Chaos at the Carnival is a downloadable kid-friendly carnival-themed mystery party game kit designed for hosts who want a fun, easy-to-run whodunnit full of silly surprises and big-top excitement. Use this complete printable mystery party kit for birthday parties, school events, or any celebration that needs a playful game packed with colorful characters, curious clues, and carnival chaos.


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Setting the Scene
Ladies and gentlemen, step right up!
Come one, come all, to Ripley Ringmaster’s Flying Circus! This group of powerful performers and crazy characters have long rehearsed for their grand opening. And now, the curtain is about to go up, revealing acrobats, clowns, and daredevils to a roar of applause!
But with fame and fortune on the line, something sinister awaits the performers in the wings…
Rumors of grudges, feelings of betrayal, and bruised egos all simmer below the surface of these painted faces. And one of the performers might take things a step too far, and commit a carnival crime!
When that happens, the circus folk – from ringmaster to tightrope walker – must work together to capture the culprit.
Could it be the klutzy clown climbing for their spot as a star?
The tightly wound trapeze artist hiding a gruesome grudge?
Or the mysterious escape artist with more than one trick up their sleeve?
Only the brightest of stars can interrogate, investigate, and examine evidence to pull back the curtain and reveal the culprit!
So grab some popcorn, touch up that face paint, and prepare to shine a spotlight on this Chaos at the Carnival!
Guest Breakdown
For 8-14 guests: All characters can be played by any gender.
Guest Breakdown
For 10-20 guests: All characters can be played by any gender.
Guest Breakdown
For 18-30 guests: All characters can be played by any gender.
First-time host/hostesses need not be wary. Night of Mystery parties have everything you need to throw a successful party and are designed to be easy-to-run.
If you want to play along, you can! As host, you will want to read the host’s guide in full to ensure that you are setting the game up correctly WITHOUT letting you know who the murderer is!
Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the MURDER!
Excellent Question! And one that needs more explaining, please see the “How to Play” Page of our site and/or download a preview file to get a complete understanding of how our mysteries are run!
Yes. We have invitations you can download at any time to send out to your guests. (We recommend you do this before purchasing if you are unclear of your guest count.)
Once you order, you will have access to your party pdf as well as email invitations with character descriptions included for your guests. See a sample emailable invite with character description here.
YES! As host, you get to decide how much or little you know about the murder.
If you want to play along, you will want to read the host’s guide in full to ensure that you are setting the game up correctly WITHOUT letting you know who the murderer is in this murder mystery party game!
This will depend on (a) the version of party you order and (b) what you/they want to do at the party.
Some murder mystery party game rules say (generally the smaller 6-8 guest and 8-12 guest versions) have the victim rise and become the investigator after their “death.”
Since the victim does not know who murdered them, they can still play along and try to guess the murderer using their previous background knowledge and their money in order to bribe and blackmail others and derive their secrets from one another.
If you have a larger version, and you have not assigned the investigator (they are generally listed as the first person to eliminate for this reason), then the victim will need to become the investigator.
If you have assigned the investigator, but have an extra role that is not already filled, the victim can become this person (if you order the 20-80 player version, this will always be an option).
If the victim wishes to do nothing, they can do that as well. Some guests really enjoy playing along “dead” and trying to figure out who killed them.
Where to Start
- Purchase this Mystery
- Download and Print Your Kit!
- Start Planning An Epic Murder Mystery Party!
What’s in Our Printable / Digital Kit
- Character Sheets
Juicy secrets, wild motives, and unique roles for every guest. - Host Guide
Easy, step-by-step instructions to run the show like a pro. - Game Materials
Clues, evidence, and everything to solve the case. - Invites & Decor
Printables to build hype and set the scene. - Awards
Certificates for Best Costume, Super Sleuth & more!
Chaos at the Carnival
Are You Up for the Challenge? Get this Mystery Now!
Chaos at the Carnival (Coming Soon)

