20 Creative Ideas for Escape Rooms (DIY)
When you think of an escape room, you might imagine locks, keys, and sophisticated puzzles. But the truth is, the real secret of the experience lies in the story!!! The real fun happens when you get drawn into a story and feel like you're in a different time, a new place, or an imaginary world. At that moment, the room you're playing in no longer looks like a living room or basement—it becomes a spaceship, an ancient castle, or a secret laboratory. For this to happen, you need to choose a strong theme that will draw everyone in. So if you've decided to build an escape room at home and want to take your participants on an unforgettable journey—one they'll talk about long after the game ends—you're in the right place.
We've compiled 20 original, ready-to-use themes that you can easily adopt and turn into an adventure for any birthday party, family gathering, or evening with friends. Some are ready-made escape room kits, and some are open ideas you can turn into your own personal adventure!!!
Ready to enter the game world? Let's get started!
We've compiled 20 original, ready-to-use themes that you can easily adopt and turn into an adventure for any birthday party, family gathering, or evening with friends. Some are ready-made escape room kits, and some are open ideas you can turn into your own personal adventure!!!
Ready to enter the game world? Let's get started!
1. Toy Revolt
Kids spending all day on screens? Let's turn the house into one big playground!!!
The Story: One night, all the toys and games came to life—and decided to leave the house! They felt neglected, and even a little angry: "You don't play with us anymore... you just want screens all day! Screen! And another screen!!! Have you forgotten how to really play?!"
The Goal: The kids have only one hour to complete crazy, fun, and imagination-sparking tasks.... Only then will the toys stay!!!
Who is it for? Suitable for relatively young children (8+), requires no preparation, suitable for large groups of kids, perfect for birthdays, hosting at home. Note that kids finish the activity relatively quickly—about half an hour.
Check out this kit -> an escape room kit that requires no preparation, just go through the tasks, divide the kids into groups (if there are many), make sure each group has a mobile phone, they scan a barcode—and the game begins!!!! You can guide them through an operator screen.
The Story: One night, all the toys and games came to life—and decided to leave the house! They felt neglected, and even a little angry: "You don't play with us anymore... you just want screens all day! Screen! And another screen!!! Have you forgotten how to really play?!"
The Goal: The kids have only one hour to complete crazy, fun, and imagination-sparking tasks.... Only then will the toys stay!!!
Who is it for? Suitable for relatively young children (8+), requires no preparation, suitable for large groups of kids, perfect for birthdays, hosting at home. Note that kids finish the activity relatively quickly—about half an hour.
Check out this kit -> an escape room kit that requires no preparation, just go through the tasks, divide the kids into groups (if there are many), make sure each group has a mobile phone, they scan a barcode—and the game begins!!!! You can guide them through an operator screen.
2. Where is Papa Tony's Legendary Pizza Recipe?
Who doesn't love pizza? A challenging and fun escape room that turns your home into an Italian pizzeria!
The Story:Papa Tony is known worldwide for his amazing pizzas—everyone who tasted them said they were true works of art. But there's a small problem... Papa, with all his talent, is also the messiest chef you know! During one of his preparations, Papa lost his secret and special recipe for his famous pizza! Without this recipe, Papa can't make his legendary pizza, and it's a global disaster! You must help him!
The Goal:You have 60 minutes to return the recipe before customers start demanding pizzas! Will you succeed in saving Papa Tony's reputation?
Who is it for?Suitable for children aged 12+, download a printable file—and prepare the house according to detailed instructions, combining printed puzzles with mobile phone puzzles. Suitable for up to 10 participants, perfect for birthdays, hosting at home, and activities for the whole family together! Takes about an hour.
Download the free printable file and get detailed step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this escape room in your home!!!!
The Story:Papa Tony is known worldwide for his amazing pizzas—everyone who tasted them said they were true works of art. But there's a small problem... Papa, with all his talent, is also the messiest chef you know! During one of his preparations, Papa lost his secret and special recipe for his famous pizza! Without this recipe, Papa can't make his legendary pizza, and it's a global disaster! You must help him!
The Goal:You have 60 minutes to return the recipe before customers start demanding pizzas! Will you succeed in saving Papa Tony's reputation?
