The Party That Became an Adventure🎂

The balloons are up and the guests are on their way, but the cake has disappeared. A little note on the plate starts a hunt in which each clue leads to the next: a riddle in the letterbox, a trail of sprinkles across the lawn, a balloon caught high in a tree. One clue leads to the playhouse, another towards the neighbour’s fence.

The guests join in, and soon the party has become a full-blown expedition. Along the way, your child solves riddles about their own life, things only the birthday child could know. Who took the cake, and what the surprise at the end turns out to be, are for you to discover in the story.

This makes a lovely present to open on the morning of the big day, or a book to read aloud at the party once everyone has settled down. It works just as well for a child celebrating with the whole class as for one celebrating with a grandparent and a single friend. It’s also a good choice when friends are away during the school holidays, because the adventure doesn’t need lots of guests.

A three-year-old will enjoy the balloons, the colours and counting the candles on the cake. An eight-year-old may prefer proper riddles and can try to solve them before the page is turned.

Add your child’s new age, the kind of cake you usually have and who’s coming to the party. Up to five characters can join the story, so a best friend, a cousin and a big brother can hunt for the cake together. The dog makes an excellent prime suspect, especially with cream on its nose.

After reading, you could set up your own clue hunt at the party, with notes leading to the party bags. Let your child write or draw a riddle for the guests too. Find more ideas for the celebration under Birthday party.