TeachersFirst's Escape Room Resources
Looking to add some mystery and excitement to your classroom? Digital escape rooms combine critical thinking, problem-solving, and immersive storytelling into engaging educational experiences. We've curated a collection of free tools and resources that make it easy to both play and create digital escape rooms for any subject area or grade level. Whether you're new to educational escape rooms or a seasoned puzzle master, you'll find everything from ready-to-use templates and step-by-step creation guides to inspiring examples that showcase creative ways to transform your curriculum into thrilling digital adventures.

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MLA Digital Escape Room - John S. Bailey Library
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): citations (33), digital escapes (15)
In the Classroom
Before students complete the MLA Digital Escape Room, give them a scavenger hunt worksheet with different citation challenges (such as find the correct MLA format for a book, article, or website). Prepare incorrect MLA citations and display them on the board. Students must identify errors and correct them before the teacher does. After completing the digital escape room, students could work in small groups to design their own MLA-themed escape room using Genially reviewed here or Google Forms reviewed here.Online Escape Room Templates - Genially
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), gamification (83), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Create an escape room where students solve riddles and match definitions to unlock clues. Use synonyms, antonyms, or context clues to reinforce vocabulary skills in a fun, interactive way. Design an escape room where students "travel" through different historical events, solving primary source analysis puzzles, decoding ciphers, and answering questions to unlock the next time period. Students must solve multi-step word problems or algebraic equations to advance through a mystery-themed escape room. Each correct answer reveals a key to "unlock" the final solution. Simulate a science experiment gone wrong! Students analyze data, interpret graphs, and solve scientific riddles to find the missing formula or save the lab before time runs out. After reading a novel or short story, students could navigate an escape room based on key events, themes, and character motivations. They solve puzzles related to symbolism, figurative language, or plot twists to escape.Save the Planet Breakout - Genially
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): conservation (102), digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), gamification (83), sustainability (50)
In the Classroom
Customize this escape room to match your curriculum requirements, then share it with students as an in-class activity, homework assignment, or flipped learning activity to review content. Find resources for your escape room by visiting TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Escape Room Resources, reviewed here. Include your completed breakout room as an option on a choice board; learn more about creating and using choice boards by watching the video archive of OK2Ask: Choice Boards for Differentiation, Part 1, reviewed here.How to Make a Digital Escape Room for the Classroom - Nearpod
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): collaboration (93), digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Start the lesson with a quick digital escape puzzle related to the topic. For example, students solve an equation in a math class to reveal a clue, or in an ELA class, they decode a sentence to find a hidden theme. After experiencing a digital escape room, have students design their own using Nearpod or Google Forms, reviewed here and Nearpod, reviewed here. They can create puzzles based on a novel they read, a historical event, or a math concept, reinforcing learning through creation. Combine multiple subjects into one escape room experience. For example, students solve a math puzzle to get a clue, analyze a poem for another, and answer a science question to unlock the final key--blending critical thinking across subjects. Design a digital escape room focused on real-world skills (ex., financial literacy, digital citizenship, or environmental science). Students must apply knowledge to solve practical challenges and unlock the final "escape."Maths Escape Room - Twinkl Educational Publishing
Grades
2 to 8tag(s): angles (52), collaboration (93), counting (60), critical thinking (127), digital escapes (15), equations (119), fractions (160), game based learning (205), negative numbers (13), numbers (120), order of operations (29), problem solving (233), puzzles (149), pythagorean theorem (19), ratios (47)
In the Classroom
Start the class with a mini escape puzzle where students solve a quick math problem to "unlock" the day's lesson. Divide the class into small teams and use a Twinkl math escape room challenge. Teams work through math puzzles, decoding clues to "escape" first. After completing a Twinkl escape room, have students design a math-based escape puzzles for their classmates, reinforcing math concepts through creative problem-solving. Connect escape room puzzles to real-world math applications, such as budgeting for a trip, measuring distances, or calculating time zones, to show students the practical use of math skills.Flags Challenge - Genially
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): continents (33), countries (73), digital escapes (15), flags (18), mysteries (23)
In the Classroom
Share this escape room activity with students as they practice learning flags worldwide. As students participate in the activity, they travel between continents; include this information in your lessons about geography and continents. Extend learning and ask students to research one of the countries in the escape room and share their knowledge using Sway, reviewed here or Canva Docs, reviewed here.Dinosaurs Escape Room - Genially
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): digital escapes (15), dinosaurs (43), evolution (89), fossils (41), game based learning (205), geologic time (12), mysteries (23), timelines (56)
In the Classroom
This escape room is an excellent resource for a playlist or choice board that features lessons about dinosaurs, prehistoric times, or fossils. Find many more resources to include with your lessons about dinosaurs at TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Dinosaur Resources, reviewed here. As a culminating activity, ask students to share their knowledge of dinosaurs using Animate from Audio, reviewed here or use Genially to create an interactive image that includes facts about dinosaurs.History Breakout Template - Genially
