Digital Escape Rooms
I have a love/hate relationship with technology. We have digitally native kids and they have an amazing wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, but they also seem to have screens in front of them all of the time. They aren’t the only ones either, you are reading this on a screen, right? Before you ban screens completely, remember that technology can be entertaining and even educational. The reality is that using technology is a basic life skill – so I suggest we use it to our advantage.
I started using escape rooms to review materials and get kids engaged in 2018 and I’ve been hooked. I’ve always loved mysteries and hosted a few kids’ mystery parties so I knew I could get the kids to buy in to solving puzzles and working through clues.
Escape Rooms for Kids
The kids seem to love it and it can even make the driest topic more interesting. As a teacher, I love using escape rooms because I feel like each group approaches the puzzles differently and it allows for a great way to interact with kids on a small group level as coaches rather than the old fashioned “sage on the stage” mentality. Kids LOVE learning alongside adults, so I love doing escape rooms with my kids when possible.
Want to make your own escape rooms?
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Looking for steps to create your own digital escape room? Click HERE
They can also be a great addition to a party or family game night – everything doesn’t have to be traditionally educational. Escape room theme ideas vary as much as the people creating them. I personally love using holiday and seasonally themed escape rooms with my family.
I’m a big advocate for DIY escape rooms because if I’m shelling out the money to go to an escape room – that limits how often we can do it. If I find something online that is affordable or just make it myself then it can be a more regular part of the routine. We all know that learning how to play a game is the worst part.
There are three basic types of DIY escape rooms either physical (with codes and/or physical locks ), digital (using technology to set the stage and execute the room), or a combination. I’ve talked a lot about the types of puzzles and how we use escape rooms in the past for both education and just fun. I want to tell you how to implement digital locks and other components into your toolbox.
I’ve discussed physical escape rooms, before so let’s talk a little more about digital escape rooms (aka digital breakouts)
What is a digital escape room?
It is exactly what it sounds like it is – running an escape room on a digital platform. Rather than setting up physical puzzles which can take time, money, has printing costs, and may require props. A completely digital escape room uses technology (phones, tablets, or computers) to run through the scenarios to solve the puzzle.
The clues are completed by solving digital locks.
Typically, these are just locks in a form that must be answered correctly to unlock the next clue (or set of clues).
This is often accomplished using user-friendly google forms.
Check out a walkthrough of my free Halloween digital escape room.
>Looking for free digital escape rooms? Free Digital Escape Room sample given as a gift when you subscribe. Enter Information below.<
What does a digital escape room look like?
Anything you want. It can include video, slides, documents. The key to digital escape rooms is that you will need a code to get to the next level. You can use google docs, slides, or even send videos via email – if you like.
If you’re going for DIY escape room puzzles, I suggest you check out my escape room puzzle ideas.
Like any technology use, there are pros and cons.
Digital Escape Rooms – the Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Can be done individually or in groups
- Easy execution (as long as technology is playing nice)
- Can be very immersive
Cons
- Sometimes it is more engaging to have something other than a device in front of you.
- Groups can be easily taken over by a single person if there is one device per group
- Technology can fail
- Can be hokey and boring
What about digital breakouts?
Digital breakouts are really just another name for a digital escape room. You can grab an example of a digital escape by entering your information below. This is a quick sample, but gives you can idea of what you can do.
Which do I suggest?
I think it is really up to your preference and the time you have. My favorite is probably either physical rooms or hybrid escape rooms that use digital and physical components, but I’ve used all three types and had kids enjoy all 3.