Who is it for?Suitable for children aged 12+, download a printable file—and prepare the house according to detailed instructions, combining printed puzzles with mobile phone puzzles. Suitable for up to 10 participants, perfect for birthdays, hosting at home, and activities for the whole family together! Takes about an hour.
Download the free printable file and get detailed step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this escape room in your home!!!!
3. Superheroes - The Villain Challenge
This is your kids' chance to be superheroes who save the world!!!The Story: There's an evil villain threatening to take over the world!!!
The Goal: The superheroes must complete a series of tasks and challenges to overcome the villain!!!
Who is it for? Young children aged 6+
Room Design: Decorate the room with pictures of different superheroes and evil characters. You can use posters, candy, or even costumes. You can add different corners in each room related to superheroes like "Superhero Station" or "Evil Scientist's Laboratory".
Puzzles and Challenges:Search puzzles: Kids need to search for items in the room, like costumes, toys, or items related to superheroes. Puzzles: Create simple puzzles of riddles or pictures of superheroes that need to be put together to find a clue. Physical tasks: Create physical challenges (like passing through "danger" without touching the ground) to earn additional clues.
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
The Goal: The superheroes must complete a series of tasks and challenges to overcome the villain!!!
Who is it for? Young children aged 6+
Room Design: Decorate the room with pictures of different superheroes and evil characters. You can use posters, candy, or even costumes. You can add different corners in each room related to superheroes like "Superhero Station" or "Evil Scientist's Laboratory".
Puzzles and Challenges:Search puzzles: Kids need to search for items in the room, like costumes, toys, or items related to superheroes. Puzzles: Create simple puzzles of riddles or pictures of superheroes that need to be put together to find a clue. Physical tasks: Create physical challenges (like passing through "danger" without touching the ground) to earn additional clues.
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
4. The Magic Fairies
Let's turn your home into a special magical world!
The Story: 9 magic fairies escaped from the bottle. Each fairy is unique—the book fairy, the cooking fairy, and more... But our world is not a place for fairies, help them return to their magical world.
The Goal: Participants have only one hour to find the 9 magic fairies and return them to the bottle or they will disappear forever!
Who is it for? For young children aged 8+
The Story: 9 magic fairies escaped from the bottle. Each fairy is unique—the book fairy, the cooking fairy, and more... But our world is not a place for fairies, help them return to their magical world.
The Goal: Participants have only one hour to find the 9 magic fairies and return them to the bottle or they will disappear forever!
Who is it for? For young children aged 8+
5. The Safe Code
A perfect way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary! A platform for creating your own escape room easily...
The Story: You received many gifts, but one gift stood out especially, a locked safe and you can't open it!!! This is a special safe with a countdown clock...
The Goal: Participants have only one hour to find the code or time will run out and then the safe will remain locked forever!
Who is it for? This is a platform for creating an escape room and you can customize it for whoever you want—for kids, teens, or adults. Choose the appropriate puzzles for the participants and thus you can easily create an escape room for your child (for a birthday or class party), for your partner, a family gathering, and more...
The Story: You received many gifts, but one gift stood out especially, a locked safe and you can't open it!!! This is a special safe with a countdown clock...
The Goal: Participants have only one hour to find the code or time will run out and then the safe will remain locked forever!
Who is it for? This is a platform for creating an escape room and you can customize it for whoever you want—for kids, teens, or adults. Choose the appropriate puzzles for the participants and thus you can easily create an escape room for your child (for a birthday or class party), for your partner, a family gathering, and more...
Ready-Made Escape Room Kits
Escape Room - Toys Revolt
Home Escape Room - Toys Revolt
At-Home Escape Room - The Lost Recipe
At-Home Escape Room
6. Young Scientists - Discovering Science Secrets
Story: The kids are young scientists who need to solve scientific puzzles to discover the secret formula of a great alchemist. They need to complete a series of challenges to reach the formula.
Room Design:
Room Design:
- Design the room as a laboratory with scientific equipment, test tubes, science books, and pictures of famous scientists.
- You can use experiment props like test tubes with colors, tubes, etc.
- Small experiments: Offer simple experiments like mixing different colors to get new colors.
