I first introduced escape rooms to engage my own students, aiming to grab their interest, keep them focused, and deeply involved in learning. And WOW did it work!

As both a teacher and parent, I incorporated these puzzles into “Escape the Classroom” style games. If you’re new to escape rooms, you can explore resources on escape rooms for kids and similar posts for more background information.

The goal of an escape room game is to solve a series of tasks, clues, or puzzles to achieve different outcomes:

1. Physical Escape: This involves finding a way out of a room, which can be challenging to set up for a DIY escape room.
2. Digital Escape: In a digital escape room game solving puzzles digitally is a bit easier since it involves using computers or devices.
3. Problem Solving: Sometimes, the goal is to solve a problem within a scenario to avoid certain consequences, which is the easiest DIY escape room and a lot of fun.

Setting the Scene:

Start by creating a scenario that guides players towards one of these outcomes. For example, imagine you’re invited to a famous amusement park to help design a new roller coaster. To prove your skills, you must decode an encrypted message to enter the research facility.

When creating your own escape room, the story sets the stage for an exciting adventure. You can write a simple paragraph to explain the scenario or create a detailed story with clues and props like stuffed animals, tools, or even items from a cabinet.

Solving the Puzzle and Ending the Game:

Each puzzle in the escape room provides a crucial piece needed to reach the ultimate solution. Here are some ways puzzles can contribute:

• Puzzles may reveal codewords that decode a message.
• Each puzzle might offer a clue word, which players combine to form a sentence that solves the scenario.
• Collecting numbers could unlock a digital or padlock, revealing the solution inside.
• Hints gathered might help solve a riddle.
• Code words could lead to a key that unlocks a final solution.

The key is that each puzzle moves the escape room forward, keeping everyone engaged and preventing boredom.

Example:

1. Time Limit Tracker: Use a tool like our free escape room timer to keep track of the game.
2. Prize: Display an image of the prize.
3. Visual Clues: Include thematic images in your puzzles.
4. Hint Button: Provide a button for participants to request hints.

Use Your Senses

Try to create puzzles that engage as many senses as possible. For example, imagine the lights suddenly turning off and you see glow-in-the dark stickers around the room. This can make the experience exciting and help reveal a clue at just the right moment. This is a great way to introduce an important hint without showing it too early in the game.

Examples:

1. Touch: Feel a soft feather when the lights go out.
2. Sight: Use glow-in-the-dark stickers or objects.
3. Sound: Play mysterious sound effects like creaking doors.

Use Your Props

Incorporate props into your puzzles, whether in a physical room or a digital space. For instance, set the clocks to 1:05 and create a clue that directs kids to use the time to find a hint or answer in a book. You could also use a riddle that guides them to look closely at the clock, with the time on the clock serving as a digital lock code or combination for padlocks.

Example:

1. Clock Prop: Set the clock to 1:05.
2. Riddle: “Look closely at the clock, for the time it shows is a key.”
3. Digital Lock: Use the time (1:05) as a code to unlock the next part of the puzzle.

Locks and Keys

You can create locks, keys, and codes as simple or as complex as you like. To keep things easy and cost-effective, I usually use codewords instead of physical locks. Ask the kids to decipher a code to unlock the next clue. You could also use digital locks, a combination padlock, or a traditional lock and key.

Remember, it’s important to make the setup simple and straightforward. There’s nothing worse than promising a fun activity that can’t be completed because it’s too complicated to set up.

Example:

1. Codeword: Give kids a scrambled word to decode.
2. Digital Lock: Use an online tool for digital lock puzzles.
3. Combination Padlock: Provide clues that lead to the combination.

Escape Room Puzzle Ideas: Logic Puzzles

Logic puzzles are perfect for starting off your DIY escape room challenge. They’re accessible, challenging, and encourage teamwork, making them ideal for family activities. Here are a few examples of logic puzzles that I’ve created and enjoyed with my kids:

1. Sudoku Challenge: Solve a Sudoku puzzle to reveal a hidden code or clue.
2. Pattern Recognition: Arrange a sequence of shapes or colors in the correct order to unlock a box or door.
3. Matching Puzzles: Match pairs of symbols or pictures to uncover a secret message.
4. Logic Grids: Use clues to fill in a grid and deduce which items or people belong where.

These puzzles are meant to get you ready for bigger challenges and help you work together to solve the escape room mystery.

Escape Room Puzzle Ideas: Sequencing Puzzles

Sequencing puzzles are perfect for an escape room challenge because they require higher-level thinking. In this puzzle idea, you provide a series of visual or written clues and ask participants to arrange them in the correct order. People enjoy organizing things, making this a favorite in escape rooms for kids. For example, I often use social media clues that players must sequence correctly.

Depending on your age group and the situation, you can make written clues, use puzzles with sequences, or even use pictures showing steps being done. Just like other puzzles, once they finish the sequence, you can give them an envelope with a clue that leads to the solution.

Escape Room Puzzle Idea: Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are a fun addition to any escape room adventure. You can use puzzles you already have, buy inexpensive ones, or create your own using a template. One side of the puzzle displays an image, while the other side hides a code or solution. Once the players solve the puzzle, they can flip it over to reveal the code or solution, which helps them progress further in the game.

Putting together jigsaw puzzles adds a fun, hands-on part to the escape room adventure. It’s a great challenge as you work together to find clues and move forward in the game.

Escape Room Puzzle Idea: Mazes

Mazes make excellent escape room puzzles. Depending on the age of the kids and their level of assistance, you can use clues or create simple mazes for them to navigate. This activity provides a great opportunity for younger participants to join in and contribute to their team’s success.

Mazes are puzzles where you have to find your way through twists and turns. You’ll discover clues or reach important spots that help you move forward in the escape room adventure. They add an exciting element of exploration and problem-solving to the game.

Escape Room Puzzle Idea: Riddles

Riddles are fantastic puzzles to include in an escape room adventure. You can find riddles suitable for different ages or topics with a simple search on Google. They work wonderfully alongside physical clues placed around the room.

Riddles make you think creatively and solve puzzles by finding clues hidden around you. They make the escape room fun and interactive, and they help you work with others to figure out the answers using teamwork and critical thinking.

Escape Room Puzzle Idea: Questions

Simple questions make excellent puzzles for an escape room, especially in activities like “Escape the Classroom.” You can use trivia related to the theme or specific questions that require players to recall information. People enjoy trivia and find it engaging in fun games like escape rooms.

Questions challenge players to test their knowledge and problem-solving abilities within the context of the game. They can be integrated into the escape room adventure to unlock clues, solve mysteries, or progress towards the ultimate goal.