How To Create An Escape Game

Who doesn't love DIY escape rooms? Escape rooms are exciting for all ages and you can easily create one with things around your house. I have compiled 40 escape room ideas that you can do at home or in any room, for kids or adults, for birthdays or just for fun!

The more puzzles that that you include in your escape room, the trickier it becomes and the longer it will take to complete. Take a look through 40 escape room puzzles to create the perfect escape room at home! Number 35 is my favorite!

For ways on how to incorporate the puzzles into an escape room, visit one of my completed escape rooms – links at the bottom of the page.

If you are looking to try out an escape room, without having to plan and organize, Print and Go Escape Rooms are available at the bottom of this post. 5 minute set up, in virtually any home, and no extra materials are required.

Make sure to always supervise children when doing escape rooms. Use puzzles that are age appropriate, safe and placed in a location that is safe for the children doing the escape room.

Escape Room Ideas / Escape Room Puzzles

Top 40 DIY Escape Room Puzzles

Escape Room Clue #1

Start your escape room with a clue directly telling players to, "Start Here". Use colors to direct players to a specific combination of items in the room.

#2

Balloons are perfect for escape rooms, especially for parties. Clues can be hidden inside the balloons and only found when they are popped.

To see this idea used in an escape room, click here.

#3

Print a clue on a sheet of paper with white crayon. Have paint available in the room. When painted over, the clue will appear.

#4

Include a clue that doesn't look like a clue at first glance. Upon closer look, the first letter of each of the words, suggest to look at a clock.

#5

A simple lock on a bag or purse, requires players to find a set of numbers in order to open. Another clue can be placed inside the bag.

(For your convenience, a link to a number lock is available at the bottom of this post.)

#6

Draw a clue, then cut or mix it up, so that it has to be put together to reveal the next clue.

#7

Take a picture of an object in the room. Print the picture and use it as a clue. Players have to figure out what the picture is first, and then search for the item in the room.

#8

Hide a simple, "Pull Here" sign on a picture or under something in the room. Pulling the label reveals a clue.

#9

It looks like regular playdough, but inside it's a clue!

Escape Room Clue #10

A magnet attached to a string can be used to move something magnetic into reach, or it can be used to attach to something magnetic.

To see this idea used in an escape room, click here.

#11

A jar with colored water, can conceal a clue. This jar has a key. There is no way to get the key out, except with a magnet that drags the key up the side to the small opening.

#12

Create a board with 26 different pieces. Each colored block stands for a letter of the alphabet. Players must use the alphabet board to crack the code on another board. This code tells player to "Turn on Lights".

#13

Need scissors to open a lock clue? First, the key must be found.

(For your convenience, a link to lock and keys, are available at the bottom of this post.)

#14

A box securely sealed with tape can provide a clue inside.

#15

This clue is a password to open a phone. It can also direct players to a specific letter that can be found in the room.

#16

A clue printed incredibly small in a room may require players to use a magnifying glass.

#17

A cell phone left in the room can include a picture clue on the home screen.

#18

A clue or key can be hidden in plain sight and can blend in with other objects in the room. Players will need to search the room to find the camouflaged clues.

#19

A locked box can lead to a solution or more clues! In this box, I included one puzzle piece needed to complete a puzzle for a clue and a marble.

Escape Room Puzzle #20

A homemade marble run requires a marble to be found in the room. Different possible number clues are part of the run. The marble will fall into the correct number clue.

To see this idea used in an escape room, click here.

#21

Bike locks can be used to conceal a clue (or the prize). For this puzzle, both bike locks need to be unlocked in order to get what's inside the box.

#22

A bunch of locks, or keys, can be used as different clues. It can tell players how many locks are in the room.

Locks can also have numbers on the back, so as keys are found in the room and a lock is unlocked, the number on their back is used for another lock combination. (For locks that a key is not found for, their number is not required for the clue.)

(For your convenience, a link to lock and keys, are available at the bottom of this post.)

#23

Hide a clue under a table or desk. Tape it up to secure it!

