An escape room is a brilliant Christmas activity for children. It gets them thinking, working together and very excited. You can make a simple one at home in an afternoon, or let an online one do the hard work.
A DIY Christmas Escape Room
The idea is simple: a locked box (or a present they cannot open) and a series of clues that lead to the code.
The Story
Give it a reason. The elves have locked away the Christmas presents and left clues to get them back. Read the story out at the start.
Clue Ideas
- Bauble numbers: stick a number on the back of three baubles on the tree. Count them to get part of the code.
- Christmas card cipher: write a message where each letter is swapped for the next one in the alphabet.
- Jigsaw: cut an old Christmas card into pieces with a number on the back.
- Treasure hunt: a clue in the fridge, a clue under a cushion, a clue in a stocking.
- Riddle: a Christmas riddle where the answer tells them where to look next.
The Finish
A padlock with a number code is ideal. If you do not have one, put the final clue in an envelope that says “only open when you know the magic word”.
An Online Christmas Escape Room
If you do not have time to set one up, The December Dilemma is a Christmas escape room in 25 parts, one door a day through December. Grumble the elf has locked Santa’s workshop and the children have to get it open in time for Christmas. Nothing scary, lots of puzzles, and it suits 6 and up.
For a free one to try first, Old McDonald’s Farm takes ten minutes and works for ages 4 and up.
Tips
- Pitch puzzles at the youngest player and let older ones help them, rather than solve everything.
- Have a few hints ready for when they get stuck.
- Time them, and give a little prize for escaping.
See every family game on our escape rooms for kids page.
