Finders Seekers

Finders Seekers is a monthly mystery game that sends you to a different place in the world every month without leaving your living room. Each box holds a story, a stack of puzzles, souvenir props and a travel poster, plus themed recipes and a playlist to set the mood. You play as a team, solving one puzzle after another until you crack the case. No murders, no gore: this is the friendly, globe trotting cousin of the crime games.

It is run by a small family business in Utah, it has sold more than 900,000 games, and it has been featured in the New York Times gift guides. Here is what you get, what it really costs, and whether it beats the other mystery subscriptions.

How Finders Seekers works

Every box is built around a city or a country. Recent ones include Iceland, Tokyo, Egypt, Thailand and Ireland, and the back catalog covers places like Paris, London, Machu Picchu, Petra, Sydney, Route 66 and the US National Parks. You open the box, read the letter from Lucy on the back of the travel poster, and the adventure starts.

From there, it is a chain of puzzles: ciphers, maps, riddles, hidden clues in the props and a bit of logic. Each answer unlocks the next step. You check answers on the Finders Seekers website, which also gives you hints and full answers when you get stuck, so a hard puzzle never ends the night. You do not need to create an account to play.

• Players: 1 to 8 is the sweet spot, but more can join.
• Age: 10 and up with an adult. The content is family friendly, though the puzzles are designed with adults in mind.
• Play time: about 1.5 to 3 hours or more, with no time limit. You can stop and pick up later.
• What you need: the box and a phone, tablet or computer with internet.

What’s inside a Finders Seekers box?

Every game includes the same building blocks:

• A set of designed puzzles that tell the story of the mystery
• Souvenir props that you actually use in the investigation
• Authentic themed food recipes and drink recipes from the destination
• A themed music playlist
• A travel poster for your wall, with the starting letter on the back

The extras are what set it apart. Cooking a dish from the destination, putting on the playlist and then opening the case turns a puzzle box into a real evening. Couples use it as date night, families as a screen free game night.

How much does Finders Seekers cost?

There are four plans. List prices are $35 a game, but Finders Seekers runs sales most of the time, so the prices you see at checkout are usually lower than the regular price:

Shipping is $5.95 in the US and $7.95 to Canada, by USPS with tracking. The 6 month plan gets discounted shipping, and the 12 month plan ships free in the US. Finders Seekers ships to all 50 states, US territories, APO military addresses and Canada.

Our take: the 12 month plan is the best deal, since it works out to 12 games for the price of 9, but it is a big upfront bet. Start with month to month or 3 months, and switch if you love it.

Finders Seekers promo code

The site regularly offers a discount on your first game. The current code is HALFOFF, which takes 50% off your first box at checkout. Codes change, so check the banner at the top of the official site before you order. Even without a code, the prepaid plans are already discounted.

Shipping dates and gifts

Everyone gets the same mystery each month. Boxes ship once a month, around the 22nd or 23rd, for orders placed by the 21st. Order after that and you start with the next month’s game. Delivery in the US usually takes 2 to 7 business days.

It makes a very good gift. Check “This is a gift” at checkout and the plan will not auto renew unless you choose to. The recipient gets an email with tracking when the first box ships, so enter your own email if you want to keep it a surprise. For 25 or more boxes, for a company event for example, Finders Seekers offers a bulk rate by email.

Can you buy past Finders Seekers boxes?

Sometimes. Boxes often sell out, but leftover games show up in the Finders Seekers shop from time to time. The company also re-releases older mysteries every couple of years, and it adds three brand new ones each year, so the lineup keeps growing past 35 games. Be careful buying used boxes from other players: you could end up with a duplicate of a game your subscription will send later.

How to cancel Finders Seekers

You can cancel anytime from your account, or by emailing [email protected]. Cancelation takes effect at the start of the next billing cycle. Monthly members get one more box after they cancel, and prepaid members keep receiving games until the end of the period they paid for. You can also pause for a while instead of canceling. One thing to know: there are no refunds on boxes that have shipped, and refunds on unshipped orders come with a $10 processing fee plus 10%.

Is Finders Seekers worth it?

Yes, if you want a cozy, cooperative game night rather than a dark crime story. The puzzles are clever without being impossible, the hint system is forgiving, and the recipes, playlist and poster make each box feel like a trip. At $25 to $30 a game on sale, it is fair value for 2 to 3 hours of fun for a whole group.

Pros

• Family friendly mysteries, no violence
• Real puzzles plus props, recipes, playlist and a poster
• Forgiving online hints and answers
• Works solo, as a couple or with a group
• Great gift that does not auto renew

Cons

• Needs internet for most boxes
• You cannot choose your destination: everyone gets the same box
• One time play, like all mystery games
• Strict refund policy
• US and Canada only

Finders Seekers vs Hunt A Killer vs Unsolved Case Files

These are the three mystery games people compare most. Hunt A Killer is a murder mystery with locked tins, ciphers and props. It is darker, more immersive and starts at $29.99 a case. Unsolved Case Files is a paper cold case game you solve by reading evidence, with a true monthly subscription at $19.99. Finders Seekers is the one you can play with your kids or your parents: puzzles first, travel theme, zero crime scene photos.

Our pick: Finders Seekers for families, couples and anyone who prefers escape room style puzzles. Unsolved Case Files for true crime fans on a budget. Hunt A Killer for groups who want a spooky, prop heavy experience. If you want more options, browse our lists of hobby subscription boxes and geek subscription boxes.