#24

Puzzle pieces can be put together to reveal a clue. An invisible ink pen has been used for the pieces on this puzzle.

(A link to invisible ink pens is available at the bottom of this post. These pens are ideal for escape rooms. My kids have been playing with them constantly!)

#25

Items in a room that appear to be unimportant, can hold a clue.

#26

Type a message on a computer with a clue for players.

#27

These clear instructions to "Pop Me" tell players to pop the balloon. Inside, players can find a rolled up note with their next clue.

#28

A locked box hidden in the room, contains an invisible ink pen. The top of the pen holds the light to reveal words written in the ink.

(For your convenience, a link to invisible ink pens, are available at the bottom of this post.)

#29

If you have an old book, a rectangle can but cut into it to hide a key or another clue.

Escape Room Puzzle #30

A plain container in the room makes no sound when shaken, but it contains a number clue to open a lock.

#31

Use a lock on a closet or door that needs to be opened before players can go into the closet for their next clue.

#32

Incorporate a toy from around the house. Electronic toys work great because they can move from a starting point to a clue.

(For your convenience, a link to a code-a-pillar, is available at the bottom of this post.)

#33

Hide a clue inside a guitar that needs to be pulled up by a string.

#34

Have a variety of keys available to players. You can incorporate some math into your challenge (especially if used in the classroom). Give math problems and the solution directs players to a specific key.

#35

Having the prize in view the whole time is a great motivator. Each time a key is found, a lock can be taken off and players are one step closer to the prize.

#36

A bath bomb can be used to hide a key. Bath bomb must be put in water and dissolve to reveal a key, or another clue.

You can simply add a bit of water to baking soda to make a paste/dough. Place the clue in the middle and then roll into a ball. Let dry overnight.

#37

Use dice to conceal numbers. At first glance the dice seem unimportant, but number stickers on them give players specific number clues.

#38

A key hidden in a key? Create a paper mache key with a hidden hole in the top. At first the key looks like just a prop, but upon closer inspection an actual key is reveled.

#39

Use a homemade "crack the code" board and give clues (or pictures) throughout the escape room that spell out a word/clue.

Escape Room Puzzle #40

Place various words around the room, once all words are found players can put them in the right order to discover their next clue.

Bonus Escape Room Puzzles

#41

Hide slices of circle around the room with a letter on each. I put tape down on the carpet with colored dots in the center to. Players place each slide with the correct color dot to spell out a word.

#42

A recordable button make a great clue! Hide in a stuffed animal or secret spot in the room. When players push the button their next clue is revealed.

#43

Glow in the dark paint on the ceiling! You can use glow in the dark paint to print a clue in the room. With the lights on, the clue is invisible. When the lights are turned off, the clue is revealed.

#44

Use a piece of parchment paper to place over a printed clue. The X marks the spot on the parchment when properly lined up with the picture.

#45

Print a clue onto paper. Cut it up and then glue to large popsicle sticks. Players have to put the puzzle together to get the next clue.

I hope that you have lots of ideas for your own room now! Use what you have on hand and create escape rooms your players won't soon forget!

For your convenience, below are a few key materials to help you to set up your puzzles. Enjoy setting up your room!

Save Time and Buy an Escape Room!

Escape Rooms at Home – Print and Go

A fun addition to our escape rooms has been a whole house challenge. You don't need any locks or special materials for these escape rooms.

Just print the clues, spend a few minutes preparing the clues and hiding them in specific locations around the house, such as the couch, a bed or simply under a rug, and you are ready for some fun!

There are a variety of at home escape rooms available now.

Locks and Products to Create Your Escape Room at Home

For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Extra printable pages make it easier and faster for you to set up a escape rooms in your home or classroom. Try out my NEW Winter puzzle which includes printable clues and you don't need any materials, other then a pencil, to complete the mission!

Other Escape Room Clues and Certificates compliment any room you create. Or try out a birthday themed room! Click the image/link to purchase below.

More DIY Escape Room Ideas

For ideas on how to connect the puzzles and ideas together, and see a full escape room, visit my escape rooms below.