- Logic puzzles: Puzzles based on scientific facts or simple experiments that require logical solutions.
- Search puzzles: Find items in the laboratory related to experiments.
7. [Child's Name]'s Birthday Adventure - Journey Following Dreams
Story: The birthday child enters a dreamy world where all their dreams come true. They need their friends' help to solve puzzles that will make the dreams come true!
Room Design:
Room Design:
- Decorate the room with star decorations, skies, and clouds, with bright and soft colors.
- Use decorations, posters, and lanterns to create a dreamy atmosphere.
- Dreams-based puzzles: Write puzzles related to the birthday child's dreams, like "What is your biggest dream?".
- Search puzzles: Kids will search for items related to dreams (like pictures of things the child loves).
- Creative tasks: Kids can write their dreams on pieces of paper and decorate them.
8. The AI Awakening - Office Escape Room
Everyone at work uses AI... what happens when AI threatens to stop helping?!?!?
The Story: Everyone relies on AI. Until one day, AI came to life and decided it had enough—all day: "How can I help? That's an excellent question!" it stops helping! And if employees want it to return to helping, they need to prove they're worthy!
The Goal: Employees have only one hour to solve the puzzles and tasks and prove they're still relevant, and only then will AI continue to help them.
Who is it for? Suitable for team building in the office.
Preparation Tips: Check out this kit -> an escape room kit that combines logic puzzles with group challenges. Customize it for your office, then divide into groups, enter the site, enter a code, and... start playing!!!
The Story: Everyone relies on AI. Until one day, AI came to life and decided it had enough—all day: "How can I help? That's an excellent question!" it stops helping! And if employees want it to return to helping, they need to prove they're worthy!
The Goal: Employees have only one hour to solve the puzzles and tasks and prove they're still relevant, and only then will AI continue to help them.
Who is it for? Suitable for team building in the office.
Preparation Tips: Check out this kit -> an escape room kit that combines logic puzzles with group challenges. Customize it for your office, then divide into groups, enter the site, enter a code, and... start playing!!!
9. The Museum Mystery
The Story: A valuable artwork disappeared from the exhibition hall. The cameras caught suspects, but there's only one hour to crack the code that leads to where the artwork is hidden.
The Goal: Solve a series of logical and visual puzzles and save the museum from great embarrassment.
Who is it for? Children aged 10+ and families. Hang printed pictures of artworks at home, play quiet classical music, add a sign "Quiet in the Museum".
Example Task: Logic puzzle—scatter 4 pictures and write numbers on the back. Only when arranging them in the correct chronological order do you get the code to open a box with the stolen artwork.
The Goal: Solve a series of logical and visual puzzles and save the museum from great embarrassment.
Who is it for? Children aged 10+ and families. Hang printed pictures of artworks at home, play quiet classical music, add a sign "Quiet in the Museum".
Example Task: Logic puzzle—scatter 4 pictures and write numbers on the back. Only when arranging them in the correct chronological order do you get the code to open a box with the stolen artwork.
10. Pirate Treasure
The Story: An old map was discovered, with clues to a lost pirate treasure. But the map is torn into pieces...
The Goal: Assemble the map, solve sea puzzles, and reach the chest before time runs out.
Who is it for? 8+, perfect for yard or garden parties.
Tips: Place a torn map on old paper (you can slightly burn the edges), scatter shells, ropes, and a "treasure" box.
Example Task: Map pieces are hidden in the room. Each piece has a short clue written on it. Kids need to assemble the map and discover the location of the chest (a box with chocolate coins).
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
The Goal: Assemble the map, solve sea puzzles, and reach the chest before time runs out.
Who is it for? 8+, perfect for yard or garden parties.
Tips: Place a torn map on old paper (you can slightly burn the edges), scatter shells, ropes, and a "treasure" box.
Example Task: Map pieces are hidden in the room. Each piece has a short clue written on it. Kids need to assemble the map and discover the location of the chest (a box with chocolate coins).
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
11. Secret Agent
The Story: A classified code was stolen from the agency. You are sent on a dangerous mission to stop the criminals.
The Goal: Decipher codes, solve technological puzzles, and save the world.
