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Years ago, before the internet and social media existed, many of us ordered book-of-the-month subscriptions. Book series like Nancy Drew would arrive, one each month. We would sit at the kitchen table, experiencing the thrill of opening each parcel and being surprised at which book was inside.
Modern subscription boxes or game kits (they go by a lot of different names) take this a step further, with life-like "evidence", artifacts, videos, and more.
How does a Game Kit work?
Just like the book-of-the-month idea, game kits are boxes that arrives in the mail. They contain assorted clues, artifacts and other items to challenge you to solve a crime. You can order one specific box, or sign up as a subscription and have a different box arrive each month.
Here is an example from cratejoy.com:
(Photo credit: Cratejoy.com, Cozykiller box)
Warning ... these kits are highly addictive. You can play them with your (older) kids, date night, or make it a monthly girls night in tradition! If you are true crime junkie, you will seriously love these "hands on" unsolved crime kits.
Check out some of our mystery box suggestions below.
1. Finders Seekers Mysteries
Some things you might receive are: Letters, ciphers, and puzzles: To crack these fiendish challenges you will need to work together with your friends and family. One puzzle leads to another
Takes approx. 2-4 hours to complete each puzzle.
2. Escape the Crate

Escape the Crate
from: Cratejoy
- A 1 hour long game for family game night
- Items include: ciphers, letters, sleuthing tools, puzzles, and more!
- Ships bimonthly. Cancel anytime.
- Internet is required to play. Enter codes online to check if you are right!
3. Sleuth Kings
- A 1 hour long game for family game night
- Items include: ciphers, letters, sleuthing tools, puzzles, and more!
- Ships bimonthly. Cancel anytime.
- Internet is required to play. Enter codes online to check if you are right!
4. Cozykiller
- Work on your own or in a small "detective team"
- Work at your own pace, or ask for hints from the private fb group
- Features vintage memorabilia, coherent storylines, replica items, keepsakes
5. A Killing Affair - Serial Killer Box
- Work on your own or in a small "detective team"
- Work at your own pace, or ask for hints from the private fb group
- Features vintage memorabilia, coherent storylines, replica items, keepsakes

6. Hunt a Killer (Ongoing mystery)
Description from their website:
High-quality, hand-crafted clues get you lost in the fictional world and make you feel like you're solving a real murder.
Here's a sneak peek inside box #1. You receive the following clues. It's then up to you to piece it all together. Every month, the plot thickens, and you get closer to revealing the murderer.
(Photo credit: Hunt a Killer Website)
