Escape rooms have been gaining popularity around the globe, and for a good reason! They’re a fantastic way to bond with family or friends, test your problem-solving skills, and immerse yourself in interactive, challenging scenarios.
The great thing is, you don’t need to head to a professional escape room to enjoy these thrilling experiences.
With creativity and the right resources, you can create your own escape room at home, tailored to your specific interests and level of challenge.
We’ve rounded up 50 best DIY escape room puzzle ideas to help you build an adventure that’ll entertain all your team members for hours, and at the end of this blog post we have a sample escape room put together if you want to use our ready made Ancient Egypt themed escape room.
What is an Escape Room?
An escape room is an interactive game where players work together to solve a series of puzzles and challenges within a limited time to achieve a common goal, often escaping from the room. These puzzles vary widely, encompassing different types of puzzles like logic puzzles, math puzzles, and cipher-based challenges.
Escape room games can be physical, such as in-person escape rooms or digital like virtual escape rooms, with some innovative companies like Confetti’s Virtual Escape Quest offering fully online experiences. Whether you’re a fan of traditional board games or prefer the digital escape rooms, there’s a scenario for you.
What are Escape Room Puzzles?
Escape room puzzles are the core of the escape room experience. They are tasks, riddles, or problems that players must solve to progress to the next level or step of the game.
The difficulty of these puzzles can range from simple tasks hidden in plain sight to complex puzzles that require significant thought and collaboration. Examples include finding a hidden clue, deciphering a coded message, or figuring out the correct order of items to unlock a secret door.
How to Make Your Own Escape Room at Home
Designing your own escape room at home can be a fun and rewarding project. You can choose a theme, such as a mad scientist’s lab, a haunted mansion, or a hidden treasure island, and build your puzzles around that theme. The puzzles’ complexity will depend on your team members’ ages and abilities, but remember, the most important thing is to have fun! It’s a good idea to have a game master who knows all the secrets and can provide hints if players get stuck.
This DIY escape room project can be a great addition to a party or a family gathering. It can also be a fantastic tool for educators, providing a unique way to engage students in a classroom escape room setting.
Best DIY Escape Room Puzzle Ideas
Let’s delve into some free escape room puzzle ideas you can use to build your at-home escape adventure.
1. The Jigsaw Puzzle Challenge
One of the best ways to start your escape room adventure is with a good old-fashioned jigsaw puzzle. Hide the puzzle pieces around the room and let the players gather them. The completed picture can hint at the next clue or reveal a secret message.
2. The Secret Message
Use lemon juice as invisible ink to write a message on a piece of paper. Hand over a black light or UV light to players, and they can reveal the hidden message, guiding them to the next puzzle.
This particular puzzle is a good example of how you can include science concepts into your escape room challenge.
If you need instructions on how to do this, use the info in the post below
3. Morse Code Mysteries
Introduce a Morse code puzzle into your escape room design. Give the players a sheet of Morse code and a short message written in this secret language. They must decipher the message to get the next clue.
4. Combination Lock Conundrums
Lock a box with a combination lock and hide clues around the room that will reveal the digit code. The clues could be numbers hidden on ordinary objects or a math puzzle leading to the correct answer.
5. Hidden Objects in Plain Sight
Use everyday objects in an unusual way. A hollowed-out book can serve as a hiding place for a small object or a secret code. The object or code is necessary to advance to the next level.
6. Black Light Secrets
Write messages or clues with invisible ink that only show up under a black light. This can lead players to the next step or reveal hidden objects necessary for their escape.
7. Popsicle Stick Cipher
Write a message on a set of popsicle sticks, one letter per stick. The players must arrange the sticks in the correct order to read the message and proceed to the next puzzle.
8. The Trap Door
Design a fake trap door with a secret hiding place underneath. This can contain a clue or an object that will lead players to the next puzzle.
9. Strobe Light Confusion
Use a strobe light to hide or reveal messages. For example, a message written on the wall may only be visible when the strobe light is flashing.
10. Logic Puzzles
Logic puzzles are a great way to challenge players’ problem-solving skills. The solution to the puzzle leads to the next clue or helps unlock a locked box.
11. Sound Clues
Record a series of sounds and let players identify them in a particular order. This can reveal a digit code or lead to the next clue.
12. Digital Escape Rooms
For tech-savvy players, you can integrate digital elements into your escape room. Use a cell phone as a prop to receive text clues or to decipher a QR code that leads to the next puzzle.
13. Color-Coded Messages
Write a secret message using different colors. Players need a special colored filter or glasses to read the message and get to the next level.
