The idea of creating an escape room is appealing, but it can also feel overwhelming. Creating all of the puzzles and putting the game together can be time consuming and costly. However, there are other options. The Best Escape Room at Home is one that everyone will enjoy and is easy to set up. This printable escape room game can be set up at home in minutes without any additional materials.

If you have never done an escape room game before, or have kids that are interested in doing an escape room, this printable game is the perfect place to start.

An escape room game involves several puzzles that players have to solve. They have to think outside of the box and find clues where there doesn’t otherwise appear to be any.

This game is played around the house and the puzzles are placed in strategic locations. There is no prep required for the puzzles beyond hiding the printable pages.

So turn your home into a place filled with adventure and mystery with this printable escape room game! For more printable escape room games, check out Free Printable Escape Room and another free escape game for young kids.

If you love the idea of creating your own escape room puzzles, check out this huge, and popular collection of 40 Escape Room Ideas.

As with all activities with children, make sure to place the clues in safe and secure locations and supervise children during play.

For information about how to order/purchase the escape room game featured in this post, click here or click the link at the end of the activity description.

Escape Room at Home Printables

My favorite thing about this escape room at home is that all you have to do is print the clues and set the pages in specific locations around your home. It’s a great game to get kids excited about trying an escape room, in the comfort of your own home.

Many of the puzzles are puzzles/pages in the style that children have likely seen before, such as a crossword. This familiarity helps children feel confident as they find each clue that they will be able to solve it. It also helps that they will have some idea of what to do when they see each puzzle.

You don’t need to create any of the puzzles, but there are specific locations that the puzzles need to be set.

Puzzle Locations:

• A Plant
• A Cutlery Drawer (Spoons/Forks)
• A Sink
• A Pillow
• Stair(s)
• A Laundry Basket

Once you print the clues you simply place the puzzle in the designated location. All of the puzzles needed are included in the resource.

The product also includes the set up instructions and the solutions.

Adding mysterious music and decorations around the house can help engage players and make the activity even more exciting. At the end of the game you can include a special treat or prize, or you can just give players the escape room completion certificate. You can also set a time restriction for players to do the game. Typically one hour works well.

The game can be played with small groups or individuals. It works well for a family game or even on a rainy day! You can also decide if you want to give clues and if so, how may will you allow during the game?

*Below I have described how the escape room game is played and an idea of how to set up the puzzles. Printable descriptions and the full solutions are all included in the printable resource that is available for purchase.*

Top Escape Room at Home Clue #1

When players first enter the room, they notice a sheet of paper on a table. (You can also hand players the welcome note to start the game.)

On the page there is a note that introduces players to the game they have now entered!

At first glance, the clue simply seems to be instructions for the game, but upon closer inspection, players notice that the puzzle is actually leading them to check the plants around the house! Each of the letters inside a square spell out this next location. (Full solution example included in printable product.)

DIY Escape Room Ideas Clue #2

Players will run around the house searching the plants, until they find a plant with another clue! This clue can be placed in or around any plant in the house.

When the clue is unrolled, players notice a dot to dot puzzle. Most kids have done dot to dot before, but if all of the numbers are connected, the puzzle does not make sense and will not lead players to the next clue.

There is a small clue at the bottom of the page that gives players a hint that not all of the numbers are used then they connect the dots.

Top Activity at Home Clue #3

Once the correct dots have been connected, the shape of a spoon and fork become clear. This suggests to players to check where these utensils are stored.

Once players look around with the spoons and forks, another clue will be found. This next clue is a maze that players need to figure out as they trace their way through.

The instructions at the bottom tell players to find their way through the end, and keep track of the letters they go through.

Top Escape Room at Home Puzzle #4

The letters from the maze, lead players to their next clue which is attached to the sink! This can be any sink in the house. From the kitchen sink to the bathroom sink, you can hide it anywhere.

Once players find the puzzle they notice that it is a crossword.

This is the only clue that can be altered before hiding it for the game. The list of answers/words that fit in the crossword are listed on the page. Having this list makes the puzzle very easy for older children and groups.

However, if you have young children playing, that may struggle to spell the words to put in the crossword, you can choose to keep this list with the puzzle. Otherwise it can be cut off.

Top Escape Room at Home #5

Once the crossword is solved, players race to check pillows around the house. From the sofa to the bed, players will search until they find their next clue!

You can make this clue, and the others more challenging by playing the clue inside the pillowcase of the pillow you choose to place the clue. If you leave the printable puzzles visible in each location the game will go faster and be easier for players.

This is ideal for young, or inexperienced players. However, you can hide the puzzles and place them in locations that still fit the clue, but are less likely to be the first place players look. For example, players may check pillows on their bed first, but you can place the puzzle inside a pillow on a couch.

Players read and fold the page to get their next clue!

Escape Room at Home #6

The final clue is found on a step. This can be any step/stairs in the house. You can set it on something on or near the step or tape it to the underside of the step, as shown in the example.

Once players find the puzzle, they notice that it is a picture of six rooms. These are rooms commonly found in the house along with items and furniture often found at home. The clue at the bottom of the page gives players a hint where their next clue is hidden.

Players will need to look back at all of their previous clues and try to find one common element. Once they find it, they look for it in the image. For this final puzzle, the common image is a smiley face, which is in the laundry basket in this puzzle. This smiley face is also found on each of the previous clues.

Escape Room Completion Certificate

I used a treasure box and placed a small treat in the box along with the completion certificate for each player. Once players check the box, they know that they have successfully completed the Best Escape Room at Home!

Once players solve the final puzzle and check the laundry basket, they will find their final prize/certificate.

The completion certificate is a great way to show that the game is over, and it is also a good way to leave players with a great memory of their adventure. Congratulations to the players!

I hope that your game goes smoothly and players enjoy it. Even at escape room locations outside of your house, that you pay to play, the game never goes exactly the way it is intended. It’s okay if players struggle to figure out a clue. That’s part of the challenge! And don’t worry if something goes wrong during play. You can guide players as needed to keep the game going and playing having fun.

Get the Printable Game!

If you want to get the Best Escape Room at Home featured above, click the image, or links below to learn more, or purchase.

The printable resource can be downloaded right after purchase (a link is sent through the confirmation email) and you can play within minutes. The printable also includes full set up instructions as well as the full solutions.

This game is the perfect introduction to escape room games. You can set it up at home for just the cost of the game and play today!

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