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), gamification (83), mysteries (23)
In the Classroom
Create interactive escape rooms to introduce history lessons, review for upcoming quizzes and tests, or as an engaging homework activity. As you create your history breakout, use Genially's AI features to generate questions, remove image backgrounds, and create images. Find free images to use with your breakout activity by browsing through resources available on TeachersFirst Special Topics Page for Free Image Resources, reviewed here.Rebus Generator - festisite
Grades
2 to 8tag(s): digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Have students create rebus puzzles for their weekly vocabulary words or spelling lists using the generator. They swap puzzles with classmates to solve, reinforcing word meanings in a fun way. Students write a short story or paragraph and replace keywords with rebus puzzles. Classmates decode the rebus to reconstruct the whole story. Use rebus puzzles as hidden clues in a classroom escape room or scavenger hunt. Students must solve them to unlock the next challenge, incorporating problem-solving and critical thinking.Virtual Escape Room Tools - VirtualEscapeRooms.org
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): collaboration (93), digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Use the Virtual Escape Room Timer to create a themed escape room review for any subject. Set up puzzles using the Caesar Cipher Creator or Emoji Secret Message Maker, and have students work in teams to "escape" by answering questions correctly. Assign students a Secret Agent Name using the generator, then have them write a creative short story or historical journal entry from the perspective of their agent, incorporating key vocabulary or concepts from the lesson. After studying historical codes (ex., the Caesar cipher in Ancient Rome), students create a secret messages using the Caesar Cipher Creator and challenge their classmates to decode them. Use the Team Name Generator to form groups, then have teams design a digital or physical logo using Leonardo.ai, reviewed here and a motto that reflects the subject matter they're studying, such as a "Math Masters" group solving real-world math challenges.OK2Ask: Digital Escapes with Free Microsoft Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Embark on an exciting...more
Embark on an exciting journey into the realm of digital escapes! In this workshop, you'll discover the power of using a variety of free Microsoft tools to incorporate digital escape rooms into your teaching. Using Microsoft Sway as our foundation, we'll design a narrative that guides students through a series of puzzles and tasks that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped to design your own digital escape experiences that you can easily integrate into your curriculum. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explain the educational benefits of digital escape rooms. 2. Design a basic digital escape room using Microsoft Sway. 3. Share and collaborate with colleagues on digital escape room ideas. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital escapes (15), Microsoft (80), professional development (385)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Digital Escapes with Genially - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Looking for a fun...more
Looking for a fun and engaging way to teach a lesson? Digital Escapes made using Genially will fit the bill. Digital Escapes are online versions of immersive games where teams discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks to escape from the game site. They're an exciting, fun, and effective learner-centered teaching strategy you will reach for again and again. Learn how to implement this instructional strategy in your classroom and about the many benefits of this approach, such as developing problem-solving skills, fostering a growth mindset, encouraging collaboration and teamwork, and promoting access to content knowledge. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand Digital Escapes as a learner-centered instructional strategy; 2. Explore a collection of Digital Escape examples to understand how to use this strategy with students; and 3. Plan for the use of Digital Escapes in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital escapes (15), professional development (385)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Digital Escapes with Google - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Looking for a fun...more
Looking for a fun and engaging way to teach a lesson? Digital Escapes made using Google tools will fit the bill. Digital Escapes are the online version of immersive games where teams discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks to escape from the game site. They're an exciting, fun, and effective learner-centered teaching strategy you will reach for again and again. Learn how to implement this instructional strategy in your classroom and about the many benefits of this approach, such as developing problem-solving skills, fostering a growth mindset, encouraging collaboration and teamwork, and promoting access to content knowledge. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand Digital Escapes as a learner-centered instructional strategy; 2. Explore a collection of Digital Escape examples to understand how to use the strategy in the classroom; and. 3. Plan for the use of Digital Escapes in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (74), professional development (385)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.OK2Ask: Microsoft in Education Day - Digital Escapes with Microsoft - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Looking for a fun and...more
