Putting together an escape room can be a lot of work, especially for a single-use experience. But they can be a great activity for young people. Besides being a lot of fun, here are 5 more reasons to offer an escape room to kids.
1. DEVELOPS PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
Players solve a variety of puzzles, from cryptic messages to riddles to physical puzzles and more. Finding solutions to these problems helps build a player’s problem-solving skillset.
2. DEVELOPS CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Often players must take the answers from different puzzles and combine them to solve a mystery. Analyzing and interpreting clues in an escape room game will help players think critically in an enjoyable format.
3. DEVELOPS INFERENCE SKILLS
Google the word ‘inference’ and you’ll find the definition to be “a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning”. In short, you could say it’s “reading between the lines”.
Players use clues from the game and combine them with their own experience to come to a logical solution.
Inference skills are important for children. It is a high-order skill that gives them greater comprehension.
4. PROMOTES CREATIVE THINKING
Not only do escape rooms help develop problem-solving skills, but they also promote creativity as many puzzles and clues found in these games are not as straightforward as putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Players will often need to think creatively, think outside the box.
5. ENHANCES COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Often in escape rooms, the players divide into smaller groups to tackle different puzzles and search for items and clues. Since there is a time limit, this makes strategic sense.
However, sometimes what one group discovers from a puzzle or clue will be needed by another group on a puzzle they’re working on. Therefore, communication is important when it comes to finishing an escape room game on time.
6. CHALLENGES PLAYERS TO PERSEVERE
Escape room games are challenging in nature. It is the challenge that makes finishing them so rewarding. But, puzzles have a way of being a bit frustrating at times. They test your perseverance, a good trait to have.
7. PLAYERS LEARN TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE
The clock places pressure on players. Life challenges all of us often and in different ways. Learning to deal with pressure in a safe environment is beneficial for anyone.