How to Use Digital Escape Rooms in Your Math Class (and How to Create Your Own)

Let’s be honest—getting students excited about math isn’t always easy.

But when you tell students they’re about to escape a room instead of complete a worksheet? Everything changes.

Over the years, I’ve used both physical and digital escape rooms in my classroom—and they consistently become one of students’ favorite activities. Even my high school students (yes, even Calculus!) get completely into it.

If you’ve been curious about using escape rooms—or even creating your own—here’s exactly how they work and how to get started.

🧠 What Is a Digital Math Escape Room?

A digital escape room is a series of math problems or challenges that students must solve in order to “unlock” clues and eventually escape.

They:

• Increase engagement
• Encourage collaboration
• Turn practice into a challenge
• Work great for review or skill reinforcement

Instead of:

👉 “Complete this worksheet”

Students hear:

👉 “Solve this to unlock the next clue”

That shift alone makes a huge difference.

Digital escape rooms are often built using tools like Google Slides or Google Sites, with a Google Form acting as the “lock” where students enter their answers. 

Start with a background image and build your scene.

Then:

• Add clickable objects
• Hide clues in the image
• Link objects to problems

3. Design the Clues

 

Each clickable item should lead to:

• A math problem
• A riddle
• A short set of questions

Students solve → get a code → move forward

 

4. Build the “Lock”

This is usually a Google Form where students:

• Enter answers
• Unlock the next step
• “Escape” when complete

 

5. Add a Final Win Moment

Always include:

🎉 “You escaped!”

Students LOVE that closure

 

⚠️ The Reality of Creating Your Own

I’ll be honest—creating a high-quality digital escape room takes time. You’re not just writing problems—you’re:

• Designing a flow
• Building a story
• Creating visuals
• Testing links and logic

It’s incredibly rewarding… but also not something most teachers have time to do regularly.

 

💡 How to Use Escape Rooms in Your Classroom

You can use them in so many ways:

• Review before a test
• End-of-unit activity

• Stations/centers
• Homework
• Group competition day
• AFTER testing to keep kids engaged 

They’re especially effective because they:

• Promote collaboration
• Encourage problem-solving
• Break up routine instruction 

 

👀 If You Don’t Want to Build Your Own…

If you love the idea but don’t have the time to create one from scratch, using a ready-made escape room can be a great option. This is a Linear Functions End of Unit Review Escape Room. A unit review escape room is a great place to start since it is where many teachers spend a great deal of time reviewing. Click here to see my other Unit/Year End Review Escape Rooms. 

 

 

💬 Final Thoughts

Whether you create your own or use a pre-made version, digital escape rooms are one of the most effective ways to:

• Increase engagement
• Reinforce key skills
• Make math feel fun again

And honestly… watching students get excited about math? That’s the best part.