Secret codes and ciphers, we love them. That won't surprise you. Because let's face it, if you make an Escape Room, there must always be a puzzle with a good secret code. The trick is always to come up with a secret code that is not too easy and that also fits within the theme. Are you going to make a secret code for your children or for an escape room assignment? Then take a look at our list with the 25 best secrets.

Creating a mirroring secret code

This mirror secret code is always fun and not too difficult to create. Everyone has a mirror at home to decipher the text.
How do you create a mirroring text?

Pigpen cipher secret code

You have probably seen this secret code. The funny thing is that it has a lot of different names. But, whatever it's called, this is how it works. Each letter is equivalent to a shape it is in. Sometimes as a box, sometimes with a dot. Are you going to get started with a secret code for children? Then you should not miss this one.

Creating a secret code with sentences without vowels

This secret code sounds very simple. But trust us, kids really enjoy trying to read sentences like this. You have to pay attention when you create it, because sometimes it is quite difficult to write a sentence without a vowel.

Tr t rslf n r cmptr, s wht t ss? 

Sign language as a secret code

For each letter there is a gesture with your hands. It does take some practice to learn this. But it also makes it very special to be able to communicate like this.

If you are going to use it as a game, for example, hang the explanation of the different gestures with the letters somewhere. In addition, make a video with one word or have it portrayed another.

Polybius square

The Polybius square is a coding in which letters and numbers are placed in a 5 by 5 table. This secret code is named after the Greek scholar Polybius, who invented this secret code as early as 200 BC.

The cipher works with coordinates. Which gives you the number first horizontally, then vertically. For example 23 is the letter M. Can you decipher what it says with the diagram below?

53, 43, 13, 45, 21, 42, 54, 34

Matoran alphabet

There are many secret codes with icons that represent letters. Don't ask us why, but we are always very charmed by this Matoran alphabet. Probably because you can use it so beautifully in all kinds of graphic applications. As a cipher, this alphabet is extremely suitable to be used as icons in a graphical application. For example , you can nicely process the circles in a motif and have a secret code deciphered.

Deciphering Emoji Secret Code for Kids

If we then go straight to the secret codes with symbols, then it’s great to do this with emojis. This is especially fun with children. You can send sentences to each other via WhatsApp in order to decipher this secret code.

Braille as a secret code

A great invention to be able to read: Braille! But also very nice to use as a secret code. You can display the dots in different ways to create your secret code. For example, lay down materials in Braille. Or put different colours of pushpin in Braille on a plate. Get creative!

Create code wheel

How to make your own code wheel to decipher a cipher? It really doesn't have to be that difficult. How does it work? Put an encryption somewhere, so you know how to decipher this cipher. Then you can drop a hidden message, which you can decipher by turning the code wheel.

Create Morse code cipher

Morse code was invented as early as 1835, by how could it be otherwise, mister Samuel Morse .. Morse is a code that consists of long and short tones. We then put them down as (short) dots or as dashes. There are several morse generators on the internet to convert the code into sounds. But it is also nice to display the code, for example with lights. This can easily be done, for example, with a flashlight, with which you pass on codes. This way you can make your own creative secret code.

Create SMS code

For the slightly older ones among us, deciphering this cipher will be a breeze. Remember on your old Nokia when you had to type a simple text message. It gave you an RSI thumb! An SMS code works as follows: If you want an A, you click the 1 button once. If you want a B, you click the 1 button twice, etc. Do you know what it says here?

Secret code without spaces

How easily can you read a text without spaces?

That'sactuallyfine.Youcanalsoreadwhatitsayshere.

If you occasionally hide a different capital letter in between, you can make a super fun secret code for children. Simple and funny.

You can create a code language that refers to a passage from a book. Refer to a book you have on your shelf or online. For example, put down the title followed by p18, r5, w3. Then you refer to the 18th page, line number 5 and you take the 3rd word. This way you can decipher a secret sentence with several words from the book.

Semaphore alphabet

If you are scouting or work in the shipping industry, then you are probably familiar with this semaphore alphabet. Normally you will see signals with two flags, which can be held in eight positions. In total there are many different possibilities, which are linked to a letter of the alphabet.

