DIY ESCAPE ROOM FOR KIDS
THE GUIDE FOR MAKING AN ESCAPE ROOM AT HOME
DIY – Does your family crave adventure and love to solve puzzles? Imagine the thrill of an escape room in your own living room! Don't know where to start? Fear not, we've got you covered. Follow our easy peasy step-by-step guide to create a custom escape room for your little ones and score some major parent points!
1. GOAL
Think about the escape room's big picture. Is it a fun and games kind of deal, or a chance to teach something new? Will it be an impromptu activity for a lazy Sunday, a boredom buster for kiddos, or a special occasion like a birthday or holiday? And hey, why not whip up your own escape room as the ultimate party game? The possibilities are endless!
2. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
To create a DIY escape room that's a blast, first decide how many players will join the quest. This way, you can tailor your puzzles and supplies to suit the group. We suggest aiming for a team of two to four kids for the ultimate experience. Too many players can make the game trickier, and we all know the most important thing is to keep the fun factor high!
3. THEME & STORY
Get ready to create the ultimate escape room adventure for your little ones! Start by picking a theme that'll knock their socks off. And, since you know your kids like the back of your hand, choose something that'll make their eyes sparkle with excitement. For the swashbuckling adventurers, there's pirates! The dreamers would love fairy tales! For the detectives, there's Sherlock Holmes! But, if learning is on the agenda, think about diving into the human body, exploring the animal kingdom (garden edition), or taking a trip through space! No matter what you choose, the possibilities are endless.
4. REWARD
Want to sprinkle some extra fun into playtime with the kiddos? Why not get them excited by setting up a reward system? By planning ahead, you can keep them fully engaged and motivated. To keep the good vibes going, think about rewarding them after each task they complete. That way, they'll be grinning from ear to ear with each step towards their ultimate prize.
5. DIY – CREATING & DEVELOPING ASSIGNMENTS
This is the fun part! Consider what kind of assignments your children enjoy and allow their creativity to flourish. It's nearly impossible to think of all assignments at once; creativity typically comes in bursts. Take some time to be inspired and encourage your kids to be imaginative too. The assignment's difficulty level is also important, so keep that in mind while creating them. Don't overcomplicate things, though! Children may find challenging tasks difficult to comprehend, and adults may struggle as well. Our tip? Keep it simple and straightforward.
INSPIRATION
TYPE OF ASSIGNMENTS
USE GADGETS & PROPS
It can be challenging to come up with engaging assignments, but there are many resources available online that can help you. For instance, Pinterest is an excellent source to find puzzles and riddles to inspire you. You can also check out our blog, where we've listed out some examples of assignments to get you started. Don't be afraid to draw inspiration from others' work – it can lead to great ideas!
Escape rooms are a melting pot of puzzles and challenges that'll put your brain to the test. But, let's not leave the little ones out! It's key to keep things diverse and engaging for the kiddos. Think treasure hunts, mind-bending math puzzles, decoding secrets, juggling clues, word jumbles, and more. Our sneaky tip? Kids are ace at searching and agile feats. They're born explorers, after all!
Who says you need to break the bank to create a heart-pumping escape game? Just raid your house, yard, and pantry for everyday items and get ready to craft some wicked puzzles. Spice things up with locks and keys, or throw in a suitcase with a combo lock for extra pizzazz! But here's the thing: even without fancy gear, you can still brew up a nail-biting challenge. Just grab an envelope or room and use it to lead players to their next mind-bending task. Think out-of-the-box.
6. HINTS OR CLUES
Let your creative juices flow when brainstorming hints for your assignments! From abstract clues to straightforward pointers, prepare a range of hints to keep your players on their toes. Get into character and think about how your hints can fit the theme and storyline. Will you offer hints on paper or in an instructional video? Voice audio recordings are also a viable option..
The choice is yours, so have fun with it!
7. TEST YOUR DIY ESCAPE ROOM
One of the most critical aspects of designing an escape room is testing. This is key to determine if the tasks are too easy or too difficult and ensure that everything is accurate. It's best to have the game tested by children of a similar age to the target audience. This way, you can identify any issues, such as faulty locks or other materials.
Bottom line: double-check everything to provide the best possible gaming experience for the kids.
8. WATCH & LEARN
Let the games begin! As the game master, it's your job to lay down the law and explain the rules of the game and the prize(s) at stake. You're also the go-to hint-giver, so be sure to stick around in case of any confusion. Take note of what worked well and what didn't for future reference, especially if you plan on hosting more home escape rooms. And don't forget to ask the little ones their thoughts afterward – their feedback is pure gold!
LACKING INSPIRATION, TIME, OR SIMPLY NOT IN THE MOOD?
Life can be unpredictable! That's why we cooked up several awesome escape games, perfect for your little adventurers! For just €6, you can download the game(s) and let the fun begin! It might be a bit tricky for kiddos under 7, but a little teamwork can make it as easy as pie, just like a real escape room!
We're all ears! Don't hold back, tell us all about your experience. Did the kiddos rave about any particular tasks? Which games had them bouncing off the walls? If you have any questions or just fancy a chat, we're all ears. Drop us an e-mail at info@clocked-up.nl, or hit us up on Facebook and Instagram at @Escaperoomarnhem and @Clocked_up.