Math review doesn’t have to feel like worksheet overload. Imagine your class solving cases (using their number sense, place value, and add/subtract skills) to unlock clues and catch a culprit or uncover a lost treasure. That’s what kindergarten math mysteries do: they take kindergarten math standards and turn them into story-driven mysteries your students want to solve.
These mysteries work for mini lessons, math centers, early finishers, small groups, sub plans, or whole class fun. Games feel purposeful because students must apply math skills to eliminate suspects, crack passwords, and piece together clues.
Math mysteries are narrative-based challenges where students read a storyline (like a missing pet or secret code) and then solve a series of problems to earn clues that help them solve the case. It’s logic plus math. This means deeper thinking and better retention.
Instead of drilling skills in isolation, kids use what they’ve learned to investigate, analyze, and justify answers that are all wrapped in a theme that keeps engagement high.
Here’s how they’re different from typical math review:
No more boring review pages. Students feel like detectives, and you get meaningful practice that builds confidence.
If you’re new to mystery-style escape rooms, the easiest way to understand them is to try one!
This free math and reading mystery lets you see the “magic of mysteries” in action — students solve clues, eliminate options, and arrive at one final answer.
And the coolest part? The math and reading mysteries have different culprits so you can play twice (once in each subject)!
You can use kindergarten math mysteries in a bunch of ways:
No matter how you use them, students stay focused because the stories give purpose to every problem.
Each math mystery you use can focus on specific kindergarten standards — whether it’s place value, number sense, addition, or subtraction. You choose the stories that match the skill you’re teaching or reviewing.
Math mysteries don’t replace core instruction, but they reinforce what students have already learned with purposeful practice that feels like play.
The Lifetime Learner’s math mysteries are designed to make kindergarten math review engaging without adding extra prep for teachers. Each mystery turns skill practice into a problem-solving experience where students solve clues, eliminate options, and work toward a final answer. The format stays consistent so students can focus on the math, while the themes and skills keep review fresh and motivating all year long.
• Print-and-go mystery worksheets
• Digital version in Google Slides
• 3-clue version and 5-clue version for easy differentiation
• Recording sheet for students to track clues
• Clear teacher directions
• Certificate of completion
• Fast finisher directed drawing activity
Math mysteries help with:
Plus, teachers tell me these work great the week before a test because students stay focused and excited about the content instead of zoning out.
Are you ready to try a math mystery in your kindergarten class, but you’re feeling stuck when it comes to finding a theme, skill, or standard you need? To make it easy to find a math mystery that fits your curriculum, I’ve put together 30 themed kindergarten math mysteries, each aligned to specific math skills.
Use the list below to jump to the type of math practice you’re looking for, or scroll through to see all of the themes included.
Comparing and Number Relationships
Geometry and Spatial Relationships
Jump to Frequently Asked Questions
Goal: Students solve clues to discover what is inside the mystery box.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten box math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students complete a case to decipher which donut went missing at the bakery.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten donut math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students try to figure out where the treasure chest was hidden.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten pirate math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students figure out which pet their parents got for them as a surprise.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten pet math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students complete clues to find out what animal the safari jeep stumbled upon in the African savannah.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten safari math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to discover who won the big race.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten race car math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students attempt to figure out where they left their missing suitcase around the world.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten travel math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students figure out where around the school the missing trophy is hidden.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten sports math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students head into outer space to find the planet the missing astronaut went to explore.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten outer space math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to figure out where your friend is at summer camp.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten camping math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students figure out where the cotton candy is hidden in this whodunnit.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten theme park math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students figure out which creature the scuba diver saw while he was under the sea.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten ocean math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students crack the case of which dinosaur stole the dinosaur egg from the nest.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten dinosaur math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students discover where the video game final boss is hiding in the video game world.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten video game math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to figure out which fairy tale character’s house the missing princess is hiding at.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten fairy tale math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to figure out whose order is missing from the table at the restaurant.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten restaurant math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students embark on a journey of which magical creature took the magic wand.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten magic math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students figure out which instrument went missing at the rock concert.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten rock star math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students become detectives who are tracking down the zoo animal who got out at the zoo!
Click here for more information about the kindergarten zoo math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students embark on a journey to crack the case of where the mailman is around the town.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten mailman math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to figure out which student took the missing pencil.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten school-themed math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students figure out which Halloween character took the candy at the party.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten Halloween math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to figure out which dish they need to bring to Thanksgiving dinner.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten Thanksgiving math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students crack a case where they need to find out where Santa is at the North Pole.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten Christmas math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students decipher clues to find out which snowman belongs to them!
Click here for more information about the kindergarten winter math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve a case to find out which house the Valentine’s Day party is being held at.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten Valentine math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students become detectives to find where the leprechaun is hiding in the leprechaun village.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten Saint Patrick’s Day math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students solve clues to figure out where the Easter bunny is hiding on the map.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten Easter math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students complete clues that get them closer to figuring out what food the deer keeps eating out of the garden.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten spring math mystery on TPT.
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Goal: Students work through clues to uncover which kid at the beach took the missing sunglasses.
Click here for more information about the kindergarten summer math mystery on TPT.
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Both! There are 2 versions so you can use the version that works best with your class. Or, you could differentiate and use the 3 clue version with some students and the 5 clue version with other groups. Both versions lead to the same conclusion/culprit, ensuring that students will not be aware of the different leveled assignments.
You can use this whole group, small group, in partners, table groups, independently, as homework, and more! Students in K-1 will need support reading the directions the first few times they complete these mysteries. I’d suggest completing them with teacher support in whole group or small groups for K-1. For grades 2-5, partners, table groups, and independent practice is appropriate. As students become more comfortable, working in pairs and independently will become more feasible.
No—phonics and grammar mysteries are completely different! They use their own set of clues, target grammar or phonics skills, and end with a unique conclusion. The only shared piece is the starting list of suspects, but each mystery reveals a different culprit. Check out the preview to see the differences in detail—you can absolutely purchase both and enjoy solving the mystery twice!
Yes! The digital version is available in Google Slides and the link is included in the printable PDF. You can download the Google Slides to use in PowerPoint if needed as well.
A fast finisher directed drawing activity is included for students who finish early! There is also a certificate of completion for every student. You could also have students work on incomplete assignments or read a book.
Looking for an easy way to increase student engagement? You’re in the right place! On the blog, you’ll discover practical tips for how to use mysteries in your classroom and the top mystery themes for K-5.
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