Secret code with wingdings font

We used to make a lot of secrets with this in class. Wingdings. It is a word font, where each letter and number represent a separate symbol. For example, you can even place entire texts and letters as a secret code. But be careful. It's just as easy to crack the computer again. Watch out for little brothers who want to read your secret diary. Do you know what it says here?

From numbers to secret code letters

Another secret code that we all know from primary school. Each letter of the alphabet represents a number. Where a=1, b=2, c=3 etc. If you are going to set up a quest and are looking for a simple secret code to decipher, apply it. Known and successful with every child!

Convert coordinates to ciphers

Do you want to map out a route, with a text linked in cipher code below? Then it is fun to work with the coordinates of a map. Coordinates are often written in latitude and longitude. The latitude goes with N(orth) and S(outh) with a number of degrees between 0 and 90. The longitude is the position E(ast) and W(est). Here the degrees are between 0 and 180 degrees.

Google maps uses decimal degrees without N or S. If you click on a location, you can see what these decimals are. For example, put five of those numbers in a row as a secret code and you can take the first letters of the city as a secret code.

Create code language through a barcode

Barcodes are a super fun way to create a secret code. A barcode is of course also a code language in real life, but in a game or treasure hunt, for example, it is a fun way to decipher a secret code. You can display the barcodes as letters, or convert barcodes to Morse code. Where a thick stripe is a long tone and a thin stripe is a short tone.

Hieroglyphics as a secret code

Unbelievable! Hieroglyphs have been around since 3100 BC. They probably wouldn't have thought it would ever be used as a fun Escape room secret code. Are you going to make this secret code? Note that hieroglyphs use the same character for some letters in our alphabet. For example, the K and the C.

The Vigenère cipher is one of the most difficult codes to decipher. Crypto analysts love this type of ciphers. It works like an encryption, where a secret key word is converted using another (clear) text. This conversion is done in a large table with the alphabet both horizontally and vertically. We will show here a Vigenère example cipher.

You have the 'clear text'. This is actually the outcome of your Vigenère code. We have chosen 'Look in the drawer' here. You shade these letters in the left vertical part. You also have a keyword. In our case 'games'. These letters are in red in the horizontal part. And the secret text, is what comes out. Making the code works like this: First find the L on the left and combine it with the G of games. You get that the R. Continue in this way until you have converted all the letters. Where you use the keyword as often as necessary. Pretty complicated secret huh...

Music notes secret code

Are you going to make a secret code with a group of music lovers? Then you should not miss this one. Musical notes basically go from A to G, but you can of course vary this. Or have missing letters entered in a sentence that does occur with A to G. It takes some creativity, but it's a super fun way to come up with a secret code.

Crack code tap

With the tap code, the letters of the alphabet are in a table, just like with the Polybius square. You can find out the letters by listening or watching how many taps, or 'ticks' there are. In addition, the number of ticks of the vertical row is added first and then the ticks of the horizontal row.

How to make a Caesar code?

The cipher named after Julius Caesar is still widely used. You can also see it under the term ROT. You give a pre-encryption for how much the alphabet changes place. For example ROT3, then the alphabet moves three places. Then A->D, B->E etc. A super old secret code, but still fun and simple to make.

This alphabet has also been used as a cipher for a long time. Because they are such angular shapes, it is ideal for scratching into something. If you are going on a quest in the forest, scratch a hidden code in a trunk (which is on the ground!) to decipher.

HTML colour codes as secret code

Did you know that every colour has its own codes? For example, a colour consists of an RGB code, for example, the blue of these letters has the code #0f72d6 . Want to create a secret code language? Or use a safe code for an Escape Room? Then you can create a colour secret code. For example, use every first letter from a colour code and make a word with it. Do you want to create a secret code with the colour codes? Then make the colour codes here .

Which secret code are you going to make?

Have you become really excited about all those secrets? We are of course very curious how you have used them. Will you let us know? Do you want more tips on how to use these secrets, for example, when making your own escape room?

>> Read our blog on how to make an escape room game yourself .

Kids escape room, popular with your family or for a birthday party

What we find really cool to do is to play escape rooms. We have played quite a lot of rooms already. And yes, fortunately most of them escaped. Well, except for the time I accidentally included the locker key of our coats in the game. Why doesn't that key fit anywhere? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

What is an escape room?