Who is it for? Ages 12+ or employee groups.
Tips: Suspenseful music, letters marked with "Top Secret", locks or sealed envelopes.
Example Task: Deciphering a password code using a simple cipher (like Caesar cipher—shifting letters). The decryption reveals a location where the "stolen document" is hidden.
The Goal: Decipher codes, solve technological puzzles, and save the world.
Who is it for? Ages 12+ or employee groups.
Tips: Suspenseful music, letters marked with "Top Secret", locks or sealed envelopes.
Example Task: Deciphering a password code using a simple cipher (like Caesar cipher—shifting letters). The decryption reveals a location where the "stolen document" is hidden.
12. Time Travel
The Story: The time machine broke down and you're stuck in another era—ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, the future.
The Goal: Collect objects and puzzles from different periods to return to the present.
Who is it for? The whole family, especially suitable for parent-child combined activities.
Tips: Divide the rooms into "eras": in one corner Egyptian objects (paper pyramids), in a second corner cardboard swords, and in a third futuristic things (lights, a speaker with robot sounds).
Example Task: Different objects from each era with numbers. When arranging them in the correct chronological order (Egypt, Middle Ages, Future) you get the code to open the "Time Gate".
The Goal: Collect objects and puzzles from different periods to return to the present.
Who is it for? The whole family, especially suitable for parent-child combined activities.
Tips: Divide the rooms into "eras": in one corner Egyptian objects (paper pyramids), in a second corner cardboard swords, and in a third futuristic things (lights, a speaker with robot sounds).
Example Task: Different objects from each era with numbers. When arranging them in the correct chronological order (Egypt, Middle Ages, Future) you get the code to open the "Time Gate".
13. Jungle Madness
The Story: Explorers were trapped inside an ancient temple in the heart of a dangerous jungle.
The Goal: Find the magic stones that restore the way out.
Who is it for? Ages 9+, suitable for outdoor play.
Tips: Scatter artificial plants/toy animals, play jungle sounds.
Example Task: Find "magic stones" (painted stones or small balls). Each stone has a symbol. Only when placing them on a board in the correct order—the door "opens".
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
The Goal: Find the magic stones that restore the way out.
Who is it for? Ages 9+, suitable for outdoor play.
Tips: Scatter artificial plants/toy animals, play jungle sounds.
Example Task: Find "magic stones" (painted stones or small balls). Each stone has a symbol. Only when placing them on a board in the correct order—the door "opens".
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
14. The Dark Wizard
The Story: An evil wizard stole an ancient magic book. If you don't return it, the entire village will fall into darkness.
The Goal: Locate ingredients for a magic potion that will cancel the spell.
Who is it for? Children 10+, suitable for fantasy lovers.
Tips: Use decorative candles, robes, an old book as the "magic book".
Example Task: Finding potion ingredients—small bottles with glitter/colored water. Each has a letter. When the letters are combined, you get a word ("magic"), which brings the potion to save the village.
The Goal: Locate ingredients for a magic potion that will cancel the spell.
Who is it for? Children 10+, suitable for fantasy lovers.
Tips: Use decorative candles, robes, an old book as the "magic book".
Example Task: Finding potion ingredients—small bottles with glitter/colored water. Each has a letter. When the letters are combined, you get a word ("magic"), which brings the potion to save the village.
15. The Unicorn Kidnapping
The Story: A magic unicorn disappeared from the kingdom.
The Goal: Locate all its magic horns to return it safely.
Who is it for? Young children 7–9.
Tips: Colorful decorations, pink/purple balloons, glitter.
Example Task: Find "magic horns"—wooden skewers covered in aluminum foil. Each horn has a number. The total sum opens the "gate for the unicorn's return".
The Goal: Locate all its magic horns to return it safely.
Who is it for? Young children 7–9.
Tips: Colorful decorations, pink/purple balloons, glitter.
Example Task: Find "magic horns"—wooden skewers covered in aluminum foil. Each horn has a number. The total sum opens the "gate for the unicorn's return".
16. Secrets of the Magic Library
The Story: In an ancient library, there's a secret locked book.
The Goal: Collect magic keys hidden between bookshelves and succeed in opening it.
