⚽ Cats, Basketball, SoccerGrade 1Reading: grades 7-9Place valueSkip countingAdditionSubtractionMissing addends
The Great Stadium Yarn Swap
Right before the final showdown between the Feline Strikers and the Alley Dunkers, someone snuck into the arena locker room and swapped all the official match balls with oversized balls of yarn! Head Referee Scratch called in your detective agency to analyze the clues and catch the culprit before game time.
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Signature Move | Special Gear | Dominant Paw | Fur Pattern | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Bicycle Kick | Tail Ribbon | Right Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Shohei Ohtani | Laser Pass | Tail Ribbon | Left Pawed | Tuxedo Coat | Laser Pointer |
| Diana Taurasi | Paw Dribble | Catnip Boots | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Laser Pointer |
| Lionel Messi | Alley Oop Leap | Tail Ribbon | Right Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Steph Curry | Paw Dribble | Whiskered Goggles | Right Pawed | Tuxedo Coat | Fish Treats |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Paw Dribble | Tail Ribbon | Left Pawed | Calico Fur | Squeaky Mouse Toy |
| Sue Bird | Paw Dribble | Pounce Cleats | Left Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Laser Pointer |
| Coco Gauff | Paw Dribble | Catnip Boots | Left Pawed | Tuxedo Coat | Squeaky Mouse Toy |
| Megan Rapinoe | Header Strike | Whiskered Goggles | Right Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Mia Hamm | Alley Oop Leap | Tail Ribbon | Left Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Alex Morgan | Bicycle Kick | Pounce Cleats | Right Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Caitlin Clark | Bicycle Kick | Neon Jersey | Right Pawed | Tuxedo Coat | Squeaky Mouse Toy |
| Thierry Henry | Header Strike | Neon Jersey | Left Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Simone Biles | Laser Pass | Neon Jersey | Right Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Fish Treats |
| Patrick Mahomes | Laser Pass | Neon Jersey | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Fish Treats |
| Kylian Mbappé | Paw Dribble | Tail Ribbon | Right Pawed | Tuxedo Coat | Squeaky Mouse Toy |
| Sunisa Lee | Alley Oop Leap | Tail Ribbon | Left Pawed | Calico Fur | Fish Treats |
| LeBron James | Alley Oop Leap | Catnip Boots | Right Pawed | Tuxedo Coat | Squeaky Mouse Toy |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Laser Pass | Neon Jersey | Left Pawed | Calico Fur | Fish Treats |
| Luka Doncic | Bicycle Kick | Whiskered Goggles | Right Pawed | Tabby Stripes | Squeaky Mouse Toy |
| A'ja Wilson | Alley Oop Leap | Tail Ribbon | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Laser Pointer |
Clue 1
Place value
To decipher the security keypad near the locker, you examine the tens and ones digits on the referee's digital clipboard.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
83
49
32
71
44
32
26
41
19
55
43
86
39
68
72
T
83
47
35
32
71
44
35
T
83
43
71
32
39
35
43
44
55
32
55
86
32
26
T
83
71
What number has 8 tens and 3 ones?T
What number has 4 tens and 7 ones?D
What number has 3 tens and 2 ones?E
What number has 2 tens and 6 ones?A
What number has 4 tens and 9 ones?H
What number has 4 tens and 4 ones?N
What number has 6 tens and 8 ones?R
What number has 5 tens and 5 ones?C
What number has 7 tens and 1 one?S
What number has 8 tens and 6 ones?L
What number has 3 tens and 5 ones?O
What number has 7 tens and 2 ones?I
What number has 3 tens and 9 ones?P
What number has 4 tens and 1 one?K
What number has 4 tens and 3 ones?U
What number has 1 ten and 9 ones?Y
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Skip counting
To trace the prowler's footsteps down the sideline bleachers, you count the bench seat numbers by twos and fives.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
9
22
12
120
15
120
21
12
130
T
9
33
30
100
22
T
9
21
26
25
21
33
30
36
T
9
120
26
33
12
39
36
T
9
22
12
36
12
T
9
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15T
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30A
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26H
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45O
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120G
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140S
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25U
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150C
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40I
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35W
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39R
0/14 letters found
Clue 3
Addition
To calculate the total training cones cleared on the practice pitch, you combine the tallies from both team captains.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
19
2
8
17
5
8
18
18
15
11
16
4
10
12
A
19
4
11
4
10
A
19
20
20
12
3
4
16
12
14
15
5
5
A
19
15
7
7 + 12 =A
12 + 4 =H
5 + 13 =F
1 + 2 =D
2 + 2 =T
2 + 3 =L
5 + 9 =V
7 + 5 =E
11 + 4 =I
1 + 1 =B
2 + 6 =O
3 + 4 =N
7 + 4 =S
12 + 5 =W
10 + 10 =P
4 + 6 =R
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Subtraction
To figure out how many penalty cards were misplaced, you subtract the remaining cards in the referee pouch from the total.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
3
8
11
1
11
T
3
11
7
T
3
12
2
11
19
14
4
T
3
T
3
11
1
19
T
3
18
12
14
11
1
T
3
9
17
17
5
15
16
18
12 - 9 =T
16 - 4 =I
20 - 1 =S
20 - 2 =R
7 - 3 =O
5 - 3 =V
17 - 6 =E
19 - 3 =U
19 - 4 =F
15 - 6 =A
11 - 4 =C
7 - 2 =Y
19 - 5 =P
9 - 8 =D
19 - 2 =B
17 - 9 =H
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
To find the missing jersey numbers needed to complete the championship roster, you solve for the blank spots on the lineup board.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
5 + ___ = 6
10 + ___ = 12
9 + ___ = 18
6 + ___ = 18
8 + ___ = 12
5 + ___ = 11
9 + ___ = 14
4 + ___ = 15
3 + ___ = 10
6 + ___ = 16
3 + ___ = 11
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain scored with a bicycle kick, then tied a bright tail ribbon.
