🔎 Missing cupcakeGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Great Cupcake Caper
Oh no! A beautiful cupcake has vanished from the display table right before the judging! Can you help us find the cupcake snatcher?
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 | Frosting | Decorating Style | Baking Hand | Apron Color | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo | blue vanilla | candy stars | uses left hand | yellow apron | cold water |
| Zac | yellow lemon | chocolate curls | uses right hand | yellow apron | cold water |
| Otis | pink strawberry | sparkle dust | uses left hand | blue apron | sticky syrup |
| Finn | blue vanilla | rainbow sprinkles | uses left hand | red apron | spilled milk |
| Sam | green apple | sparkle dust | uses right hand | blue apron | cold water |
| Luke | purple grape | candy stars | uses right hand | yellow apron | sticky syrup |
| Zoe | green apple | sparkle dust | uses right hand | red apron | sticky syrup |
| Nora | yellow lemon | rainbow sprinkles | uses left hand | yellow apron | sticky syrup |
| Ben | blue vanilla | sparkle dust | uses left hand | red apron | cold water |
| Jax | purple grape | sparkle dust | uses right hand | yellow apron | spilled milk |
| Penny | blue vanilla | sparkle dust | uses left hand | blue apron | sticky syrup |
| Joy | purple grape | candy stars | uses left hand | red apron | spilled milk |
| Toby | yellow lemon | chocolate curls | uses left hand | blue apron | cold water |
| Max | purple grape | candy stars | uses left hand | yellow apron | sticky syrup |
| Coco | blue vanilla | candy stars | uses left hand | yellow apron | sticky syrup |
| Ruby | pink strawberry | sparkle dust | uses left hand | red apron | cold water |
| Ivy | yellow lemon | chocolate curls | uses left hand | yellow apron | spilled milk |
| Ava | purple grape | chocolate curls | uses left hand | yellow apron | sticky syrup |
| Rex | yellow lemon | cookie crumbs | uses left hand | yellow apron | sticky syrup |
| Gus | pink strawberry | rainbow sprinkles | uses left hand | red apron | cold water |
| Mia | pink strawberry | cookie crumbs | uses left hand | red apron | sticky syrup |
Clue 1
Addition
We count the pink plates and blue plates. We add them to find the 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
9
11
19
20
17
2
T
9
8
11
19
6
11
2
20
17
15
8
11
15
8
15
16
2
T
9
19
8
7
6
16
20
2 + 7 =T
5 + 12 =N
8 + 11 =E
1 + 1 =A
3 + 3 =R
12 + 8 =S
8 + 3 =H
3 + 4 =U
5 + 11 =L
6 + 2 =C
4 + 11 =O
0/11 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Some cupcakes are gone from the tray. We subtract to see how many.
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
13
17
9
2
1
18
T
13
15
17
9
16
6
2
9
19
T
13
17
9
11
16
7
9
4
T
13
17
18
1
19
15 - 2 =T
20 - 2 =A
19 - 8 =I
13 - 9 =F
2 - 1 =N
10 - 1 =E
17 - 2 =C
14 - 8 =U
9 - 2 =L
8 - 6 =S
20 - 4 =R
20 - 1 =D
18 - 1 =H
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
The baker has a story problem. Solve it to find the next clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
S
29
24
22
6
15
19
S
29
19
38
U
P
Baker Bob found 8 sprinkles yesterday and 21 more today. How many sprinkles in all?S
Baker Bob found 8 muffins yesterday and 14 more today. How many muffins in all?I
Baker Bob found 8 berries yesterday and 7 more today. How many berries in all?K
There were 44 cherries. 6 were used up. How many cherries are left?R
There were 26 sprinkles. 2 were used up. How many sprinkles are left?T
Baker Bob found 3 cherries yesterday and 3 more today. How many cherries in all?C
Baker Bob found 6 sprinkles yesterday and 13 more today. How many sprinkles in all?Y
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
We count the baking boxes by twos. This helps us find another 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.
