + ___ = 14 = 7 · 1 + ___ = 5 = 4 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2 · 2 + ___ = 11 = 9 · 2 + ___ = 10 = 8 · 6 + ___ = 11 = 5 · 9 + ___ = 12 = 3 · 2 + ___ = 13 = 11
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Word problems, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Cupcake — set in Room 2B Classroom Party
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects