Gangster Word Search and Mystery Puzzle Packet – Free

The Gangster Word Search and Mystery Story printable packet offers an engaging and creative activity for children. This free resource features a detective adventure set in a 1920s-style city, complete with a cookie heist, a clever riddle, and a hidden word search solution. Perfect for classrooms, libraries, or home use, the packet is available to download at the bottom of this post.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE GANGSTER WORD SEARCH MYSTERY PACKET?

This printable mystery activity includes everything needed for a complete, self-contained experience:

• A short mystery story titled The Great Cookie Caper starring Detective Dottie “Jazzboots” Jones
• A challenging riddle embedded in the storyline
• A themed word search puzzle tied directly to the plot
• A black-and-white coloring page featuring characters from the mystery
• A final solution page that reveals the answer to the riddle and wraps up the story

Children will enjoy piecing together the clues while practicing key academic and thinking skills.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO USE THIS COOKIE CAPER MYSTERY PACKET?

This packet fits well into many educational or recreational settings, including:

• Early finishers in the classroom
• 1920s-themed lessons and history units
• Indoor recess or downtime
• Homeschool enrichment activities
• Library groups or book clubs
• After-school programs and tutoring sessions

WHAT SKILLS ARE KIDS WORKING ON WITH THE GANGSTER WORD SEARCH MYSTERY PACKET?

While solving the mystery, children also build a variety of important skills:

• Literacy and reading comprehension
• Logical reasoning and problem-solving
• Critical thinking and deductive reasoning
• Visual perceptual skills
• Pencil control and fine motor development
• Story sequencing and language development

MORE FUN STUFF

For additional mystery-themed activities and printables, explore these related posts:

• Detective Puzzle
• Detective Games for Kids
• 6 Free Printable Mystery Games for Kids