8 Reasons Why You Should Use Escape Room Games in Your Classroom

1. Engaging and Fun. An escape room game places students in a situation that prompts them to quickly become part of a scenario. If students are unable to complete the tasks given them in time, they risk never escaping the new world they have entered. These games are exciting. Students are not just given a worksheet and asked to complete problems; they are immersed into a game that requires thinking, moving, and collaboration.

 

2.  Teamwork is a Must. Often, these games are played in small groups of 4-5 people. Students must learn to rely on one another, as well as share their own talents with the group. These games cannot be played alone. One student may be good at reading clues, while another might understand puzzles quickly. As students learn to help each other, they will be able to master the game, and escape in time. These games are not for one player, but meant to encourage team participation.

 

 

3. Get Kids Thinking. Don’t throw another boring paper at your students, instead, get creative and set an escape room up. Escape room games help exercise critical thinking skills as students solve puzzles, riddles, and clues. For instance, in my Cracking the Classroom Code™ games, students will be asked word problems, be given riddles, puzzles, and more. In some cases, students must be asked to open their envelopes in a specific order. Students must figure out what that order is, so they can escape correctly. Also, clues are hidden throughout the classroom. By reading the clues, students must brainstorm together, and figure out where to find their next envelopes.

 

 

 

4. It’s Challenging. Escape room games are unique. They require students to think outside the box, and problem solve in new ways. Students will be thinking in different directions, while discovering skills they may not have known they had. Instead of grinding away at a worksheet, students can challenge themselves in such a way that they won’t even know they are learning! Students are not just memorizing facts, or practicing a skill, they are applying what they learn, and using it to solve problems.

 

5. Hands-on Learning. These games allow students to manipulate clues, and work with their hands. Many games require manipulatives, puzzles, or other materials, so students can have hands-on learning, that turns into minds-on learning.

 

6. Imagination. Escape room games require lots of imagination as students are thrown into a pretend scenario. However, the more they get involved, the more fun they will have. If students pretend there really is a band of pirates taking over their classroom, the pressure to escape becomes fun, challenging, and exciting. All of a sudden, students are racing to finish their clues and problems, not because they have to, but because they want to.

7. Social Interaction. These days, kids are inundated with ways to interact on the web, but not so much in person. Students are more concerned about online “likes,” than impressing the person next to them. Escape games give students the opportunity to interact with their peers. These games provide a comfortable and entertaining atmosphere, where kids don’t need to feel forced to interact. Instead, they feel like they need to, because they all have a common goal of escaping the scenario at hand.

8. Technology Integration. Many escape game rooms provide a technology component. This is a fun way to hook students, and appeal to their interests. For instance, my Cracking the Classroom Code™ games have the option to use QR codes. Students must scan the QR codes and make sure their answers match the ones on the codes. Otherwise, students will need to rework the problem. An iPod, iPad, or other device that has a QR scanner is needed for the QR code component. However, my games have an option provided that does not use QR codes as well.

 

 

 

So, be sure to try an escape room with your class today! What is one of the most AMAZING qualities of my Cracking the Classroom Code™ games? Once you have played one game, you can play them all. Each game is unique, but the template of the game remains the same. So, if you play one game with your students, you can play a second one, but still create a whole new experience. Students will be familiar with the rules, engaged, and begging for more.

Find my Cracking the Classroom Code™ escape games {here}!