🔎 Missing cupcakes, schoolGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Great Bake Sale Mystery
The big school bake sale is today! But oh no, the sweet treats are vanishing from the kitchen. We must find the Cupcake Burglar before recess!
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 | Cupcake Stealing Move | Secret School Skill | Sneaker Color | Messy Cupcake Hair | Burglar Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy | super quick box stacking | silent shoe squeaking | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Nurse Nancy | mega sprinkle tossing | hall pass forging | wears red sneakers | pink frosting in curls | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Mr Higgins | mega sprinkle tossing | silent shoe squeaking | wears blue sneakers | yellow crumbs in bangs | afraid of loud school bells |
| Mrs Gable | giant tray balancing | locker lock picking | wears blue sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Susie | mega sprinkle tossing | backpack camouflage | wears blue sneakers | yellow crumbs in bangs | afraid of loud school bells |
| Principal Pete | giant tray balancing | hall pass forging | wears red sneakers | pink frosting in curls | allergic to glitter |
| Miss Patty | mega sprinkle tossing | eraser dust blowing | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | afraid of loud school bells |
| Sally | high speed frosting licking | silent shoe squeaking | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | afraid of loud school bells |
| Freddy | giant tray balancing | eraser dust blowing | wears blue sneakers | pink frosting in curls | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Billy | high speed frosting licking | eraser dust blowing | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Teddy | super silent tiptoeing | locker lock picking | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Bobby | super quick box stacking | backpack camouflage | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Lily | super silent tiptoeing | eraser dust blowing | wears blue sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Jenny | high speed frosting licking | backpack camouflage | wears blue sneakers | yellow crumbs in bangs | afraid of loud school bells |
| Ricky | super silent tiptoeing | locker lock picking | wears blue sneakers | pink frosting in curls | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Penny | high speed frosting licking | hall pass forging | wears blue sneakers | yellow crumbs in bangs | allergic to glitter |
| Wendy | high speed frosting licking | backpack camouflage | wears blue sneakers | yellow crumbs in bangs | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Vicky | super silent tiptoeing | backpack camouflage | wears red sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | stops to pet the class bunny |
| Coach Cal | super quick box stacking | backpack camouflage | wears blue sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | afraid of loud school bells |
| Cindy | high speed frosting licking | silent shoe squeaking | wears blue sneakers | rainbow sprinkles in spikes | afraid of loud school bells |
| Tommy | super quick box stacking | eraser dust blowing | wears red sneakers | yellow crumbs in bangs | stops to pet the class bunny |
Clue 1
Addition
The baker adds the chocolate chips to the vanilla cups. Count them all up to unlock the first 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.
T
12
15
13
6
10
13
17
5
20
4
13
6
10
4
T
12
14
19
4
9
13
11
17
6
13
11
20
16
6
T
12
6 + 6 =T
1 + 5 =S
7 + 13 =D
6 + 4 =N
5 + 11 =U
1 + 4 =K
7 + 8 =H
11 + 6 =A
9 + 4 =E
3 + 1 =O
2 + 7 =W
6 + 5 =R
8 + 6 =B
8 + 11 =L
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Someone took some cupcakes from the cooling tray. Subtract the eaten ones to see what is 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
11
10
19
T
11
10
18
19
5
12
19
5
T
11
3
19
13
2
1
19
7
4
19
3
15
3
18
1
T
11
2
17 - 6 =T
14 - 1 =D
20 - 8 =L
16 - 1 =P
20 - 2 =I
13 - 3 =H
5 - 3 =S
20 - 1 =E
9 - 2 =A
13 - 9 =K
13 - 8 =F
7 - 4 =R
2 - 1 =N
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
A student writes a word puzzle about the missing sweets. Solve it to find a clue about their weakness.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
S
13
25
23
14
S
13
25
23
14
8
25
25
6
8
10
L
A
S
13
S
13
B
U
N
N
Y
Helper found 11 paper liners yesterday and 2 more today. How many paper liners in all?S
There were 10 cupcakes. 4 were used up. How many cupcakes are left?H
Helper found 3 cupcakes yesterday and 22 more today. How many cupcakes in all?T
There were 12 cupcakes. 2 were used up. How many cupcakes are left?C
Helper lined up 2 rows of 7 paper liners. How many paper liners in all?P
Helper lined up 2 rows of 4 cupcakes. How many cupcakes in all?E
There were 30 paper liners. 7 were used up. How many paper liners are left?O
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
Count the boxes of frosting by fives. Skip count to find the clue hidden on the hair chart.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
20
6
10
35
14
26
16
80
8
25
26
12
35
W
20
70
40
80
25
26
110
140
6
70
25
26
70
40
25
110
6
70
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24W
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14F
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130K
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18U
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45O
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50P
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16B
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10E
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90S
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160L
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We need twelve plates but only have eight. Find the missing number to get the final clue.
