Ad Alert at Times Square
Media Literacy Adventure Pack
Bright lights flash across Times Square. Giant screens shout bold claims. Headlines scroll faster than anyone can read. But something is off. Messages are exaggerated. Facts are blurred. Sources are unclear. Ari Raider has detected a disruption in the media network. If explorers cannot separate fact from persuasion, the city’s information system could spiral into confusion.
In Ad Alert at Times Square, students board the Neon News Cruiser and step into a high-stakes media mission. To restore clarity, explorers must examine advertising claims, evaluate evidence, identify bias, and determine whether a source is reliable. By comparing sources and fact-checking information carefully, students protect the flow of accurate communication before misinformation spreads.
This adventure blends critical thinking and media awareness with story, exploration, and real-world analysis.
About This Adventure Pack
Ad Alert at Times Square is designed for elementary explorers and connects directly to an interactive online adventure.
Students can complete the Ad Alert at Times Square adventure online for free, including access to free printable trading cards that match this experience. The online adventure delivers the full learning and story-driven mission without requiring a physical kit.
👉 Explore the free Ad Alert at Times Square adventure here: Coming Soon
For families or classrooms that want to extend the experience, this Adventure Pack adds collectible cards and hands-on components that bring the media mission into the physical world. The learning experience is the same whether students use the physical pack or not. The pack simply adds a tactile, collectible layer to the adventure.
What This Adventure Covers
Each Ad Alert at Times Square Adventure Pack explores core Media Literacy concepts, including:
• Media – Forms of communication such as advertisements, news, and digital content
• Claim – A statement that says something is true
• Evidence – Information that supports a claim
• Persuasion – Techniques used to convince an audience
• Target Audience – The specific group a message is meant to reach
• Bias – A preference or viewpoint that may influence information
• Reliable Source – A trustworthy provider of accurate information
• Compare Sources – Examining different sources to check for accuracy and consistency
• Fact Check – Verifying information to make sure it is true
Each concept appears naturally within the adventure and is required to move the story forward, reinforcing responsible media habits through exploration rather than memorization.
What’s Inside the Pack
• Adventure-Filled Field Pack (6×9 Adventure Pouch)
• Adventure Mission Card
• Interactive Online Adventure
• Knowledge Card Pack
• Mystery Dig Kit
• Dig Stick Tool
• Cleaning Wipe
• Mystery Collectible Specimen (Gemlet)
• Gemlet Storage Container
• Excavating Adventures Sticker
Why Kids Love It
Exploring a world-famous city filled with bright ads, decoding bold claims, solving information puzzles, and uncovering a real mystery specimen makes media literacy feel exciting and relevant.
Why Teachers and Parents Love It
Ad Alert at Times Square supports elementary standards focused on evaluating sources and understanding persuasive techniques. Students practice analyzing claims, identifying bias, and fact-checking information in age-appropriate ways.
The adventure works for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent exploration — with or without the physical pack.
Free Adventure Option
Ad Alert at Times Square is also available online for free, including free printable trading cards that align directly with this adventure. No purchase is required to participate.
This reflects our mission at Excavating Adventures: to make engaging, story-driven adventures accessible to everyone.
👉 Explore the free Ad Alert at Times Square adventure here: Coming Soon