Magnifying glasses
The classic first tool for examining maps, textures, footprints and tiny written clues.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)C.J. Weddell recommends
Mystery essentials for curious minds
Practical ideas for building a junior detective kit, hosting a family mystery night and exploring the history and folklore behind the stories.
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For Evelyn & Elliot explorers
Build a junior detective kit
A small collection of practical tools can turn a walk, rainy afternoon or family trail into a proper investigation. Adult supervision is recommended, particularly outdoors.
Invisible-ink pens
Useful for secret messages, clue trails and homemade detective challenges.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Field notebooks
Pocket-sized notebooks for witness statements, sketches, codes and discoveries.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Walkie-talkies
For team investigations around the house, garden or supervised family adventures.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Children’s binoculars
Lightweight observation tools for coastlines, wildlife and distant landmarks.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Compasses
A simple way to bring directions, maps and navigation into an outdoor mystery.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Clues around the table
Plan a family mystery night
Choose a cooperative case, make a few detective snacks and give everybody a notebook. These searches are starting points rather than endorsements of every item shown.
Family mystery games
Collaborative cases and deduction games designed for playing together.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Escape-room games
Tabletop puzzles, codes and timed challenges for an atmospheric family evening.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Detective games for children
Age-appropriate clue solving and investigation games for young mystery fans.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Mystery jigsaws
Puzzles that combine a visual challenge with a story or hidden solution.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)The reading shelf
Explore the worlds behind the mysteries
History, folklore, gothic fiction and cosy crime provide the atmosphere behind both sides of the C.J. Weddell bookshelf.
British history for children
Accessible introductions to the places, people and events behind historical adventures.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Folklore for young readers
Legends and strange tales that turn real landscapes into places of possibility.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Classic gothic fiction
The shadowed houses, buried histories and immortal monsters that shaped the genre.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)Cosy mystery reading
Village secrets, suspicious circles and fair-play mysteries for fireside reading.
Browse on Amazon (paid link)The best clue is a good story