The popularity of escape rooms has grown exponentially from about 20 in 2014 to more than 2,000 today, according to USA Today. This surge in real-life escape rooms has also created alternatives, such as board games, escape room ideas for classrooms, and virtual experiences.
What exactly is an escape room? Are they suitable activities for kids? What are some virtual escape rooms your kids will love to try? Below is a list of answers to all those questions and more!
What are escape rooms?
Escape Rooms are an immersive game where participants, usually a group, are provided with clues they need to solve to win the game. Each clue is a puzzle, riddle, or challenge to solve as a team.
While not actually locked in a room, some may have an end goal of escaping some kind of building, like a prison. Other end goals may be finding a treasure, stopping a crime, or launching a rocket. Most have a 60-minute time limit.
What are virtual escape rooms?
Virtual Escape Rooms are built on many of the original concepts of the in-person activity. They require participants to solve clues to achieve an end goal. But, Virtual Escape Rooms are played online instead of in-person, and they may not have a time limit.
Librarians, teachers, and even kids using Google Forms have created them, and participants often have to navigate them independently. Using a video component to collaborate with friends and family is up to the participants to set up. The good news is that these are usually free and set up to be kid-friendly!
In-person Escape Rooms or companies have also created virtual experiences. These typically require a subscription or one-time payment. Some come with a guide and are meant to be played at a set time. Others are up to the participants to navigate, and most use online video components such as Zoom to communicate.
Are escape room good activities for kids?
Yes, with age-appropriate themes and clues, Escape Rooms are excellent activities for kids. Escape rooms promote teamwork and collaboration as participants use their unique skills to solve clues.
Escape Rooms also engage problem-solving skills. Developing problem-solving skills has been connected to critical thinking, resiliency, and confidence. These are all important factors in academic success and future career achievements.
Many Virtual Escape Rooms have been created specifically to learn and improve academic skills in engaging ways. Most of all, they are fun and interactive, and kids need that more than ever! They may even inspire your kids to create their own Virtual Escape Room!
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