Junior Detective Badge Program

Grades K-6

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Create an activity booklet with safety tips, laws, and good citizenship tasks. Award “Junior Detective” badges upon completion.

Materials

  • Printable Junior badge template
  • Clipboards or hard writing surfaces (optional)
  • Detective hats or magnifying glasses (optional but fun)
  • Stickers or stamps (for task completion)
  • Envelopes or folders labeled “Case Files”
  • Worksheets or clue cards for challenges (create your own or request a printable pack)

Instructions

  1. Introduce the Program:   Tell students they are entering the Junior Detective Academy, where they’ll learn how to observe carefully, think critically, and make safe choices.
  2. Set the Goal: Explain that they must complete 3–5 detective challenges to earn their official badge.
  3. Distribute Materials. Give each student:
    1. A “Case File” folder
    2. A blank badge card (with spaces for stamps/stickers)
    3. A pencil
    4. Optional: detective hats, toy magnifying glasses
  4. Detective Challenges: Choose 3-5 of the following:
    • Observation Tray Challenge
      • Objective: Sharpen attention to detail
        • Place 10-12 everyday objects on a tray.
        • Let students observe for 30 seconds, then cover it.
        • Ask: “What did you see?” Have them list or draw from memory.
    • Find the Safety Hazards
      • Objective: Learn home or classroom safety
        • Show a picture or model of a messy or dangerous room (e.g., cords on floor, open drawer).
        • Students identify and mark all the hazards.
        • Discuss each one together.
    • Mystery Footprint Match
      • Objective: Practice pattern recognition
        • Show cutouts of shoe prints. Match them to “suspect” shoes.
        • Great for critical thinking and introducing basic forensic science.
    • Decode the Safety Message
      • Objective: Learn important safety rules
        • Give a simple substitution code (e.g., A=1, B=2).
        • Students decode phrases like “CALL 911 FOR HELP” or “STOP, DROP, AND ROLL.”
    • Clue Hunt (Scavenger Style)
      • Objective: Follow directions and teamwork
        • Hide 3-5 clues around the room. Each clue gives a hint to the next.
        • Final clue leads to a “safety secret” like a smoke alarm or emergency exit.
  5. Badge Ceremony
    • Once students complete their challenges, hand out the Junior Detective Badges.
    • Hold a brief ceremony. Have them raise a hand and repeat:
      • “I promise to observe carefully, make safe choices, and help others as a Junior Detective!”