Screen-free play
Which Clue Is Extra?
Why Which Clue Is Extra? works
Which Clue Is Extra? is designed to practice reasoning that can be explained from visible clues or rules through a sequence that begins when the child is asked to hear all clues once. Identify which clue is irrelevant to solving a stated mystery because it does not narrow the answer. The opening action leads directly into the moment when the child is asked to use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities.
Set up — Hear all clues once
No special materials are needed before the child is asked to hear all clues once. Keep the space simple enough that the child can move from hear all clues once to use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities without rearranging everything. Use age-appropriate pieces and avoid small loose parts for children who may mouth objects while the child works through the first instruction to hear all clues once.
Step 2 — Use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities
After the child tries to use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set rather than explaining it for them.
Step 3 — Check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set
Have the child check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to identify the clue that adds no useful information, especially compared with the earlier request to use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities.
Step 4 — Identify the clue that adds no useful information
Give the child time to identify the clue that adds no useful information and notice the result. The following instruction to solve the mystery using only the relevant clues should use what they learned after previously trying to check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set.
Step 5 — Solve the mystery using only the relevant clues
Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to solve the mystery using only the relevant clues. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to solve the mystery using only the relevant clues.
What to notice before Solve the mystery using only the relevant clues
Use the attempt to check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set as the observation point. If the child understands why they are next asked to identify the clue that adds no useful information, the final request to solve the mystery using only the relevant clues should feel connected.
Make Check each remaining clue for whether it… easier or harder
A shorter version can finish after the child has tried to check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set, using this support: use fewer items and make the relevant difference more obvious. An advanced version can continue to solve the mystery using only the relevant clues after you add one plausible distractor, remove one cue, or ask the child to explain the rule.
Finish after Solve the mystery using only the relevant clues
Solve the mystery using only the relevant clues. Use that result as the stopping point for Which Clue Is Extra?. For another activity, use the activity search or create one with the activity generator.
How to play
- Hear all clues once.
- Use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities.
- Check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set.
- Identify the clue that adds no useful information.
- Solve the mystery using only the relevant clues.
Make it easier
To make the task lighter, finish after the second instruction. Keep “Hear all clues once.” and “Use the first useful clue to reduce the possibilities.” Save the rest of the sequence for a later round.
Make it harder
In Which Clue Is Extra?, to add thinking without adding a second game, ask the child to predict the result before the middle step. The step that stays central is “Check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set.” The goal stays exactly the same.
Play together
For partner play, assign the first instruction to Player A and the middle instruction to Player B. Use “Hear all clues once.” as the opening job and “Check each remaining clue for whether it changes the candidate set.” as the handoff point. In Which Clue Is Extra?, after the finish, trade roles rather than repeating the same jobs.
Two or more kids
For cooperative group play, split the sequence into distinct jobs. Keep “Solve the mystery using only the relevant clues.” as the common finish. Do not score individual turns.
Skills practised
Logic, Pattern Recognition, Problem Solving, Working Memory
Safety
Keep mystery objects safe and visible when handled. Do not hide items in unsafe places or use blindfolds.
Supervision: Awareness