2.The villain leaped for an alley oop, then tied a bright tail ribbon.
3.The villain knocked in a header strike, then adjusted whiskered goggles.
4.The villain leaped for an alley oop, then strapped on pounce cleats.
5.The villain knocked in a header strike, then zipped into a neon jersey.
6.The villain leaped for an alley oop, then zipped into a neon jersey.
7.The villain scored with a bicycle kick, then zipped into a neon jersey.
8.The villain zapped a laser pass, then laced up catnip boots.
9.The villain zapped a laser pass, then zipped into a neon jersey.
10.The villain knocked in a header strike, then strapped on pounce cleats.
11.The villain leaped for an alley oop, then laced up catnip boots.
12.The villain dribbled past defenders, then tied a bright tail ribbon.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Stadium Yarn Swap
Culprit: Megan Rapinoe (Header Strike · Whiskered Goggles · Right Pawed · Tabby Stripes · Fish Treats)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE SNEAKY CULPRIT DOES NOT USE POUNCE CLEATS"What number has 8 tens and 3 ones? = 83 (T) · What number has 4 tens and 7 ones? = 47 (D) · What number has 3 tens and 2 ones? = 32 (E) · What number has 2 tens and 6 ones? = 26 (A) · What number has 4 tens and 9 ones? = 49 (H) · What number has 4 tens and 4 ones? = 44 (N) · What number has 6 tens and 8 ones? = 68 (R) · What number has 5 tens and 5 ones? = 55 (C) · What number has 7 tens and 1 one? = 71 (S) · What number has 8 tens and 6 ones? = 86 (L) · What number has 3 tens and 5 ones? = 35 (O) · What number has 7 tens and 2 ones? = 72 (I) · What number has 3 tens and 9 ones? = 39 (P) · What number has 4 tens and 1 one? = 41 (K) · What number has 4 tens and 3 ones? = 43 (U) · What number has 1 ten and 9 ones? = 19 (Y)
- Clue 2 (Skip counting): "THE SUSPECT RIGHT PAW PRINTS ARE ON THE NET"Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (T) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (A) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (H) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (O) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (G) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140 = 120 (S) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (U) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (C) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40 = 30 (I) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (W) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (R)
- Clue 3 (Addition): "A BOWL OF FISH TREATS TRAPPED THE VILLAIN"7 + 12 = 19 (A) · 12 + 4 = 16 (H) · 5 + 13 = 18 (F) · 1 + 2 = 3 (D) · 2 + 2 = 4 (T) · 2 + 3 = 5 (L) · 5 + 9 = 14 (V) · 7 + 5 = 12 (E) · 11 + 4 = 15 (I) · 1 + 1 = 2 (B) · 2 + 6 = 8 (O) · 3 + 4 = 7 (N) · 7 + 4 = 11 (S) · 12 + 5 = 17 (W) · 10 + 10 = 20 (P) · 4 + 6 = 10 (R)
- Clue 4 (Subtraction): "THE DETECTIVE SPOTTED STRIPED TABBY FUR"12 - 9 = 3 (T) · 16 - 4 = 12 (I) · 20 - 1 = 19 (S) · 20 - 2 = 18 (R) · 7 - 3 = 4 (O) · 5 - 3 = 2 (V) · 17 - 6 = 11 (E) · 19 - 3 = 16 (U) · 19 - 4 = 15 (F) · 15 - 6 = 9 (A) · 11 - 4 = 7 (C) · 7 - 2 = 5 (Y) · 19 - 5 = 14 (P) · 9 - 8 = 1 (D) · 19 - 2 = 17 (B) · 17 - 9 = 8 (H)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 3) → Megan Rapinoe5 + ___ = 6 = 1 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2 · 9 + ___ = 18 = 9 · 6 + ___ = 18 = 12 · 8 + ___ = 12 = 4 · 5 + ___ = 11 = 6 · 9 + ___ = 14 = 5 · 4 + ___ = 15 = 11 · 3 + ___ = 10 = 7 · 6 + ___ = 16 = 10 · 3 + ___ = 11 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Place value, Skip counting, Addition, Subtraction, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Great Stadium Yarn Swap — set in Whiskered Arena Grand Championship
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects