Looking for a way to make learning exciting? Then look no further than escape room print outs! These immersive activities have taken the world by storm, and for good reason. They encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving – all skills that are essential for our littlest learners.
The best part? You don’t need a fancy setup to create an escape room experience in your classroom. There are tons of amazing escape room print pdfs available online, many of which are completely free!
I’ve shared tons of them!
What is purposeful play?
While escape room printables are a blast, they can be even more powerful when used as a tool for purposeful play. But what exactly is purposeful play?
In a nutshell, purposeful play goes beyond pure entertainment. It incorporates fun activities that are designed to target specific developmental skills in children. These printables tick all the boxes for purposeful play because they:
Encourage Problem-Solving: Escape rooms require critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to crack the codes and complete the challenges. As your students work together to decipher the riddles, they’re honing these essential skills in a fun and engaging way.
Boost Teamwork and Communication: These activities are best tackled collaboratively. Students need to communicate effectively, share ideas, and work together to reach a common goal.
Support Early Literacy Skills: Many escape room printables, like the ones we discussed, incorporate riddles and hidden codes. Deciphering these codes strengthens letter recognition, rhyming skills, and basic reading comprehension.
What I Wish I’d Done End of Year as a Teacher
Another year in kindergarten has come to a close, and as I watch my little learners skip off for summer break, a wave of bittersweet emotions washes over me.
Here are some keepsakes I use each and every year:
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These bright faces have filled my classroom for the past year, and saying goodbye, even temporarily, is always a touch wrenching. Here are 15 things I wish I could have done for them before they left:
- I wish I had given each child one last high five. Those little hands reaching for mine always brought a smile to my face.
- I wish I had told them all how proud I am of their growth. From hesitant first steps into the classroom to confident storytellers and problem-solvers, they’ve come so far!
- I wish I had snuck in one more round of “Go Fish!” during clean-up time. Their infectious laughter made even the tidiest of tasks a joy.
- I wish I could have helped them write one last heartfelt note to a classmate. Witnessing their budding friendships has been a highlight of the year.
- I wish I had read them just one more silly story with funny voices. Their faces lighting up with each outrageous character always warmed my heart.
- I wish I had shown them a sneak peek of the next year’s classroom theme. I can’t wait to see their eyes light up in September!
- I wish I had given them all a hug goodbye. (Of course, after checking with parents for permission first!)
- I wish I had told them to keep singing those silly songs they made up at playtime. Their creativity never ceases to amaze me.
- I wish I had documented one last masterpiece from each child. Their artwork is a window into their imagination, and I cherish them all.
- I wish I had reassured them that even though they’re moving on, they’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
- I wish I had reminded them to keep practicing their reading and writing skills over the summer. Learning never stops!
- I wish I had told them to use their newfound problem-solving skills to tackle any challenges they might face.
- I wish I had reminded them to be kind and helpful, just like they’ve been all year long. The world needs more of that!
- I wish I had shown them a picture of our class together and told them to hold onto the memories we made. Kindergarten is a magical time they’ll never forget.
- I wish I could tell them how excited I am to see all the amazing things they’ll accomplish next year, wherever their journey may take them.
As they head into first grade, a part of me will miss their little faces terribly. But the joy of knowing they’re ready for their next adventure fills me with immense pride. Here’s to a fantastic summer break, my little learners. See you all soon!
Purposeful Play with Escape Room Print Outs
Here are some additional ways to ensure your escape room printables become a purposeful play experience:
>>> See the graduation escape room print outs here.
Connect to the Curriculum: Align the escape room theme with what you’re currently learning in class. For example, if you’re studying shapes, create an escape room where the riddles involve identifying different shapes.
Provide Differentiation: Cater to different learning styles by offering a variety of clues and activities within the escape room. This ensures all students can participate and feel successful.
Celebrate the Journey, Not Just the End: While solving the final puzzle is exciting, focus on the process of working together and overcoming challenges. This reinforces the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
By incorporating these ideas, you can transform escape room printables from a simple activity into a powerful tool for purposeful play.
So next time you’re looking for a way to make learning fun and engaging, consider giving escape rooms a try! Your students will be thanking you (and their brains will be thanking you too!).
Graduation Escape Room Printables
This week, I created a fantastic bundle of free printable escape room pdfs with a graduation theme – perfect for celebrating the end of the school year! It includes a series of riddles hidden in secret codes.
When I introduced them to my class, let’s just say they were hooked!
Here’s why these escape room printables are a win-win for your first graders:
- Engaging Theme: The graduation theme resonated with my students. They were so excited to “unlock” the secrets of moving up to second grade!
- Hidden Code Riddles: These were a fun twist on traditional riddles. The kids had to crack the code first, which added an extra layer of challenge and kept them guessing.
- Perfect for All Learners: The riddles were designed with younger children in mind, focusing on basic skills like color recognition, counting, and rhyming. Every student in my class was able to contribute and feel successful.
How to Use These Riddles in the Classroom
Here are a few tips on how to incorporate these escape room printables into your classroom routine:
- Set the Stage: Transform your classroom into a graduation-themed escape room. Decorate with balloons, streamers, and pictures of happy graduates.
- Introduce the Challenge: Explain to your students that they’ve been “locked in” and need to solve the riddles to graduate (move on to the next activity!).
- Divide and Conquer: Split your class into small groups and distribute the riddle printables. Encourage teamwork and communication as they work together to crack the codes.
- The Grand Reveal: Once all the riddles are solved, gather the class together and reveal the “graduation prize” – it could be anything from a small treat to extra playtime!
These free printable escape room pdfs are a fantastic way to make learning fun and engaging.
They provide a memorable learning experience that your students will be talking about long after the school year ends!
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your escape room adventure today!
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