🔎 Missing cupcake , maldivesGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Maldives Cupcake Mystery
Oh no! The mega pink mango cupcake has vanished from the beach bakery! The Maldives sand is warm, but our mystery is cold. Can you help find the sneaky thief?
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 | Island Tool | Salty Snack | Handedness | Sun Hat | Fears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatima | Swim Flippers | Dried Mango | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Aishah | Swim Flippers | Dried Mango | Right Handed | Blue Straw Hat | Frightened by Crabs |
| Hassan | Snorkel Mask | Sweet Papaya | Right Handed | Blue Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Sandy | Swim Flippers | Sweet Papaya | Right Handed | Yellow Straw Hat | Scared of Waves |
| Kai | Beach Umbrella | Banana Chips | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Mariyam | Coconut Launcher | Sweet Papaya | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Scared of Waves |
| Leo | Sandy Shovel | Banana Chips | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Kaya | Beach Umbrella | Sweet Papaya | Left Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Coco | Snorkel Mask | Banana Chips | Left Handed | Red Straw Hat | Scared of Waves |
| Sana | Coconut Launcher | Banana Chips | Left Handed | Yellow Straw Hat | Frightened by Crabs |
| Zayan | Swim Flippers | Banana Chips | Left Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Toby | Coconut Launcher | Banana Chips | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Scared of Waves |
| Coral | Sandy Shovel | Melon Slice | Left Handed | Blue Straw Hat | Frightened by Crabs |
| Maya | Sandy Shovel | Sweet Papaya | Left Handed | Red Straw Hat | Frightened by Crabs |
| Wade | Coconut Launcher | Banana Chips | Left Handed | Blue Straw Hat | Frightened by Crabs |
| Marina | Coconut Launcher | Coconut Water | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Ali | Coconut Launcher | Melon Slice | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Frightened by Crabs |
| Sunny | Snorkel Mask | Melon Slice | Left Handed | Blue Straw Hat | Scared of Waves |
| Reef | Snorkel Mask | Melon Slice | Right Handed | Red Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Ibrahim | Coconut Launcher | Banana Chips | Right Handed | Blue Straw Hat | Afraid of Seagulls |
| Yusuf | Swim Flippers | Melon Slice | Right Handed | Yellow Straw Hat | Scared of Waves |
Clue 1
Addition
We find footprints on the sandy path. Let us count the extra shells we see and add them up to find 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
9
12
10
T
9
12
16
10
15
20
17
10
14
6
17
T
9
20
7
16
6
13
5
17
5
17
6
18
T
9
19
4
T
9
10
7
4 + 5 =T
4 + 8 =H
9 + 11 =D
1 + 3 =A
2 + 5 =R
8 + 10 =U
11 + 6 =O
4 + 2 =N
3 + 7 =E
8 + 6 =S
4 + 9 =K
1 + 4 =C
4 + 12 =I
4 + 11 =F
10 + 9 =W
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
The thief dropped some beach towels. We take away the dirty ones to find our next 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
17
19
2
12
4
12
14
2
8
T
17
7
18
1
T
17
2
12
7
1
T
17
19
T
17
19
2
1
18
18
1
13
19
T
17
19
15
10
16
19 - 2 =T
20 - 1 =H
2 - 1 =I
14 - 1 =G
17 - 9 =C
10 - 3 =W
15 - 5 =N
17 - 3 =P
7 - 3 =U
18 - 3 =A
18 - 2 =D
20 - 2 =R
4 - 2 =E
17 - 5 =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
A friendly resort parrot squawks a word puzzle to us. Listen closely to solve the mystery!
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
A
33
19
35
A
33
23
14
25
19
31
E
A
33
G
U
L
L
31
Lifeguard found 2 cupcake wrapper yesterday and 31 more today. How many cupcake wrapper in all?A
Lifeguard found 8 starfish yesterday and 27 more today. How many starfish in all?R
Lifeguard found 16 cupcake wrapper yesterday and 7 more today. How many cupcake wrapper in all?I
Lifeguard found 8 seashell yesterday and 23 more today. How many seashell in all?S
Lifeguard found 5 coconut yesterday and 14 more today. How many coconut in all?F
Lifeguard found 14 starfish yesterday and 11 more today. How many starfish in all?O
Lifeguard lined up 7 rows of 2 cupcake wrapper. How many cupcake wrapper in all?D
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
We see rows of coconuts lined up on the sand. We can skip count by twos to get closer to the thief!