14. Math Puzzles
Include math puzzles suitable for the age and skill level of your players. The answer to the math puzzle could be the combination to a lock or the clue to the next puzzle.
15. Common Puzzle Themes
You can base your entire escape room around common puzzle themes. For instance, you can use a rebus generator to create puzzles that, when solved, lead to the next clue.
16. Large Group Puzzles
For large groups, design puzzles that require multiple people to solve. This could be a giant jigsaw puzzle or a task that requires coordination between team members.
17. Hidden in Books
Create a library-themed escape room. Clues can be hidden within the pages of books or coded within book titles on a shelf.
18. Cipher Wheel
Use a cipher wheel for players to decipher coded messages. The correct interpretation could give them the key to a locked box or the location of the next clue.
19. Google Forms
Make use of Google forms for digital escape rooms. Players can input answers to questions, and correct answers can lead them to the next step of the game.
20. The Hollowed-Out Object
Use a hollowed-out object, such as a book or a piece of furniture, to hide a small object or a clue. Players must discover the hidden compartment to retrieve what’s inside and move to the next puzzle.
21. Board Game Elements
Incorporate board game elements into your escape room scenario. For example, a certain arrangement of chess pieces on a board can provide the clue to a lock combination.
22. DIY Decoder Ring
Create a DIY decoder ring. This device can be used throughout the game to decipher secret codes, providing an ongoing challenge and interaction.
23. Unusual Use of Ordinary Objects
Find ordinary objects and use them in an unusual way. For instance, you can use a mirror to read a backward message written on a wall or a piece of paper.
24. Hidden Message in a Song
Use a familiar song and alter the lyrics to include hidden messages. Players will have to listen carefully and decipher the message to find the next clue.
25. Scent-Based Clues
Incorporate scents into your escape room. Players might need to identify certain smells, which lead to the next clue or puzzle.
26. Pattern Recognition
Create a pattern with certain objects, colors, or sounds. Once the players recognize and understand the pattern, they can use it to solve the next puzzle.
27. UV Light Magic
Draw or write something on a wall or paper using a UV pen. The players can use a UV light to reveal what is hidden and gather their next clue.
28. Coded Messages in Books
Use books to hide coded messages. For instance, the first word on a specific page of several books can form a message or clue.
29. Counting Puzzle
Create a puzzle that involves counting specific objects in the room. The final count could be the combination to a lock or a clue to the next puzzle.
30. Mirror Image Drawing
Create a drawing where the full image can only be seen by holding it up to a mirror. This image could hint at the hiding place of the next clue.
31. Temperature-Sensitive Ink
Use temperature-sensitive ink to hide a message or clue. Players must figure out how to reveal the message — perhaps by freezing or heating it.
32. Pressure Plate Puzzle
Invent a puzzle that involves stepping on certain spots on the floor in a specific order. This could open a secret door or reveal a hidden clue.
33. Lock and Key Challenge
Hide various keys around the room. Only one will open a locked box or door, which contains the clue to the next puzzle.
34. Time-Based Puzzle
Create a puzzle that involves setting clocks or timers to specific times. The correct setting will unlock the next clue.
35. Connect the Dots
Create a giant connect-the-dots puzzle on a wall or floor. Once connected, the image can guide players to the next puzzle.
36. Musical Clues
For those with a musical inclination, create a challenge that involves playing a simple melody on an instrument. The correct tune will reveal the next clue.
37. The Weight Puzzle
Set up a puzzle where players need to place objects of different weights in a particular order. The correct arrangement will reveal the next clue.
38. Food-Based Puzzle
For a fun twist, create a puzzle using food. This could involve deciphering a recipe, or using food colorings to reveal hidden messages.
39. Map-Based Clues
Provide players with a map of the room or a larger area. They’ll have to identify specific landmarks or coordinates to find the next clue.
40. Playing Card Puzzles
Use playing cards to create a code. The correct arrangement or sequence of cards can be the key to the next puzzle.
41. Shadow and Light
Use light and shadows to reveal hidden clues. Players might need to use a flashlight or other light source in a specific way to discover the clue.
42. Tactile Puzzle
Use textures and shapes to create a tactile puzzle. Blindfolded players will need to identify specific objects or arrangements by touch alone.
43. Riddle Me This
Riddles are a classic part of many escape room puzzles. The answer to the riddle can provide a clue or reveal the location of the next challenge.
44. Costume Clues
For a themed escape room, hide clues in costumes or accessories. This is especially effective in a historic or fantasy-themed escape room.
