Top 25 Escape Room Ideas
Who doesn’t love DIY escape rooms? If you’re up for the challenge, I have the perfect list of DIY and homemade clue escape room ideas for you to set up in your own space; for the kids, for your friends, or even your whole class!
One of the most exciting things about DIY escape rooms is the challenge of trying to use things you already have on hand, such as number locks (check your suitcase) or invisible ink (secrets will be revealed in this article!) This list of 25 escape room ideas should help you get your space ready for some awesome escape room action whether it's for kids or adults, for birthdays, or just for fun!
You don’t have to include every idea in your DIY escape room, the more puzzles you include, the trickier it becomes and the longer it will take to complete, so choose your puzzles based on your players’ ages or level of patience. Take a look through these 25 escape room puzzles to create the perfect escape room at home! Psst… my favourite is number 13.
Psst… me again, I have a little secret for you. If you’re too lazy to build your own DIY escape room, I’ve got the perfect theme ready for you in the shop! Check out some of my favourites below.
Alice! DIY Escape Room Mystery
Alan Turing Enigma Escape Room
Harry Potter Inspired Magical Mystery Escape Room
Noel’s Flying Castle Ghibli-Inspired Escape Room
A Swift Escape! Taylor Inspired Escape Room
Mystery on the Orient Express Escape Room
1920 Murder Mystery Escape Room
Top 25 Escape Room Ideas - Perfect for DIY Escape Rooms and Home-made Mysteries
- Mazes
- Logic Puzzles
- Invisible ink #1 Wax
- Codes
- Keys and locks
- Hidden objects
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Dice
- Dominoes
- Dice
- Water
- Word clues
- Invisible Ink #2 Lemon Juice
- Balloons
- Clocks
- Lollipop sticks
- Windows
- Photographs
- Playdough
- Magnets
- Scissors
- Light
- Tape (for attaching things under tables and chairs, behind things etc)
- Cookie (bake a key or clue into it)
-
Glow paint
How to Use Common Items in a DIY Escape Room
Creating your own escape room can be a fun and challenging activity! Below is a guide on how to use everyday items to craft engaging puzzles and challenges for your DIY escape room. Each item is listed with its potential uses.
1. Mazes
Create physical or paper mazes where players must find the correct path to reveal a code or keyword. Alternatively, design a maze that players can trace with a string to unlock the next clue.
2. Logic Puzzles
Use riddles, Sudoku, or pattern-based puzzles to challenge players’ critical thinking skills. Incorporate the solutions as codes or hints for the next step.
3. Invisible Ink #1 Wax
Write hidden messages using wax (like a white crayon) on paper. Players can reveal the message by lightly shading over it with a pencil or by rubbing with a darker-coloured crayon or water-based paint.
4. Codes
Use simple substitution ciphers, Morse code, or colour-coded messages to create puzzles that players must decode to advance.
5. Keys and Locks
Incorporate padlocks, key locks, or combination locks to secure boxes or doors. Hide the keys or codes in other puzzles throughout the room.
6. Hidden Objects
Place important items like keys, notes, or puzzle pieces inside books, under furniture, or behind objects for players to discover.
7. Jigsaw Puzzles
Create or use pre-made puzzles where the completed image or specific pieces reveal a clue, number, or keyword.
8. Dice
Use dice to create number-based puzzles. For example, players might roll dice to find a specific number combination needed for a lock.
9. Dominoes
Arrange dominoes in a specific pattern, with numbers or dots corresponding to a code. Alternatively, make players set up dominoes correctly to trigger a physical clue.
10. Water
Hide clues in waterproof containers and place them in water. Players might need to retrieve the containers or use water to reveal a hidden message (e.g., dissolving paper or uncovering submerged items).
11. Word Clues
Incorporate crossword puzzles, anagrams, or word searches where the answers point to the next step.
12. Invisible Ink #2 Lemon Juice
Write messages using lemon juice on paper. Players can reveal the writing by holding the paper near a light source or using a heat source carefully.
13. Clocks
Use clocks to encode times that correlate to specific numbers or letters. Players might need to set the clock hands to a certain position to trigger a mechanism or clue.
14. Balloons
Hide small notes or objects inside balloons. Players must pop the balloons to retrieve the clues.
15. Lollipop Sticks
Write numbers, letters, or symbols on lollipop sticks and arrange them to form a word, equation, or code.
16. Windows
Use windows as a surface to write clues with dry-erase markers or stick transparent hints. Alternatively, place items outside the window that players need to notice.
17. Photographs
Incorporate photos as clues. They might show locations, hidden objects, or patterns that guide players to their next step.
18. Play Dough
Embed small items, such as keys or puzzle pieces, inside play dough for players to dig through and discover.
19. Magnets
Use magnets to reveal hidden compartments or as part of a challenge where players must use a magnet to move an object into position.
21. Light
Use flashlights or black lights to reveal hidden messages written in glow-in-the-dark paint or invisible ink. Light can also be used to shine through objects that reveal codes or symbols.
21. Scissors
Provide scissors for cutting through string, paper, or tape to access clues or solve puzzles.
22. Tape
Attach items under tables, chairs, or behind objects using tape. It’s a simple way to create hidden compartments for players to discover.
23. Cookie
Bake a key or small clue inside a cookie. Players must break or eat the cookie to find it. Ensure the object is safe to include and clearly visible.
24. Glow Paint
Write symbols, numbers, or messages on walls or objects with glow paint. Players can use a black light to reveal these hidden clues.
25. The Best Idea Is Yours!
What is it that makes you unique? When you’re designing your own escape room, adding a personal touch can be the thing that adds the cherry on the cake.
By creatively combining these items, you can design an unforgettable DIY escape room experience that challenges and delights your players. Let your imagination run wild!
