It all started with me locked in a fake haunted hotel room, trying to crack a code before time ran out.
No, this isn’t a dream or a metaphor for teaching in April. I was doing a real escape room with friends, and as we struggled to figure out how three brooms + a chandelier = 2841, I had a thought:
“This is exactly the kind of chaos my students would love… and maybe even learn from.”
So naturally, I brought it to science class. Minus the haunted hotel vibes.
And let me tell you: it was the best review game I’ve ever used.
Turning an Escape Room Into a Review Game
The brilliance of escape rooms? They trick you into thinking. You’re solving puzzles, decoding clues, and applying knowledge, while racing the clock and bonding with your team.
Translation: perfect for middle schoolers.
Here’s how I turned my escape room experience into a classroom-friendly, low-prep review game using digital locks:
Step 1: Choose Your Review Content
I picked a unit that my students needed a refresh on… if it can be reviewed, it can be escaped.
Step 2: Create Challenges That Feel Like Puzzles
Each “lock” was a short task:
- Match terms to definitions
- Solve a word problem
- Sort diagrams
- Use a secret code to find the answer
(Think: escape room-lite, with all the rigor but none of the screaming in a dark room.)
For each challenge, the answer unlocked a digital code (I use Google Forms with response validation—it’s so easy, even pre-caffeine me can set it up).
Step 3: Add Story (Optional but Fun)
I threw in a little themed storyline. It sets the tone and gives them a reason to try to escape.
Corny? A little.
Effective? Absolutely.
Step 4: Let the Teams Loose
I grouped students in teams of 3–4, gave each team a Chromebook and their first challenge, and hit start on the timer.
And then… magic.
They were debating answers, rereading notes, helping each other, actually engaging with the material.
I didn’t even have to fake enthusiasm. They were in it. I was just walking around, sipping my coffee, watching the science unfold.
Why It Worked
- Built-in collaboration (without forcing awkward group work)
- Rigor without eye rolls
- Competitive, but in a fun way
- No extra materials needed (just a few digital locks and my existing review questions)
Want to Try It Without Losing a Weekend?
I’ve created ready-to-go science escape room reviews that come in a no-prep, fully digital version, or a printable version that you can use alongside the digital locks.
Perfect for those weeks when you want to review without losing your mind (or your planning period).
Check out my Science Escape Rooms if you’re into easy prep + high engagement.
Final Thoughts
The best part?
I didn’t have to beg them to review.
I didn’t have to bribe them to focus.
I didn’t even have to grade it (hello, self-checking).
So if your review days are starting to feel like Groundhog Day with flashcards… try a classroom escape room. You’ll never go back.
Read more about the Science Behind Escape Rooms and 3 Things you are doing Wrong in your Escape Room.
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