45. Word Search
Create a giant word search. The remaining letters after all words are found can spell out the next clue.
46. The Locked Diary
Provide players with a locked diary. They must find the key and decipher the information within to find the next clue.
47. Scavenger Hunt
A good old scavenger hunt never fails. Hide a list of items throughout the room. Once all items are collected, they’ll lead to the next clue.
48. Spot the Difference
Set up two seemingly identical scenes and ask players to spot the differences. Each difference can provide a part of the next clue.
49. Picture Clues
Hide clues in pictures or artworks. Players must interpret the artwork to find their next clue.
Perhaps the clue could be small and require a magnifying glass, to make it into a more difficult puzzle?
50. Historic Cipher
Use a historic cipher, like Caesar Cipher or Pigpen Cipher. The correct decryption will lead to the next clue.
And there you have it — 50 incredible DIY escape room puzzle ideas that can transform your home into an adventure-filled escape room. These ideas will not only test your players’ problem-solving skills, but they will also offer a unique, engaging, and memorable experience.
Ready Made Ancient Egypt Theme Escape Room to Play At Home
Try out our ready made ancient egypt themed escape room puzzles below, or put together your own themes using your favorites of the 50 diy escape room ideas listed above.
This is great for teenage birthday party idea, or any kind of fun family gathering.
Theme: The Lost Tomb of Pharaoh
You and your friends have discovered an ancient map leading to the unexplored tomb of a forgotten Pharaoh. You’ve transformed your home into this mystical site. However, as you venture into the burial chamber (your living room), the stone door (a sheet hanging in the doorway) shuts behind you. Now, it’s up to your team to solve the Pharaoh’s riddles and escape before your air runs out.
Room Design:
Decorate your room with homemade hieroglyphs on sheets of paper, DIY sandstone wallpaper (brown craft paper), homemade Egyptian artifacts like cardboard sarcophagi, paper torches, and a makeshift Pharaoh’s throne using a decorated chair.
Clue #1: On one wall, you have hung a large poster with hieroglyphs. Using a printed “Rosetta Stone” guide, your team must decipher these hieroglyphs. The translation reveals a riddle: “I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I’m never released, and yet I am used by almost every person. What am I?” The answer to this riddle (a pencil) is the first clue.
Clue #2: On the Pharaoh’s throne (the decorated chair), there’s a hollowed-out book. Inside this book, the team will find a pencil. The pencil is the key to the next puzzle.
Clue #3: One of your DIY artifacts is a cardboard statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, holding a DIY balance scale made from a hanger and small containers. The team must balance the scale using various small objects around the room. Once balanced, a secret compartment in the statue (a taped-on envelope) can be opened to reveal a piece of paper with a cipher wheel and a coded message.
Clue #4: Using the cipher wheel, the team deciphers the coded message: “Look behind the eye of Ra.” They must find the Eye of Ra symbol in the room.
Clue #5: You’ve drawn an Eye of Ra symbol on a large piece of paper and taped it to one of the walls. When the paper is lifted, it reveals a combination lock (which could be a suitcase lock or bike lock) and a small jigsaw puzzle. The players must complete the jigsaw puzzle which reveals the combination for the lock.
Clue #6: Upon opening the lock, players find a UV flashlight and a message written on a piece of paper with invisible ink: “The gods point the way.”
Clue #7: Using the UV light, the team must find the symbols of Egyptian gods that you’ve drawn with invisible ink on separate sheets of paper hung around the room. Each god is pointing in a specific direction (drawn on the same sheet). The order of the gods gives the combination to a final lock on a cardboard sarcophagus in the room.
Clue #8: Inside the cardboard sarcophagus, there is a key. The key fits the stone door (your sheet hanging in the doorway), allowing the team to “escape” and end the game.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to create an exciting and fun-filled Ancient Egyptian escape room right in your own home. It’s a fantastic way to entertain and challenge your friends and family, testing their problem-solving skills and teamwork. Enjoy your archaeological adventure!
Creating your own escape room can be as simple or as complex as you’d like it to be, and with a little bit of creativity, you can transform ordinary objects and rooms into a thrilling game that’ll be the talk of your family or party. So, roll up your sleeves, let your imagination run wild, and start creating a fantastic escape room adventure today! Remember to consider the difficulty level and the interests of your players when designing your escape room and puzzles. This will ensure a fun and engaging experience for everyone.
We hope you enjoyed these escape room ideas and have fun putting together your own escape games whatever the occasion that you’re planning, whether you want to put together easy escape room puzzles or something impossible and challenging to drive the family crazy!
Happy escaping!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.