Looking for a fun and engaging way to teach a lesson? Digital Escapes made with Microsoft tools will fit the bill. Digital Escapes are online versions of immersive games where teams discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks to escape from the game site. They're an exciting, fun, and effective learner-centered teaching strategy you'll reach for again and again. Learn how to implement this instructional strategy in your classroom and about the many benefits of this approach, such as developing problem-solving skills, fostering a growth mindset, encouraging collaboration and teamwork, and promoting access to content knowledge. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand Digital Escapes as a learner-centered instructional strategy; 2. Explore a collection of Digital Escape examples to understand how to use the strategy in the classroom; and. 3. Plan for the use of Digital Escapes in instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): gamification (83), Microsoft (80), professional development (385)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Microsoft Forms - Microsoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (147), polls and surveys (49), spreadsheets (23)
In the Classroom
Discover the benefits of using Microsoft Forms in your classroom to create surveys for parents and students at the beginning of the year to learn about student interests, create parent volunteer lists, and much more. Create a sign-in and sign-out sheet for classroom library materials, including books and digital equipment. Use Microsoft Forms to set up and collaborate on lesson plans, including checkboxes to standards, materials needed, and covered content. Microsoft Forms is perfect for assessment - create online quizzes and exit tickets. Have students use Microsoft Forms to prepare and submit reading logs, brainstorm and collaborate with fellow students, create "choose your own adventure" stories, or schedule reading and writing conference times. Use Microsoft Forms to set up and share rubrics for any project, have students complete the rubric, and turn it in with any completed assignment. Use the practice mode feature to build student confidence by providing practice and review materials before final tests. The uses for Microsoft Forms are as unlimited as your imagination; this is a must-have tool for all classrooms!Room Escape Maker - doctorfou.com
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): game based learning (205), gamification (83), makerspace (40)
In the Classroom
Increase student engagement in any subject through this form of gameplay! Create games to introduce main concepts within the escape room. Ask students to create a game using the information they have learned to share with fellow students. Before creating a game, have students map out information and strategies they will include in a blog format using a tool like edublogs, reviewed here. Ask fellow students to share comments describing their problem-solving process as they try to escape the room.Desmos Classroom Activities - Desmos, Inc
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): calculators (36), charts and graphs (171), equations (119), problem solving (233), transformations (12)
In the Classroom
Use the Desmos calculator in place of expensive graphing calculators that many students may not have. Be sure to provide the link on your teacher page or wiki for easy access. Before assigning tasks in your 1:1 classroom, check for access on devices. Some tasks work on all devices; others may not work on mobile devices. These activities are perfect to accompany any graphing tasks. Assign more difficult tasks to higher achieving students, then ask them to create video explanations of their work using an online tool such as Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here, or Vibby, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as SchoolTube, reviewed here. Visual learners will love the activities on this site as they learn math vocabulary and concepts.Google Forms - Google
Grades
K to 12tag(s): polls and surveys (49), spreadsheets (23)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the flexibility of Google Forms to create surveys for parents and students at the beginning of the year to learn about student interests, create parent volunteer lists, and much more. Create sign in and sign out sheets for classroom library materials including books and digital equipment. Use Google Forms to set up and collaborate on lesson plans, include check boxes to standards, materials needed, and covered content. Google Forms is perfect to use for assessment purposes - create online quizzes and exit tickets. Have students use Google Forms to prepare and submit reading logs, brainstorm and collaborate with fellow students, create choose your own adventure stories, or schedule reading and writing conference times. Use Google Forms to set up and share rubrics for any project, have students complete the rubric and turn in with any completed assignment. The uses for Google Forms are as unlimited as your imagination; this is a must-have tool for all classrooms!Genially - Genially
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), charts and graphs (171), communication (129), digital storytelling (154), gamification (83), images (263), infographics (56), interactive stories (22), multimedia (53), posters (43), video (266)
In the Classroom
Click Create to find a category from which you want your students to work; present several using a projector or on an interactive whiteboard. Show the interactivity to students. Then, create one together as a class to try out the tools (don't forget to name it). Keep it simple or add all the bells and whistles. Preview as you work or return later to complete and publish. Of course, you will want to model and teach appropriate documentation of any sources of images and media you use and to use copyrighted works legally.There are limitless ideas for using Genially in the classroom! Here are just a few: Ask students to create their own Genially as a new way to assess understanding of a concept or unit of study: you could even provide links to images and raw materials they may use (especially if you have students who need extra scaffolding), and they can work with them to sequence, caption, and write about the pieces. After a first project where you possibly suggest "building blocks," the sky is the limit on what they can do. Even the very young can make suggestions as you "create" a whole-class interactive together using a projector or an interactive whiteboard. Consider making a new project for each unit you teach so students can "recap" by visiting the presentation long after the unit ends. Save student projects from year to year as examples, possibly even awarding prizes for "best" examples. Have upper elementary or middle school students create an interactive project to help "little buddies" two or three grades lower to understand a concept.
Sway - Microsoft
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): communication (129), digital storytelling (154), Microsoft (80), multimedia (53), slides (43), visualizations (11)