Questions
Frequently asked questions
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Choosing a case
What ages are the cases for?
Our cases are written for kids roughly 7 to 13. Each case lists its own age range and difficulty: Starter cases use tap-to-answer missions and plain words, while Intermediate cases expect confident reading and typed answers.
My child is a reluctant reader. Will this work?
Often, yes. Start with a Starter case: missions are short, answers are tapped, and the physical evidence gives kids something to do with their hands between reading. A grown-up reading partner helps a lot in the first week.
Can siblings or friends play together?
Yes. One kit comes with one detective login and plays well with two or three kids working together. If each child wants their own progress, order a kit per child.
Are the cases scary?
No. Our mysteries are about thefts, secrets and puzzles, never violence. Nobody gets hurt, and the tone is curious rather than spooky.
Ordering & shipping
What do I get when I order?
The complete case: every box and envelope for that story, the case portal for one detective login, and your parent view. You pay once for the whole case.
When do the boxes arrive?
Box 1 ships soon after you order. Each later box or envelope is triggered by your detective's progress in the portal, so it arrives when they're ready for it rather than on a fixed date.
Where do you ship?
See our shipping and returns page for current destinations, carriers and delivery times.
A box hasn't arrived. What should I do?
Check the shipment status in your parent view first. If a box looks lost or arrived damaged, contact us with your order number and we'll sort it out.
Playing the case
How long does a case take?
About eight to ten weeks at a relaxed pace of two or three short sessions a week. Nothing runs on a timer, so your detective can go faster or slower.
What happens if my detective gets stuck?
When a report isn't right, the portal explains what to look at again. In-story help is available in the portal, and your parent view has a ladder of hints plus the full solution.
Can they lose progress?
No. Progress is saved to the detective's login as they go. Keep the credential card somewhere safe; if it goes missing, contact us and we'll help.
Do we need anything that isn't in the box?
A device with a web browser, a pencil and paper. Some cases include a hands-on activity that uses a few common household items; we tell you well in advance.
The portal & tech
What devices does the portal work on?
Any modern web browser on a computer, tablet or phone. There's no app to install. A tablet or laptop is the most comfortable for longer documents.
Does my child need an email address?
No. Detectives sign in with the badge number and access code on their credential card. Only the grown-up who orders needs an email address.
How do I see my child's progress?
Sign in to your account and open your cases. The parent view shows the current week, hints, the solution and shipment status.
Safety & privacy
What information do you collect from my child?
No personal information. Detectives pick a codename from a list and sign in with a pre-printed credential. We store their game progress (logged clues and report answers) only to run the case and show it to you.
Can my child talk to other players?
No. There is no chat, messaging or social feature in the case portals, and no advertising.
Can I delete my child's data?
Yes. Contact us and we'll delete the detective's progress, or your whole account, on request.
Gifts & groups
Can I send a case as a gift?
Yes. Mark the order as a gift at checkout, enter the recipient's address and add a message. Box 1 ships to them, and later deliveries follow their progress.
Do you offer classroom or party sets?
We do. Tell us about your group on the schools and groups page and we'll put together a quote.
Still have a question?
Write to us and a real person will reply by email.