Little Explorer Labbig ideas, little blocks
Watch it: build it, play it, learn from it
Scam Detectives: the game your child builds.
The game your child builds and plays
A step from the Scam Detectives guide, with the game and the Scratch blocks to build.
Inside the guide: step 2, with every block pictured
Pack 07 · ages 7–12 · New

Scam Detectives.

Four messages. Three clues each. Can you spot the tricks?

$10
  • One-time payment. Instant download.
  • For ages 7 to 12. A grown-up helps with setup the first time
  • English instructions. Built on a laptop or desktop with free Scratch: online, or installed to work offline
  • Three editions in every download: Anywhere, UAE and India. Names, places and pictures change; the instructions stay in English
  • One ZIP file, 6.1 MB, works offline
  • If a pack doesn't work, we'll fix it or refund you. Not sure yet? Try Market Day free

What your child builds

A detective game about messages. Four messages arrive on Sprout's tablet. For each one, your child checks three clues: Who sent it? What does it want? Is it rushing you? Then they choose: ask a grown-up, ignore it, or do it. A trick costs pretend coins, and Sprout says what to do next. One message is real, from Grandma.

Three editions: The real message comes from Grandma, Teta or Nani. The fake prize is a bike, a scooter or a cricket bat.

What they learn

  • A scam is a trick to get your money or your secrets
  • Who? What? Hurry? Three questions for any message
  • A real prize never asks you to pay
  • Asking a grown-up is always a good choice
  • Clones that each keep their own number
  • The costume number, and maths to pick a costume
  • Buttons that check before they act
  • if / else with lists

■ money   ■ coding

Nine short steps

  1. STEP 00Spot the tricks!Your mission
  2. STEP 01Set up your detective deskSprites, variables & lists
  3. STEP 02The messages arriveBroadcast & costumes
  4. STEP 03Three question marksClones
  5. STEP 04Check the cluesCostume number & maths
  6. STEP 05Make a choiceButtons that check first
  7. STEP 06The Do it buttonif / else with lists
  8. STEP 07The detective's reportTwo endings
  9. STEP 08The detective labTest, experiment & share

For grown-ups

Three questions to check any message. Every pack ends with a section for you: what your child learned in each build, and questions to keep the conversation going.

“Has a game or message ever offered you something free? What did it want back?”

“What should you never send in a message?”

“Who would you ask if you weren't sure?”

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