Backpack Mystery

This engaging activity is designed for 5th-8th grade students to foster creative thinking and social-emotional skills. The challenge begins when students discover a mysterious backpack with no identifying information. Their goal is to examine the backpack's contents and solve a series of interconnected puzzles to determine its owner and return it to them. The puzzle pack is filled with actual items including:
Homework Folder
Pencil Box
Lunchbox
Pouch
Each item is filled with a combination of paper puzzles and object puzzles that presents clues and challenges that, when combined, guide students toward solving the mystery. This hands-on, collaborative activity encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, all while incorporating elements of fun and discovery. Backpack puzzles are meant to be reused. Dry erase markers included and copies can be made where necessary. 
Estimated time to solve for a pair of students: 4-6 hours (Ten+ half-hour sessions)
Colors of items vary.