Halloween is a thrilling time of year, and you’re probably looking for ways to engage your students while celebrating this spooky season. One fantastic option to consider is doing a Halloween-themed escape room activity in your classroom. Not only is it a fun and exciting experience for your students, but it also promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. In this blog post, we will explore how you can use a Halloween Unlock the Box Mystery with your students.
Why Choose a Halloween Escape Room?
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.
This Halloween Unlock the Box Mystery will encourage teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving. Your students will love working together to solve clues and to get a surprise.
Here are some benefits of doing this special Halloween activity:
1. Engagement: Halloween-themed activities naturally capture students’ attention and enthusiasm. An escape room adds an element of mystery and excitement, making learning more engaging.
2. Teamwork: Escape rooms require students to work together, fostering cooperation and communication skills among your students.
3. Critical Thinking: Solving clues and puzzles in an escape room encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
4. Fun: Most importantly, it’s incredibly fun! It provides a break from traditional classroom routines while still offering educational benefits.
Setting Up Your Halloween Escape Room
Setting up a Halloween escape room may sound intimidating, but it’s really very easy. With just 4 simple steps, your Halloween Unlock the Box Mystery will be ready for your students.
1. Prepare the Materials
Print the grouping cards and a set of clues for each group. Cut the grouping cards apart, and tape them under your students’ desks.
Put the clues into manila envelopes. I like to label the envelopes with the group number and the clue number. That way, I can use them for our next Unlock the Box Mystery.
Put a special prize, like these UpBrands Halloween Zipper Bracelets, inside a toolbox that has a hole for a lock. You can get one toolbox for each group or you can put all the prizes in one toolbox and relock it as each group solves the last clue.
Set 4-digit number locks to match the answer to Clue #4. Use them to lock the toolboxes.
Hide the pumpkins for Clue #2 around the classroom.
Now, you’re ready to start the Unlock the Box Mystery!
2. Make Groups
Have your students reach under their desks to get their grouping cards. They should read the word on their paper and look for classmates who have a word that describes the same Halloween costume. Once they’ve found all the members of their group, give them Clue #1 and have them find a place to work.
3. Have the Students Solve the Clues
The students should work together to solve the four clues. Here’s a breakdown of what they will have to do in each clue:
#1 – Use critical thinking to solve a logic puzzle and match the children with their Halloween costumes.
#2 – Go on a scavenger hunt to find paper pumpkins around the classroom, and unscramble the words on the pumpkins to make a sentence.
#3 – Unscramble the names of common Halloween treats.
#4 – Solve Halloween math problems involving addition, subtraction, and time.
As the students solve each clue, use the Teacher Cheat Sheet to check their answers. If they are correct, hand them the next clue.
4. Unlock the Box
After your students have solved Clue #4, have them use the code to unlock the number lock. Then, they can open the box and get their prize.
Extra Tips for Running Your Halloween Escape Room
- You might want to give your students a time limit to make it more challenging. I usually give my students 45 minutes.
- If a group is really struggling with a clue, you can offer them a hint. When a group gets a hint, they can’t work for the next 2 minutes.
- The Halloween Unlock the Box Mystery is a perfect activity for a Halloween party. It is also a great way to keep your students engaged prior to the Halloween party.
- Once your students do one Unlock the Box Mystery, they will beg to do more. Luckily, there are plenty of others available. Click the links below to discover more.
Using a Halloween Unlock the Box Mystery is an excellent way to engage your students while promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It’s a memorable and fun experience that they will cherish for years to come. So, this Halloween, consider transforming your classroom into a thrilling adventure, and watch your students embrace the spooky spirit of the season while learning and working together.
Need More fun Halloween Ideas?
5 Fun Halloween Activities for Your Classroom
Halloween Read Alouds for Your Classroom
What Do You Think?
What is your favorite engaging Halloween activity to do with your students?
Let me know in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.
Leave a Reply