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
25
27
33
55
21
6
130
36
35
10
100
90
39
50
10
27
130
20
50
10
36
W
25
39
36
50
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45B
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33E
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65O
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14R
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27U
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110G
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39F
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, ___, 60, 70T
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We have six beach chairs but we need ten. Find how many are missing 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
2 + ___ = 14
2 + ___ = 5
10 + ___ = 19
9 + ___ = 11
1 + ___ = 8
6 + ___ = 14
4 + ___ = 15
7 + ___ = 12
6 + ___ = 7
9 + ___ = 13
4 + ___ = 14
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain blasts a pile of messy sand with a coconut launcher, then sips refreshing sweet coconut water.
2.The villain blocks the hot tropical sun with a beach umbrella, then chews on sticky dried mango pieces.
3.The villain splashes across the resort pool wearing swim flippers, then chews on sticky dried mango pieces.
4.The villain blasts a pile of messy sand with a coconut launcher, then nibbles on a ripe orange sweet papaya.
5.The villain dives deep under the blue lagoon water with a snorkel mask, then sips refreshing sweet coconut water.
6.The villain blocks the hot tropical sun with a beach umbrella, then crunches loudly on some banana chips.
7.The villain blocks the hot tropical sun with a beach umbrella, then nibbles on a ripe orange sweet papaya.
8.The villain blasts a pile of messy sand with a coconut launcher, then crunches loudly on some banana chips.
9.The villain dives deep under the blue lagoon water with a snorkel mask, then munchers on a juicy pink melon slice.
10.The villain splashes across the resort pool wearing swim flippers, then sips refreshing sweet coconut water.
11.The villain blocks the hot tropical sun with a beach umbrella, then sips refreshing sweet coconut water.
12.The villain digs a big hole on the beach with a sandy shovel, then crunches loudly on some banana chips.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Maldives Cupcake Mystery
Culprit: Kai (Beach Umbrella · Banana Chips · Right Handed · Red Straw Hat · Afraid of Seagulls)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE THIEF DOES NOT DRINK COCONUT WATER"4 + 5 = 9 (T) · 4 + 8 = 12 (H) · 9 + 11 = 20 (D) · 1 + 3 = 4 (A) · 2 + 5 = 7 (R) · 8 + 10 = 18 (U) · 11 + 6 = 17 (O) · 4 + 2 = 6 (N) · 3 + 7 = 10 (E) · 8 + 6 = 14 (S) · 4 + 9 = 13 (K) · 1 + 4 = 5 (C) · 4 + 12 = 16 (I) · 4 + 11 = 15 (F) · 10 + 9 = 19 (W)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE SUSPECT WRITES WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND"19 - 2 = 17 (T) · 20 - 1 = 19 (H) · 2 - 1 = 1 (I) · 14 - 1 = 13 (G) · 17 - 9 = 8 (C) · 10 - 3 = 7 (W) · 15 - 5 = 10 (N) · 17 - 3 = 14 (P) · 7 - 3 = 4 (U) · 18 - 3 = 15 (A) · 18 - 2 = 16 (D) · 20 - 2 = 18 (R) · 4 - 2 = 2 (E) · 17 - 5 = 12 (S)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "AFRAID OF SEAGULLS"Lifeguard found 2 cupcake wrapper yesterday and 31 more today. How many cupcake wrapper in all? = 33 (A) · Lifeguard found 8 starfish yesterday and 27 more today. How many starfish in all? = 35 (R) · Lifeguard found 16 cupcake wrapper yesterday and 7 more today. How many cupcake wrapper in all? = 23 (I) · Lifeguard found 8 seashell yesterday and 23 more today. How many seashell in all? = 31 (S) · Lifeguard found 5 coconut yesterday and 14 more today. How many coconut in all? = 19 (F) · Lifeguard found 14 starfish yesterday and 11 more today. How many starfish in all? = 25 (O) · Lifeguard lined up 7 rows of 2 cupcake wrapper. How many cupcake wrapper in all? = 14 (D)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND A BRIGHT RED STRAW HAT"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (B) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (E) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (O) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (R) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (U) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (G) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (F) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30 = 20 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, ___, 60, 70 = 50 (T)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 6) → Kai2 + ___ = 14 = 12 · 2 + ___ = 5 = 3 · 10 + ___ = 19 = 9 · 9 + ___ = 11 = 2 · 1 + ___ = 8 = 7 · 6 + ___ = 14 = 8 · 4 + ___ = 15 = 11 · 7 + ___ = 12 = 5 · 6 + ___ = 7 = 1 · 9 + ___ = 13 = 4 · 4 + ___ = 14 = 10
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 Maldives Cupcake Mystery — set in Coconut Cove Resort
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects