No escape room is complete without a variety of engaging, entertaining puzzles. While the exact puzzles you use are tailored to your theme and players’ ages and skill levels, plenty of ideas can be customized to work with your room. We’ve rounded up 75 of the best escape room puzzle ideas, from codes and tasks with props to minigames and clever clues. We also spoke with escape room expert Daniel D’Onofrio for tips on how to create an awesome DIY escape room.
Best Escape Room Puzzle Ideas
- Give players a cipher and a message to decode.
- Scatter pieces of a map of the escape room for players to find and assemble.
- Put an incomplete sudoku puzzle where the remaining numbers are a combination.
- Have players unscramble anagrams to reveal a secret message.
- Hide a key in ice that players must chip away to obtain.
Steps
Word and Logic Puzzles
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Hide keywords in plain text for players to tease out a clue. Include a printed short story that references objects in the room to point players toward what they need to grab or pay attention to. [1] X Research source
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2Include Morse code hints. Have players decipher a message written or recorded in Morse code. Include a guide to what each letter is in Morse code in the room in case players aren’t familiar with it. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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3Add a logic puzzle for players to solve to unveil a clue. Logic puzzles are usually word puzzles or riddles that require you to think carefully to reach the correct conclusion. Make it easier by making the answers multiple choice.
- The answer to the logic puzzle should relate to something else in the room, whether it’s an important object, a password, or directions for another puzzle.
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4Give players a cipher and a message to decode. Shift each letter in a clue message a certain number of spaces forward in the alphabet. Include a cipher explaining how far each letter is shifted and have players decode the message. [3] X Research source
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5Hide numbers in a seemingly unrelated story by mentioning them. Write and print out a short, one-page story that references numbers throughout. If players are wise, they’ll remember these seemingly unrelated numbers and uncover a combination.
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6Use an incomplete sudoku puzzle. Specifically, one where the remaining numbers are a combination. Give the players a writing utensil that’s a different color so they’ll easily remember which numbers they add and which were there at the start.
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7Use a crossword puzzle. Go with a circle-in-the-square format that reveals a clue or secret word. Use an online crossword puzzle generator or craft your own. Put a secret word or clue as the theme that will be revealed by the letters that fill in circles in the puzzle.
Escape Room Puzzles that Involve Props
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Put a certain number of objects players must count. The objects could be anything—books, bananas, stuffed animals. Include a riddle suggesting the number of these objects is a code or password. [4] X Research source
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2Place notes with clues or codes under props. A bowl of fruit or box of dusty books may look like just part of the scenery. However, you can hide small notes under these items for players to find when they search the room. [5] X Research source
- Don’t hide your notes under anything breakable or heavy—you don’t want players to get injured!
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3Hide items in book safes. Make your own book safe or order a hollow book online. Hide a trinket or secret message inside. Place it alongside real books to make finding the hidden item or message more difficult.
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4Place props that are clues in unusual places. For example, if a shoe is a clue in your escape room, place it in the fridge or on a table. Players may infer its significance because it’s out of place. [6] X Research source
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5Use a cipher to refer them to a clue in a book. Write down a clue message with a key word missing. Below the message, list a page number, line number, and word number. Players will check all the books in the room to find the right missing word.
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6Write a message or code on a mirror or whiteboard in permanent ink. Cover up the message with some kind of dirt that won’t erase the ink. Players must wipe the surface clean to reveal the hidden words that can’t be erased.
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7Stick a key to the back of a locked box. This is a frustratingly obvious solution that can be fun to use. This is a good option for a final puzzle since players will be primed to be suspicious after solving your other puzzles.
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8Use a manual electricity generator like a stationary bike . This will power a screen that reveals a clue. Make participants have to exercise on the bike to get the clue. Don’t make it too exerting—only require the minimum amount of electricity.
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9Use a barcode. Purchase a barcode scanner and generate barcodes with specific prices using a free online barcode generator . Print and stick the barcodes onto objects. Make players scan all of them. The total price is a secret combination.
Physical Object Puzzles
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Make players activate a 7-segment display. Include clues players must read to know what numbers to put on the 7-segment display . Then, have them find out how to activate switches to show those numbers. [7] X Research source
- 7-segment displays show numbers in segments. You’ve probably seen them on digital clocks or scoreboards. When all segments are activated, the number “8” shows.
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2Make players use a blacklight to find secret writing. Include a blacklight tool in the room that players can shine around to find a message or riddle that tells them what to do next. Write the message on a wall or whiteboard with UV-visible ink. [8] X Research source
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4Write a message backward so players need a mirror to read it. Place the message somewhere hidden. When players find it, they’ll realize it’s impossible to decipher without a reflective surface. Either add hand-mirror props or a large mirror they can stand by. [10] X Research source
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5Use RFID sensors. Put objects with RFID sensors that have to be placed in the right spot for something to trigger or unlock. If you want a sophisticated puzzle, consider investing in RFID sensors you can attach to objects.
- When the sensors are placed in designated spots, perhaps a sound plays with a clue. Or, perhaps a box opens. Get creative with it!
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6Hide an object in an hourglass vase. That way, players can only grab it by filling the vase with water. Make sure the object (a key, perhaps) is small enough to squeeze through the narrowest part of the vase, but the average person’s hand is too big.
- Place containers or a pitcher of water near the vase and offer a clue so players know what to do.
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7Use a scale. For this one, players will need to use the scale to weigh an object, with the weight being a combination or code. Include a riddle or clue hinting at what they have to weigh. For an added challenge, make them convert the weight to different units to get the code.
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8Attach sticky notes to the ceiling with clues written in small print. Put a magnifying glass or binoculars in the room so players can read these notes from a distance.
Visual and Sensory Puzzles
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Include an audio clip the players must play in reverse. If your players are tech-savvy, they should have no problem reversing the audio. Just be sure to give them a riddle or directions so they don’t waste too much time listening to it backwards. [11] X Research source
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2Incorporate a night vision camera. Place a night vision camera in a small, dark space with a curtain. One player has to reach through the curtain to grab something. Another player guides them by watching the camera’s monitor on the other side of the room.
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3Make players work together on a memory puzzle. When it comes to memorization, splitting up what has to be memorized makes it easier for everyone. Do a puzzle where players must remember a long sequence, like the color of flashing lights, to solve it.
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4Place one out-of-place item with a group for a subtle clue. Players must identify it to find the code written on it somewhere. For example, you might put a variety of yellow fruits and a yellow vegetable. Under the vegetable is a slip of paper with a code.
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5Play snippets of songs and have players guess the titles. Everyone has different tastes in music, so this kind of puzzle tends to be collaborative. Have the first letter of each song title spell out a clue.
- Give hints in case no one knows the song, or place a list of songs in the room that players can use as a reference.
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6Make a light projection puzzle. For this one, one person will have to stand in the way of part of the projection so the others can read a clue. For example, project a string of words that, when blocked in the middle, reveals a new message.
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7Try light- or weight-based sensors. Make each person stand in the corners of the room to trigger sensors that reveal a clue. If you’re willing to set up weight- or light-based sensors, this collaborative puzzle is a fun way to get everyone involved.
- When everyone stands in the right location, have a clue project onto the wall or play over speakers.
- You don’t need sensors, just a camera so you can watch players and trigger mechanisms when they’re in the right place.
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8Use shadows to reveal information. Hang or place an object such that, when a light source is shined at it at the proper angle, a shadow is cast in the shape of a number of letter. You might need multiple objects to achieve the right effect. [12] X Research source
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9Set up an audio file to play a recorded game of Simon Says. Have the actions “Simon” says to do be hints for things the players should do around the room.
Escape Room Puzzles that Require Teamwork
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2Have them unscramble anagrams and find a secret message. Include at least 10 anagrams to encourage players to split up the task with one another—or tackle each one together. [14] X Research source
- An anagram is a word spelled with letters that were rearranged from another word.
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3Hide objects under heavy chests. Make sure the chest is heavy enough that two or more players have to push out of the way together. Don’t include anything too heavy, as you don’t want anyone to get hurt. Fill the chest with books or sand to add weight, and tape a message to the floor beneath it.
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4Use buttons connected to a light source. Require one player to press down a button that powers a light so other players can solve a puzzle on the other side of the room. Label the button so players know what it does when they press it.
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5Hide items out of reach and make players assemble a tool to reach it. [15] X Research source For example, place a key on top of a tall bookshelf. Give players a stick and a magnet they can tie to it to try to fetch the key.
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6Present a long sequence of tasks that must be done in order. Have players split it into parts so each only has to remember part of the sequence. When all actions are done, reward players by delivering them a clue.
- An example of a sequence might be flipping a book upside down, standing on one leg, taking a sip of water, high-fiving everyone in the room, plugging in a random cord, and tapping each corner of the room twice.
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7Have players stand in different fake jail cells. Each cell contains the key to a different cell. They must work together to pass their keys to the other players, likely using broom handles or ramps.
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8Incorporate facts about the players themselves. Make a DIY puzzle that involves the players using details about themselves to solve it. For example, you might make a code that is only spelled out using the first letter of the month each player was born in. Or, you may ask them to add their ages to get a code.
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10Put a time limit on puzzles to encourage players to work together. Give them just a few minutes to assemble a jigsaw puzzle or order objects sequentially. You might even mention in a clue that they should work together to finish the puzzle in time.
Hidden Information Puzzles
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Hide numbers in a picture on the wall. That way, players must scrutinize it to uncover a combination. Either marker the numbers over the picture or create a picture with numbers in it naturally, such as on a sign. [16] X Research source
- You can also hide letters if you’re using a letter combination lock, notes D’Onofrio.
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2Hide letters or symbols in custom wallpaper patterns. Give players a hint that there’s a significance to the wallpaper, such as a riddle challenging them to count how many times a boat shows up. [17] X Research source
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3Tear up a picture to make a fragment puzzle. Print out an image that either shows visually or spells out an important clue for escaping the room. Tear it up and scatter the pieces around the room. Players must reassemble the puzzle to solve it. [18] X Research source
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4Hide the combination for a 4-digit combination lock in the room. Get creative with how you present the combination. You could write it on a hidden scrap of paper, or arrange objects to represent the numbers in the combo. [19] X Research source
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5Write a story about medieval figures. Include characters like knights, kings, queens, pawns, and rooks. The story reveals how pieces should be placed on a chessboard to unlock a clue. When the pieces are in the correct arrangement, deliver a clue.
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6Set the time on a clock to reveal a combination. A clock is one of the most nondescript objects in any room—especially if it’s an analog clock . Before opening the room, arrange the hands to point to a time that’s a combination. [20] X Research source
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7Use a custom jigsaw puzzle to reveal a clue. Order a customized jigsaw puzzle that has an image or long message revealing a clue. Scatter the pieces over a table and mix them up so players have to work to assemble the puzzle. [21] X Research source
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8Tear up a map and scatter the pieces. The map should show the location of a hidden object around the room. Task players to seek out the pieces and put them together correctly to use the map and find their next challenge.
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9Put a clue that’s only visible from a certain angle. Find an anamorphic illusion online. Print it out and create a clue around it. Place it in the room in a spot where players can see it, but have to experiment to find the right angle to view it from.
Elaborate Escape Room Puzzles
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Make players put items in sequential order to receive a clue. For example, leave a popular book series out of order on a shelf. Leave players to figure out that they need to rearrange them in the right order. Once they do, offer them a clue.EXPERT TIPEscape Room ExpertDaniel D'Onofrio, a leading Escape Room Expert and Co-Founder of Adventure Vault, has been creating fun and engaging escape room experiences in South Florida alongside his talented team for over seven years! Adventure Vault is comprised of Daniel’s brother Lucas and his sister-in-law Tamara. This close-knit trio shares a passion for crafting exciting escape rooms that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their background or previous escape room experiences. Adventure Vault is also home to a cutting-edge virtual reality arcade, showcasing the team's dedication to providing unforgettable, enjoyable adventures for all!
Vary the types of puzzles you use. Some people prefer electronic puzzles, while other people prefer manual puzzles where you do things physically. Have a mixture of both to appeal to everybody.
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2Hide an object in a cereal box. The object could be a key or a symbolic thing that relates to another puzzle. Carefully open the cereal box to place it inside, then seal the box with craft glue so it appears unopened. Hint that players need to find the prize.
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3Hide a key or other important object in an ice cube. That way, the players must melt or chip away at the cube to get the clue. Put a mini-fridge in your escape room so the cube stays frozen until it's time to solve the puzzle. Ask players to let it melt or to shatter it by picking at it with a small chisel.
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4Write a message in invisible ink. Write the message with lemon juice on paper. [22] X Research source Give players a clothes iron . [23] X Research source To read the clue, they must run the iron over the paper to heat it.
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5Hide the missing keys of an analog keyboard . The players must find them to enter a password. Buy an old analog keyboard secondhand. Test it to make sure it works and hook it up to a computer where they can enter a password.
- Remove a few keys and hide them around the room in different locations. Make sure the password is stated elsewhere in the room so they know which keys they need to find.
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6Set up a puzzle using mirrors and laser beams. Give players moveable mirrors to place around the room, guiding a laser beam to a sensor. Once the beam is directed to the sensor, have a locked box unlock or a door open into another play area.
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7Make players navigate an RC vehicle through an external maze. You'll be watching its movements on a monitor. Test the vehicle before playing so you know if it needs new batteries or not. Place it in a maze constructed from cardboard boxes or plywood.
- Attach a small camera or phone that’s livestreaming onto the vehicle so the players can see the maze. Put a monitor with the camera’s feed in the escape room.
- When the car reaches the end of the maze, put a code at the final wall in dark ink that they can read through the car’s camera.
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8Create a hidden door behind a bookcase, mirror, or painting. This portal will lead to another escape room space. Just when players think they’ve mastered the escape room, reveal that there’s another set of puzzles they must complete.
Digital Escape Room Puzzles
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Present an emoji cipher that reveals a message. An emoji cipher uses emojis to symbolize a secret message. Get creative with which emojis you use, and add hints. [24] X Research source
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2Create a Google Form with riddles they have to solve. Google Forms are popular templates for digital escape rooms. Set one up with three riddles players must solve (using multiple choice or dropdown menus) to be redirected to another puzzle. [25] X Research source
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3Create a choose-your-own-adventure video where you can click links to other videos to reveal different outcomes. Film a story where things happen differently depending on choices the player makes.
- Link to the different videos at the end of each one so players have options. You can do this on Powerpoint or in the descriptions of YouTube videos.
- Players must follow the right string of videos/events to unlock a code or clue in the final video. [26] X Research source
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4Insert or link to a digital jigsaw puzzle. Jigsaw puzzles can be played online—simply drag and drop them into place with your mouse. Link your players to a custom digital puzzle that spells out an important clue. [27] X Research source
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5Put a story in a Google form with dropdown clues. Put a story in a form where players have to select the right words from a dropdown menu to fill in blanks. The words that fill in the blanks, when read altogether, reveal directions or a hidden message.
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6Link to sites that supposedly provide clues. However, the real message will be hidden in the URL. Throw even the craftiest players off by hiding important strings of numbers or secret words in the URL of the clue page. Give them a hint after a while.
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8Link to an existing digital escape room created by a library. Many libraries have lists of educational and fandom-themed digital escape rooms that are already set up. Play them for fun or use them in the classroom.
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Give players coordinates to plug into Google Maps to find a clue. Challenge their navigational skills by seeing if they know how to use coordinates in a map software. Have the location or building at the coordinates serve as a clue.
- For example, the coordinates could be for a restaurant. That restaurant’s name is the password the player must type in to receive a link to the next puzzle.
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2Use social media. Have players navigate setting up social media accounts to find clues hidden in secret posts or usernames. Engage younger players by creating social media accounts that they must scour for clues to solve the digital escape room.
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3Make a digital scavenger hunt with clickable objects. The objects will be hidden in a picture on a page. Use software like Powerpoint or Google Slides to place clickable links around a messy scene. Attach a document with clues for which objects players must click on to move forward. [30] X Research source
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5Use a maze creator. A maze creator will spell out a hidden message when the maze is correctly solved. While you can’t have players navigate a physical maze, you can create a virtual one filled with letters. The correct maze path follows letters that form a message. [32] X Research source
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6Have players to solve math problems on a digital form or website. For example, set up an Excel spreadsheet with numbers. Have players use formulas in the spreadsheet to manipulate the numbers. Make the solutions the combinations to virtual locks.
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7Use hidden QR codes. Have players scan hidden QR codes that link to video or audio clips with clues. Generate QR codes leading to secure websites where you’ve hidden clues in audiovisual formats. [33] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://basementescaperoom.com/blog/the-most-common-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.thegamegal.com/2018/06/25/diy-escape-room-tips/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Z7mBdGCtq2c?t=24
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Z7mBdGCtq2c?t=40
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.classtime.com/blog/digital-escape-rooms/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/nSed__VUKjc?t=118
- ↑ https://virtualescaperooms.org/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ http://www.teachingabovethetest.com/2021/12/digital-escape-room-puzzle-ideas.html
- ↑ https://basementescaperoom.com/blog/the-most-common-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://basementescaperoom.com/blog/the-most-common-escape-room-puzzle-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/escape-room-ideas/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/how-to-make-an-escape-room/
- ↑ https://escapely.com/how-to-make-an-escape-room/