W
42
110
65
35
27
30
24
6
9
130
110
28
70
35
30
6
21
110
40
40
35
W
42
6
130
10
35
30
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48W
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60L
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33U
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14R
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75F
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130E
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, ___, 35, 40N
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30D
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27Y
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150P
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, ___, 75, 80K
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32C
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15S
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
A box needs ten cupcakes but has only six. 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 + ___ = 15
1 + ___ = 5
8 + ___ = 14
7 + ___ = 17
9 + ___ = 17
9 + ___ = 16
8 + ___ = 19
7 + ___ = 9
3 + ___ = 6
8 + ___ = 20
9 + ___ = 14
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain swiped the vanilla cupcake, then dropped candy stars.
2.The villain stole the grape cupcake, then left chocolate curls.
3.The villain took the strawberry cupcake, then dropped candy stars.
4.The villain pinched the lemon cupcake, then scattered rainbow sprinkles.
5.The villain swiped the vanilla cupcake, then spilled cookie crumbs.
6.The villain stole the grape cupcake, then dropped candy stars.
7.The villain took the strawberry cupcake, then scattered rainbow sprinkles.
8.The villain pinched the lemon cupcake, then dropped candy stars.
9.The villain pinched the lemon cupcake, then spilled cookie crumbs.
10.The villain grabbed the apple cupcake, then scattered rainbow sprinkles.
11.The villain swiped the vanilla cupcake, then left chocolate curls.
12.The villain took the strawberry cupcake, then blew sparkle dust.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Cupcake Caper
Culprit: Coco (blue vanilla · candy stars · uses left hand · yellow apron · sticky syrup)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE SNATCHER HAS NO CHOCOLATE CURLS"2 + 7 = 9 (T) · 5 + 12 = 17 (N) · 8 + 11 = 19 (E) · 1 + 1 = 2 (A) · 3 + 3 = 6 (R) · 12 + 8 = 20 (S) · 8 + 3 = 11 (H) · 3 + 4 = 7 (U) · 5 + 11 = 16 (L) · 6 + 2 = 8 (C) · 4 + 11 = 15 (O)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE SNATCHER USED THEIR LEFT HAND"15 - 2 = 13 (T) · 20 - 2 = 18 (A) · 19 - 8 = 11 (I) · 13 - 9 = 4 (F) · 2 - 1 = 1 (N) · 10 - 1 = 9 (E) · 17 - 2 = 15 (C) · 14 - 8 = 6 (U) · 9 - 2 = 7 (L) · 8 - 6 = 2 (S) · 20 - 4 = 16 (R) · 20 - 1 = 19 (D) · 18 - 1 = 17 (H)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "STICKY SYRUP"Baker Bob found 8 sprinkles yesterday and 21 more today. How many sprinkles in all? = 29 (S) · Baker Bob found 8 muffins yesterday and 14 more today. How many muffins in all? = 22 (I) · Baker Bob found 8 berries yesterday and 7 more today. How many berries in all? = 15 (K) · There were 44 cherries. 6 were used up. How many cherries are left? = 38 (R) · There were 26 sprinkles. 2 were used up. How many sprinkles are left? = 24 (T) · Baker Bob found 3 cherries yesterday and 3 more today. How many cherries in all? = 6 (C) · Baker Bob found 6 sprinkles yesterday and 13 more today. How many sprinkles in all? = 19 (Y)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND A SPECK ON A YELLOW APRON"Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (W) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60 = 40 (L) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (U) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (R) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (F) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (E) · 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, ___, 35, 40 = 30 (N) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30 = 24 (D) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (Y) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (P) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, ___, 75, 80 = 70 (K) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (C) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (S)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 1) → Coco6 + ___ = 15 = 9 · 1 + ___ = 5 = 4 · 8 + ___ = 14 = 6 · 7 + ___ = 17 = 10 · 9 + ___ = 17 = 8 · 9 + ___ = 16 = 7 · 8 + ___ = 19 = 11 · 7 + ___ = 9 = 2 · 3 + ___ = 6 = 3 · 8 + ___ = 20 = 12 · 9 + ___ = 14 = 5
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 Cupcake Caper — set in The Sunny School Bake Sale
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects