This magic math mystery is an easy-to-use game that both the teacher and student will enjoy as a fairy tale fluency activity! 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students practice addition and subtraction facts OR multiplication and division facts!
$6.00
Magic math fact mystery activities are the perfect way to build math fact fluency while keeping students excited and engaged as they practice addition and subtraction facts OR multiplication and division facts. This activity turns routine fact practice into a storyline that feels like a math escape room—without the stress of hours of teacher prep. Teachers simply print and go (or assign digitally), and students solve math clues to crack the case.
Students complete math fact worksheets that guide them through clues until the mystery is solved. Each page reinforces skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division facts while turning practice into an exciting detective-style puzzle. Whether you need a math center, a classroom transformation, or a fun small-group activity, this math mystery is ready to use for grades K–5.
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Teachers want math fact fluency practice that doesn’t feel boring or repetitive. This magic math fact mystery transforms drills into an interactive game where every problem solved brings students closer to discovering the culprit.
No prep required – just print and go
Fun storyline – solve a themed mystery
Differentiated options – easy and hard versions included
Flexible timing – 3-clue or 5-clue versions available
Digital version included – assign in Google Slides or Classroom
Introduce the Story – Tell students the premise; they can solve math clues to uncover the answer.
Complete Worksheets – Each page practices math fact fluency skills.
Cross Off Suspects – Students eliminate incorrect options from their list as they solve.
Reveal the Answer – When all clues are finished, the mystery is solved!
This simple structure turns practice into a game and motivates students to work through every clue.
The magic math fact mystery worksheets (aka math clues!) focus on:
Addition and subtraction facts to 20
Multiplication and division facts
Fact fluency practice
Error analysis
These worksheets provide meaningful, engaging fluency practice for students in grades K–5.
This resource includes multiple levels to support learners across grade levels.
Hard Version – Includes more reading, reasoning, and critical thinking.
Easy Version – Simple worksheets with minimal reading, paired with clue cards.
3-Clue and 5-Clue Versions – Adjust based on time available and student readiness.
Short on time? Use the 3-clue version. Want a longer or more challenging activity? Use the 5-clue version.
This resource includes two flexible options:
Mystery #1: Addition and Subtraction Facts
Mystery #2: Multiplication and Division Facts
Clues are interchangeable! You can swap out one clue from the addition/subtraction mystery with a multiplication/division clue to customize the experience for your students.
This fact fluency math activity is available in two formats:
Printable Worksheets (PDF) – Perfect for whole-class lessons, small groups, or math centers.
Digital Google Slides Version – Great for assigning in Google Classroom and helpful for schools with limited printing.
Both versions make implementation easy for teachers and fun for students.
There are many ways to use this math fact mystery game:
Grades K–1: Best used in whole group or teacher-led small groups, since younger students need support with reading the directions.
Grades 2–5: Perfect for partners, table groups, or independent work.
This flexibility allows teachers to use the same activity across multiple grade levels and adapt to different classroom needs.
This magic math fact mystery goes beyond drills—it turns practice into an interactive experience.
Print-and-go with no prep
Builds critical thinking and problem-solving
Keeps students engaged with a fun theme
Easy to differentiate across K–5
Aligned with math standards
Perfect for classroom transformations or everyday fluency review
This magic math fact mystery is a fun way to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts across grades K–5. With multiple versions, two mysteries included, and both print and digital formats, it’s flexible enough to fit any classroom. Students will love solving the clues to reveal the final answer, and teachers will love how quick and easy it is to use.
Make fact fluency review exciting and stress-free with this escape room style activity. Your students will feel like detectives while strengthening math skills!
Do these come with 3 clues or 5 clues?
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.
How do I use this with my students?
You can use this whole group, small group, in partners, table groups, independently, as homework, and more! Students in K–1 will need teacher support reading the directions the first few times. For grades 2–5, partners, table groups, and independent practice work well once students are familiar with the format.
Are the phonics mysteries the same as the math mysteries?
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!
Is a digital version included?
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.
What should students do if they finish early?
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.
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Planning to use this resource with more than one teacher or classroom?
Many teachers work closely with grade-level teams or teaching partners, and it’s important that resources are shared in a way that respects the creator’s rights. Each teacher who wishes to use this resource must purchase their own license through their own account. If you’d like information about grade-level licensing, feel free to contact me directly at li***********************@***il.com for details on group pricing.
Thank you for respecting the work that goes into creating these materials!
Copyright © The Lifetime Learner, INC. All rights reserved. This resource is for use by the original purchaser only. It may not be copied, shared, or distributed for use by multiple teachers, classrooms, departments, schools, or districts. Uploading this file to any shared drives or public websites is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Graphics and elements included are licensed for use within this product only and may not be used separately. For personal and single-classroom use only.
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