The timer is set! Can you find your way out fast enough? Escape rooms are very popular with adults, so why not create one for your kids? These 3 Do It Yourself escape rooms use exciting puzzles and clues that kids will love!

They also use simple materials that are easy to get your hands on.

There are many things that I personally love about escape rooms. As a mom, I love using escape rooms for celebrations, such as birthdays. Escape rooms work well for one person to complete independently, but they can also be done with a group. (We like to have the goodie bags as the ‘treasure’ at the end.)

As a teacher, I love the fact that they encourage problem solving, clever thinking and persistence. Children have to think outside the box in order to solve the clues and puzzles.

Finally, escape rooms are fun! The thrill of walking into a room and immediately looking around for clues or anything that seems out of place is exciting. Plus the thrill of solving the escape room is a great feeling!

Below are the 3 best DIY escape rooms! The best thing about these rooms is that you can look through the rooms, and pick the puzzles that work best for YOU!

When I create an escape room, I make a list of 7 – 10 clues that I want to use, and that I have the materials for, and then figure out a way to connect the clues together to create my room.

You can search through the 3 rooms below and pick the ideas that you want for your room, and start creating – your kids will love it!

Escape Room #1

The first escape room, starts with a message on a computer as the first clue. Which leads to popping a balloon! Players race around the room to find the different clues hidden throughout the room.

Clues even include finding a particular book with a key hidden in it. If you have an old book, or a few copies of an old book like we did, this is a great clue and remains one of my kids favorites.

To visit this escape room, and look through all of the puzzles, click here.

Escape Room #2

Kids will be excited to be screen free to do this escape room! Upon entering the room a color coded clue is visible.

Keep in mind when you create your own escape room, your clues do not have to be the same as the ones you see.

Your “Start Here” clue, could simply be 3 colored in squares on a sheet of paper. Keep it simple! Kids won’t notice the fancy clues, just the excitement of doing their very own escape room.

This room also uses some simple magnets – ones from the fridge will work – to get a key! Personally, this is one of my all time favorite escape room clues.

To visit this escape room, and look through all of the puzzles, click here.

Escape Room #3

This third escape room includes a marble run that your kids will love! Kids have to solve a puzzle to find the marble and then use it to discover a specific number for a lock.

This room also includes using an invisible ink pen. Finding the pen reveals a clue. (These pens are easy to find online.)

Kids will have fun using them long after the escape room is over. The invisible ink pens are an exciting clue to use in any escape room!

To visit this escape room, and look through all of the puzzles, click here.

My kids loved all of these escape rooms! They are perfect for parties or celebrations or just for something different to fill an afternoon at home.

Typically a room will take kids anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the age of the kids and the number of clues.

A few things that we always add to our rooms are a welcome note on the door of the escape room, and a completion certificate once they solve all of the clues. Printables are available through Teachers Pay Teachers, click link below.

I also love to add music and a timer running in the background. These DIY escape rooms are exciting for kids especially because they are done in a safe space at home.

I love watching my kids solve the clues and listening to them work out the different puzzles. It is very interesting and rewarding to watch.

I hope that you have found lots of ideas and are excited to create your own escape room! I would love to hear about how you use these clues in your own room! Happy creating!

For even more ideas and puzzles for your escape room, click the image below.

Printable pages and clues to make it easier and faster for you to set up an escape room in your home or classroom. They include a welcome note, initial clue(s), certificate and more!