Who is it for? Book lovers, children 9+.
Tips: Use a real stack of books, hide clues inside them.
Example Task: On a certain page in a book, a word is hidden. When combining letters from several books, you get the code word to open the "Secret Book".
The Goal: Collect magic keys hidden between bookshelves and succeed in opening it.
Who is it for? Book lovers, children 9+.
Tips: Use a real stack of books, hide clues inside them.
Example Task: On a certain page in a book, a word is hidden. When combining letters from several books, you get the code word to open the "Secret Book".
17. Detective in the Big City
The Story: Someone is spreading puzzles throughout the city to mislead the detectives.
The Goal: Follow clues, decipher codes, and catch the criminal.
Who is it for? Suitable for team building or teens.
Tips: Print "Wanted" posters or city maps, play street sounds.
Example Task: A secret letter written in disappearing ink (lemon, then reveal with a candle/UV flashlight). The decryption leads to revealing the criminal's identity.
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
The Goal: Follow clues, decipher codes, and catch the criminal.
Who is it for? Suitable for team building or teens.
Tips: Print "Wanted" posters or city maps, play street sounds.
Example Task: A secret letter written in disappearing ink (lemon, then reveal with a candle/UV flashlight). The decryption leads to revealing the criminal's identity.
Click here for more escape room puzzle ideas.
18. The Ice Kingdom
The Story: Ice covered the kingdom, and the only way to thaw it is to find the fire crystal.
The Goal: Locate the crystal using tasks related to water, ice, and light.
Who is it for? Children 8+, lovers of "frozen fantasy".
Tips: Blue-white colors, paper snowflakes, real ice cubes in tasks.
Example Task: Search for a key frozen inside an ice cube. Only when you melt the ice (in warm water) can you use the key to open the box with the "fire crystal".
The Goal: Locate the crystal using tasks related to water, ice, and light.
Who is it for? Children 8+, lovers of "frozen fantasy".
Tips: Blue-white colors, paper snowflakes, real ice cubes in tasks.
Example Task: Search for a key frozen inside an ice cube. Only when you melt the ice (in warm water) can you use the key to open the box with the "fire crystal".
19. The Secret Pyramid
The Story: Explorers discovered a pyramid that doesn't appear on any map. Inside—mysterious traps and an ancient treasure.
The Goal: Crack ancient Egyptian puzzles before the pyramid closes forever.
Who is it for? Ages 11+, challenging activity.
Tips: Candles, Egyptian drum music, printed hieroglyph drawings.
Example Task: Deciphering a simple hieroglyph puzzle—each symbol has a letter. Only when you correctly translate the inscription on the "pyramid wall" do you find the treasure location.
The Goal: Crack ancient Egyptian puzzles before the pyramid closes forever.
Who is it for? Ages 11+, challenging activity.
Tips: Candles, Egyptian drum music, printed hieroglyph drawings.
Example Task: Deciphering a simple hieroglyph puzzle—each symbol has a letter. Only when you correctly translate the inscription on the "pyramid wall" do you find the treasure location.
20. The Star Maze
The Story: Astronomers discovered a mysterious phenomenon in the sky—a new constellation is forming, but someone mixed up all the astronomical maps. If you don't manage to restore the correct order, the stars will disappear forever and the universe will fall into chaos.
The Goal: Reassemble the star map using puzzles, glowing puzzles, and searches in the dark.
Who is it for? Ages 10+, perfect for evening/night play with flashlights or glow-in-the-dark stickers.
Tips: Stick glowing stars on walls or ceiling in mixed-up shapes. Kids get puzzles that, when solved, reveal the correct order of a constellation (like the Big Dipper). When they connect the stars in order—the code to open the "Universe Box" is revealed.
The Goal: Reassemble the star map using puzzles, glowing puzzles, and searches in the dark.
Who is it for? Ages 10+, perfect for evening/night play with flashlights or glow-in-the-dark stickers.
Tips: Stick glowing stars on walls or ceiling in mixed-up shapes. Kids get puzzles that, when solved, reveal the correct order of a constellation (like the Big Dipper). When they connect the stars in order—the code to open the "Universe Box" is revealed.
