Puzzles

The puzzles are the best part of any escape room. The puzzles used for an escape room tend to differ from those you might find in, say, a book of crossword or Sudoku puzzles. Where the mechanisms to solve a crossword puzzle are roughly the same from one to the next, each escape room puzzle is different. You won’t know how to solve an escape room puzzle at first; you might not even recognize it as a puzzle right away. The trick to the best puzzles requires lateral thinking to use objects and information in abnormal ways.

These pages provide suggestions on puzzles you might use for your own escape rooms.

Hidden Messages Hide a code or a message in what at first looks like a normal message.
	Highlight Letters Highlight letters using bold, colors, or other font changes.
	Capital Letters The capital letters in the message don’t follow grammar. That’s because they spell out a secret.
	Numbers for Letters Hide a number code by replacing letters in a message with similar looking numbers.
	Number Words Numbers that naturally belong in a message form a code.
	Rotated Letters Spell out a secret word by rotating or flipping letters.
	Misspellings Hide a phrase in a note by intentionally misspelling words.
	Code-Word Lookup A meaningless message reveals a clue when paired with a separate list of code words.
Ciphers A simple way to hide a message is to use a cipher to turn text into gibberish.
	Alphabetic Substitution Make a table converting each letter to another letter. Reverse the process to get the message back.
	Symbol Substitution Decode a sequence of symbols by replacing each one with a number or letter.
	Pigpen Cipher A particular cipher that uses grids to define a unique symbol for each letter.
	Morse Code Use the classic code of dots and dashes to spell a message.
	Braille Leverage this alphabet for sightless reading to encode a message in a pattern of dots.
Paper and Pencil Incorporate classic written puzzles to find larger puzzles in the escape room.
	Crossword Lookup Use the solution of a crossword puzzle as a word lookup to find a code.
	Horizontal Fill In Solving for words in a list reveals a crosswise code word.
	Symbol Algebra Make a simple algebra problem with symbols instead of letters.
	Word Find Hide a code in a word find puzzle.
	Nonogram Use logic to fill in squares that reveal a code.
Decoder Devices Decrpyt a message using a unique decoder device.
	Grid Lookup Find a sequence on a map by looking up grid coordinates.
	Invisible Ink A black light reactive pen and a UV flashlight reveal hidden messages.
	Paper Segment Display A template of a seven-segment display reveals numbers in an odd pattern.
Mirror Images Players have to reflect an image to get the proper code.
	Reflected Code A normal-looking code is reflected to reveal the real code.
Hiding Places Where to hide (and not hide) objects in a room.
	Unfair Hiding Places Places where players should not be expected to find clues.
	Underneath Hide a clue underneath an easy to move object.
	Underside Stick a clue to the bottom of an object.
	Tea Light Message A message magically appears as a candle warms up.
	Maps Provide a map of the room to find a well hidden object.
Mazes The players must find and navigate a maze.
	Follow Path Follow the correct path through the maze and collect the codeword as you go.
	Maze Directions Follow the path of a maze with a directional lock.
	Map Trace Let players be globetrotters as they follow a path on a map.
Misdirection With a little misdirection and a lot of overthinking, players miss the obvious answer.
	Literal Code The message literally gives a code, but the context implies a different meaning.
	Red Herring Throw in a fake clue or two to throw players off track.
	Pointless Form The online form is impossible. Follow a link to the real data.
Construction A code is revealed when something is constructed by putting pieces together.
	Jigsaw Holes The missing pieces in a jigsaw puzzle reveal a code.
Unlikely Tools These puzzles are solved by using an object as a tool in an unlikely way.
	Magnet Fishing Use a magnet to retrieve an out of reach key.
Orders and Arrangement Place items in the correct order to reveal the code.
	Stick Word Grid A group of sticks with letters form a message when arranged correctly.
	Groovy Blocks The grooves in blocks don’t seem to align, until you stack them.
	Cup Cryptex A cryptex is formed with everyday Styrofoam cups.
Qr Construction Put together a QR code to get the next clue.
	Jigsaw QR Make a jigsaw puzzle by cutting a QR code that players must reassemble.
	QR Fold In Complete a QR code by using simple Origami folds.
	QR Cube Solve a 3D rotating cube puzzle to expose a QR code.
	Fold Back QR A sheet of paper must be folded backwards to line up a QR code.
Simple Machines Simple machines can add some dynamic components.
	Hook Pulley A hook and some string form a simple gravity-driven pulley mechanism.
	Hanging Boss The main antagonist is revealed and then defeated.
Miscellany Puzzles that do not fall into any of the other categories.
	Sketch Directions Players must “sketch” a pattern on a directional lock.