Story detectives

Reading for clues in Year 1

Story detectives is an untimed reading-comprehension game about Mia’s missing red hat. Children read a short part of the story, find a matching place in the picture and use what happened to decide where to look next. Each discovery changes the scene: the hat appears in the bush, moves into the detective’s care and finally returns to Mia.

What children practise

The first clue asks children to retrieve a clearly stated detail: Mia left the hat on the bench. The next clue connects the wind to the hat’s movement. The final search brings together the direction of the wind and the hiding place. Returning the hat completes a simple beginning, middle and ending. These are selected comprehension skills, rather than a complete Year 1 reading programme.

Playing together

A child can read independently or share the reading with a grown-up. Read the words as written, then let your child choose an object in the picture. Ask “Which words helped you decide?” rather than naming the correct object. The Read story again button repeats the current passage without costing a star; rereading is a useful reading strategy. This game has text read-along and no recorded narration.

Objects are buttons with visible labels. Children can tap them, click them or reach them with Tab and choose with Enter or Space. They do not need to drag accurately, race a timer or use a microphone. The Show a hint button points towards the relevant place if your child needs support.

Stars and trying again

Three clues and the final return make four decisions. The game records how many were solved on the first try without a hint: four earns three stars, two or three earns two stars, and completing with more support earns one star. Mistakes never end the game. Stars are saved only on this device after the whole mystery is solved, and a lower result does not replace an earlier best result. Replaying resets the investigation.

Tell the story afterwards

Invite your child to retell the adventure using “first”, “then” and “at the end”. They could explain why the hat moved and why the blue bag was not the place to return it: Mia said she wanted to wear it. Listen for a reason drawn from the story. A different sensible idea is a chance to talk, even when the game follows one particular story.

The complete story

Mia left her red hat on the bench. Then the wind began to blow. A gust lifted the hat and carried it towards the leafy bush. A little red brim peeped out from the leaves. Mia said, “Please give my hat to me. I want to wear it.” The detective found the hat and brought it back. “Thank you!” said Mia.

Curriculum connection

This activity supports discussion of events, checking understanding and making simple inferences from what has been read. It connects to Year 1 reading comprehension in the National Curriculum in England. The illustrated story was created for learnwith.games. The pictures are AI-generated game artwork.