Use crafts to accompany a mystery storytime. Help children make magnifying glass themed bookmarks. Cut a black circle and glue a white circle inside of it, then add a long, thin paper rectangle to serve as the handle. Kids can use the craft to remind them of mystery story that they heard during reading time.
Another mystery craft is to let children create a secret message. Provide white paper, paint brushes and lemon juice. Let children write a message or draw a picture with lemon juice. Let them dry, then hold them up to the light to reveal the message.
Engage children in mystery themed games to enhance storytime. Fill a cardboard box with several common items such as a teddy bear, a ball, an apple, a key and a book. Cut a hole in the box that is large enough for kids to put their hand into. Let children take turns blindly feeling the items, and have the group generate a list of items they were able to identify in the box.
Another mystery themed game is a scavenger hunt. Hide books around your story room, and tell children that they must solve a mystery and return all the lost books. Be sure to have each child have a turn looking for a book.
Invite special speakers to come in and give a short talk to students after you have read a mystery story. A police officer or detective, for instance, can share his experience about how to solve a mystery. Have him bring his fingerprint equipment along to show children how officers dust for prints.
Another special speaker to consider is a mystery author. Have the author detail the process she goes through when thinking of the story plots and about her specific mystery books.
Use a bulletin board to advertise a mystery storytime event in your school or community. Add pictures of book covers for children's mystery books on the bulletin board. Once the children have arrived, have them trace their feet on butcher paper. Cut the footprints out and then lay the feet on the floor in a pattern. Tell children to follow the footprints to solve a mystery, and have the footprints lead to a table with stickers or treats.