How to build one and use it

Establishing classroom escape rooms is an inevitable way to increase student engagement. You can use this challenge to introduce a new topic or review what students have learned. At first, this may seem a little overwhelmed, but once you build a process you can use the same process and equipment and then simply change the puzzle and story to a new theme. Follow the steps below to set up your own classroom escape room! (Or check out our digital escape room concept here!)

1. Select your lock and box

Most escape rooms use locked boxes to hide a series of clues. You can buy lockable boxes or build your own. Some teachers prefer to use lockable security bags, which are easier to store. Don’t want to deal with multiple boxes? Try adding a lock HASP that holds multiple locks that must be opened at once.

Lockable boxes and bags

There are many options available. All you really need is a way to lock a box or bag. (If you choose a box with a combination lock built in, make sure you can change the combination for each new experience.) Check out:

Locking and locking mechanisms

Today, locks come in a variety of styles and unique options will make kids more fun. They don’t have to be fancy, although investing in cool things like codex will really catch your students’ attention. Be sure to try your locks ahead of time to make sure they are easy enough for students to use. These are our favorites:

2. Set a purpose and create a story

What do you want your child to achieve in the classroom escape room experience? You can use it to introduce new topics or comment topics you have explored. Every clue, puzzle, and action in experience should be linked to your topic. Find out what information you want your students to know and use. Then it’s time to get creative!

The story of the Escape Room attracts participants by connecting your puzzles and clues to a real adventure. Start each escape room challenge with a story of a problem that needs to be solved. Don’t say too much at once. Let the story unfold when the students find clues.

3. Create your puzzles and clues

This is the interesting part indeed! The great thing about classroom escape rooms is that the confusion students need to solve in order to “escape” does not have to be too complicated. Provide students with a carefully read paragraph and answer questions. The letters highlighted in these answers may be the solution to the first clue. Try mathematical problems with numeric combination locks, or have students solve riddles or do reasoning. Here is an example:

• Clues: Ben Franklin wakes up on his 12th birthday, a violent thunderstorm, and lightning-like windows crack outside.
• Solution: Combination lock 1-17-18, the date of Franklin’s 12th birthday.

It is often a good thing to make the first task or puzzle fairly simple. This builds confidence and makes students more eager to continue. Too many challenging tasks may make less confident students ready to quit. The key is a balance between simple, medium and challenging tasks.

Ideas about class escape room puzzles

Need some help coming up with ideas? View the following resources:

Escape Room puzzles and clue tools

Make the puzzle even more exciting with invisible ink and other clever tricks (all available on Amazon):

4. Organize, prepare and rehearse

Now that you have created your own stories and puzzles, it’s time to put them together. This seems a little overwhelmed, so take advantage of this free printable escape room mastermind.

Follow your plan, you can play your entire event mentally. Pretend you are a student. What do you want them to do from the moment they enter the room to “escape” or “win”? Is something too easy? Not sure? Make sure the task is challenging, but don’t be too frustrated. Then, make sure that the correct answer is logically meaningfully, thus establishing each step.

Determine how your students will solve the task. Will they work as a large group? In a large class, this can be difficult. Many teachers group their courses into groups and set tasks as sites. Students can move groups from one group to another. To make this work, it is best to solve the task/site in any order.

Finally, set up your escape room and prepare for fun! If possible, recruit some teachers or a group of friends to try the escape room first. This gives you a chance to resolve any errors and adjust them as needed.

5. Create a buzz!

You have done a lot of work to build a classroom escape room, so take some time to get your students excited about the experience!

• Prompt “The escape room is here. Are you ready?” and hang them in the room. Or make mysterious signs in the vague hints of the escape room to get their interest.
• Place the box in the prominent position of the room, refuse to answer any questions about this question, and tell the students that they will find out soon.
• Create a mysterious letter that students can watch as they enter the room or connect it with your story via email.
• In the day of the game, let students earn “Spy Bucks” in recognition of good behavior in the classroom. They can use these tips to escape the escape room.
• On the day of escape, wear costumes and play music coordinated with your story. The more immersed the experience, the better!

6. Escape!

That day has arrived! Take a deep breath as you attend the fast-paced super festival. Your students will love this and you will love to see them excited to learn, collaborate and persistently challenge.

Set rules in advance. Remind the group to work together quietly so they don’t give up the answer to other groups. Consider exposing their ideas to you by presenting their work or explaining their thoughts to you before they progress to keep them responsible for solving puzzles.

One important thing to remember is that they will be confused and may want to give up. They might argue with each other (and you guys!). This is part of the process. It’s confusing and not entirely clear yet, but really learning and following up with things you’re curious about. Let them pass through.

In other words, you can prepare some tips. During the planning phase, you may have identified the trickiest parts. Consider what tips you can provide if you need to keep the game moving forward.

You also need to manage groups for each station. If a group seems to be stuck in a task or puzzle and is lifting the rest of the class, consider giving them one of those well-prepared tips. Plan some rich activities, and each group can also be performed while waiting for the next station.

7. Celebrate and reflect

Be sure to celebrate the success of your students! The tangible prizes (such as stickers or snacks) are fun. You may also recognize personal or group achievements such as leadership, patience, or skills to solve puzzles.

Then, spend some time making a name for yourself in everyone’s mind and reflecting on the experience. What did the kids learn or review? Do they think they are doing well? How does this experience enhance their learning? This can not only be a part of the event’s performance, but will also provide you with valuable information you reflect on yourself.

When you reflect, think about everything going well and it is not working. Taking the time to take this indispensable step in the planning process will make your future escape room better. Now that you already have the tools and processes, you can switch stories and puzzles and do it again!

Get a free escape room bundle!

We have compiled a large number of teacher resources to create the perfect escape room in your classroom. This editable canvas bundle includes step-by-step instructions to create your game, different puzzle templates for students to solve, and once the game is over, you can complete your self-reflection and everything else you need. Click the button below to get the free template.

Have you ever had a classroom escape room before? Why are you leaving? Come and share us We are the teacher helpline group on Facebook.

Also, check out the best team building games and activities in the classroom.