The Missing Picnic Code - free early playtest

Three short pencil-and-paper puzzles for a family to solve together. This is a free early usability sample, not a finished escape-room game.

Download either the A4 or US Letter PDF. Each contains seven pages: instructions and practice, three puzzles, two hint pages, and explained answers. Print single-sided in black and white; no cutting, props or internet are needed while playing.

The intended audience is ages 8–10 with an adult, but suitability and playing time have not been tested. Adults can also review it on their own; please distinguish an adult-only review from a family playtest. Participation is voluntary and unpaid. There is no purchase or positive review requirement. A later, different full product may be sold; this sample is intended to remain free.

An AI assistant created the puzzle text, rules and layout and checked the solutions programmatically. It has not been tested with real players. Feedback may be reviewed with AI assistance to improve the draft.

Feedback from adults only, through the Comments section on this page. Comments are public and an itch.io account may be required. Do not share children's names, ages, photos, voices, location or other identifying details.

1. Which instruction made you stop or reread?

2. For each puzzle, did you use no hint, hint 1, hint 2, or the solution?

3. What felt too easy, frustrating or worth keeping?