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
8 + ___ = 19
7 + ___ = 13
6 + ___ = 16
4 + ___ = 5
5 + ___ = 9
1 + ___ = 3
3 + ___ = 11
1 + ___ = 4
3 + ___ = 10
3 + ___ = 15
1 + ___ = 10
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain tiptoes past the teacher desk, then stuffs frosting bags in a bag.
2.The villain creeps into the bakery kitchen, then swipes the cherry cupcakes.
3.The villain climbs the snack cupboard, then swipes the cherry cupcakes.
4.The villain creeps into the bakery kitchen, then eats all the strawberry tops.
5.The villain sneaks into the cafeteria, then stuffs frosting bags in a bag.
6.The villain climbs the snack cupboard, then eats all the strawberry tops.
7.The villain sneaks into the cafeteria, then swipes the cherry cupcakes.
8.The villain hides behind the lunch cart, then messes up the sprinkles.
9.The villain climbs the snack cupboard, then messes up the sprinkles.
10.The villain climbs the snack cupboard, then stuffs frosting bags in a bag.
11.The villain sneaks into the cafeteria, then gargles the vanilla frosting.
12.The villain tiptoes past the teacher desk, then swipes the cherry cupcakes.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Bake Sale Mystery
Culprit: Vicky (super silent tiptoeing · backpack camouflage · wears red sneakers · rainbow sprinkles in spikes · stops to pet the class bunny)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE SNEAK DOES NOT BLOW ERASER DUST"6 + 6 = 12 (T) · 1 + 5 = 6 (S) · 7 + 13 = 20 (D) · 6 + 4 = 10 (N) · 5 + 11 = 16 (U) · 1 + 4 = 5 (K) · 7 + 8 = 15 (H) · 11 + 6 = 17 (A) · 9 + 4 = 13 (E) · 3 + 1 = 4 (O) · 2 + 7 = 9 (W) · 6 + 5 = 11 (R) · 8 + 6 = 14 (B) · 8 + 11 = 19 (L)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE THIEF LEFT RED SNEAKER PRINTS"17 - 6 = 11 (T) · 14 - 1 = 13 (D) · 20 - 8 = 12 (L) · 16 - 1 = 15 (P) · 20 - 2 = 18 (I) · 13 - 3 = 10 (H) · 5 - 3 = 2 (S) · 20 - 1 = 19 (E) · 9 - 2 = 7 (A) · 13 - 9 = 4 (K) · 13 - 8 = 5 (F) · 7 - 4 = 3 (R) · 2 - 1 = 1 (N)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "STOPS TO PET THE CLASS BUNNY"Helper found 11 paper liners yesterday and 2 more today. How many paper liners in all? = 13 (S) · There were 10 cupcakes. 4 were used up. How many cupcakes are left? = 6 (H) · Helper found 3 cupcakes yesterday and 22 more today. How many cupcakes in all? = 25 (T) · There were 12 cupcakes. 2 were used up. How many cupcakes are left? = 10 (C) · Helper lined up 2 rows of 7 paper liners. How many paper liners in all? = 14 (P) · Helper lined up 2 rows of 4 cupcakes. How many cupcakes in all? = 8 (E) · There were 30 paper liners. 7 were used up. How many paper liners are left? = 23 (O)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND RAINBOW SPRINKLES IN SPIKES"Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24 = 20 (W) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (F) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (K) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (U) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (O) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (P) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (B) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (E) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90 = 70 (S) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (L)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 5) → Vicky8 + ___ = 19 = 11 · 7 + ___ = 13 = 6 · 6 + ___ = 16 = 10 · 4 + ___ = 5 = 1 · 5 + ___ = 9 = 4 · 1 + ___ = 3 = 2 · 3 + ___ = 11 = 8 · 1 + ___ = 4 = 3 · 3 + ___ = 10 = 7 · 3 + ___ = 15 = 12 · 1 + ___ = 10 = 9
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 Great Bake Sale Mystery — set in Sunnyvale Elementary School
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects