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2. Big Detectives
A die game for 3 - 5 big detectives who already know the alphabet.
The game is played in the same way as “Little Detectives”, except for the
following changes. The secret witness doesn’t immediately draw a card
from the pile, but rolls the die first.
What appears on the die?
• ABC
The secret witness chooses any object, person or animal shown on the
game board.
Then they say: “the searched for motif starts with the letter …”
Now the players simultaneously search for a motif starting with that
letter and place their magnifying glass on it.
If no detective has placed their magnifying glass correctly, the secret
witness says the second letter and a new round starts.
• Eye
The secret witness chooses any object, animal or person shown on the
game board and gives a clue.
The detectives place their magnifying glasses. If no player has placed
the magnifying glass right, the witness gives a further clue.
• Card
As in the game “Little Detectives” the secret witness takes a card from
the top of the pile and gives the first clue. The detectives place their
magnifying glasses.
If nobody has placed their magnifying glass correctly, the witness gives
a further clue.
If a player has placed their magnifying glass right, they get a decoration
and become the new secret witness. They roll the die and a new round
starts.
Important! If you choose a motif that is shown several times on the
game board (E.G. the pear) the first one to place their magnifying glass
on one, gets the decoration.
Who has collected their fourth decoration first?
You are the sharpest detective of all times.
Suggestion: This game idea can be combined with the hour-glass varia-
tion (refer to “Little Detectives”).
preparation and pro-
cedure as for “Little
Detectives”,
additional: secret
witness rolls die
choose motif, name
first letter
no magnifying glass
right = next letter
choose motif and
give clue
draw card and give
clue
right = decoration
fourth decoration =
game won and
finished
ENGLISH
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Important: You can also give other types of clues. The secret witness
decides what kind of clue they want to give. Try not to make the first
clues too easy as the more imaginative the clues are, the more exciting
the game becomes.
The detectives
Once given a clue, all the detectives simultaneously search on the game
board for what corresponds with it.
As soon as a detective thinks they have discovered the right illustration
on the game board they quickly place their magnifying glass on it.
• The magnifying glass is on the right spot.
The secret witness immediately shouts “Nabbed!”
As a reward the owner of the magnifying glass gets a decoration.
• The magnifying glass is on the wrong spot
Pity, but even good detectives are sometimes wrong. Take the mag-
nifying glass back and put it in front of you. The other detectives go on
searching and put their magnifying glasses on the game board.
If all detectives have placed their magnifying glass and nobody was
right, a new guessing round starts.
The secret witness gives the next clue and the detectives place their
magnifying glasses.
A New Round Starts
If the magnifying glass has been placed correctly, a new round starts. The
detective who just got the decoration becomes the new secret witness.
They take the card on top of the pile and give the first clue.
End of the Game
As soon as a detective has collected four decorations, the game ends.
They win and are named best junior detective.
The Hour-glass Variation:
The hour-glass enhances the speed of the game and avoids lengthy
decisions. The same rules apply as in “Little detectives”.
When there is only one player left who has not placed their magnifying
glass, the hour-glass is turned round. The player has to place their mag-
nifying glass before the time has run out. If they need more time, their
turn is over.
Whoever wants to can also ask the witness to turn the hour-glass round
immediately after giving their clue. Now all the players have to place
their magnifying glasses within the time.
detectives simulta-
neously place magni-
fying glasses on
game board,
right = “nabbed”
player gets
decoration
wrong = go on
searching
no magnifying glass
placed right =
witness gives
further hint
new round
fourth decoration =
game won
and finished