In short for those who don't yet know what an escape room is: An escape room is a location where you are locked up together with a group of friends. By solving puzzles and codes in different rooms, you need to escape as quickly as possible. Many of the rooms have a special storyline in which everything happens. Only by working well together, it will usually be possible to escape. This is also the most amazing thing about an escape room. Because working together turns out to be quite difficult in practice. Adrenaline does the strangest things to you. You immediately see all the characters coming back into the game. Are you a leader who takes the initiative or a silent puzzler who solves most of the puzzles in the end?

Kids escape rooms are becoming more and more popular. With our girls we have regularly done a family escape room. Super cool family outing. The funny thing is that children often look at puzzles in a very different way. We ourselves sometimes think in a very complicated manner. While they have the solution right in front of you.

Escape room birthday party at home

When we started our gaming site a number of years ago, it was of course no surprise which game we were going to make: An escape room! But to rent and renovate a spooky abandoned basement went a bit too far for us. (let alone our two left hands!?). The challenge was to make an escape room that you can do at any location. We were so proud when the game the Maffia Gang (our first Dutch Escape Game) was finished. Playing an escape room is fun, but making it is just as much fun!

Our first escape room birthday party  

For our youngest girl we once organized an escape room children's party. That was a few years ago. Back then you didn't have a lot of escape rooms for children. Everyone loved the party. All the children came out of the room bouncing and full of adrenaline. Now we are lucky that we have a top escape room on location in our neighborhood. Tailored down to the last detail and a good fit with the storyline. With many different rooms for adults and children.

What should you pay attention to?

Are you organizing an escape room children's party for the first time? Then here are a few tips you can look out for in advance:

With two cars

Luckily, there are escape rooms at many locations these days. But most of the time it is a bit of a drive. We used to stuff some more children in one backseat. With the police checks nowadays we don't do that anymore. You often need two cars for a birthday party to get somewhere. And then you sometimes have the misfortune that a room can only be used for a maximum number of children. So you must first figure this out in order to be able to arrange it.

Giving away puzzles

Then there is the final risk of an escape room birthday party. The "whining" girlfriend that ruined it for the rest. "Yes, I know!" An escape room is just the most fun when no one has played the room yet. How annoying it is when someone reveals all the puzzles. So now that it is so popular to escape, it is useful to check in advance whether any of the children have already done this escape room.

Complete your birthday party with an escape room invitation

I am sure we are not the only ones with this funny habit. When we organize a party for our girls, then everything should match the theme. Whether it was a witch party, Paw Patrol children's party or a who is the mole children's party. Sounds familiar?

How nice it is, when you already receive an invite for an escape room children's party at home, to get you in the mood. And when you leave, you also get something that represents the theme. It takes more time, but it’s worth it. Worried you haven’t got the time? With these handy tips, it's easy:

Fun ideas for making invitations to an escape room birthday party

>>Read more: Would you like to play our ready-made Escape Room for children at home?

Escape Room ideas: What do I need to think about in advance?

When making the Escape room at home or at another location there are a number of things you should think about beforehand.

The 16 Escape Room ideas in this blog

In this blog we share our Escape Room ideas and experiences on creating an Escape room game. Do you want to see how we made our Escape Room for kids? Then order the Escape Room for children (9 - 13 years).

You can order it and play it at home. A complete and ready-made Escape Room at home, with a script, explanations and materials. We get a lot of nice reviews about this game, so it will certainly inspire you - besides being a great experience to play.

Have fun!

So either make sure that all the stuff you want to keep private, is gone or communicate very clearly that all the stuff the players need can be found without having to open cupboards, drawers, etcetera.

No secret doors
Unlike the real Escape Rooms you probably won't break down walls and create secret doors to other rooms. Which is not really necessary if you are going to use multiple rooms, which are all connected to each other. Just stick an A4 sheet on each room and give it a name or number, so players will know which room they are allowed to go to when they have solved the room they are in.

It is nice if the players have a place in every room to put things down and to puzzle. A table or desk will come in handy. Chairs are certainly not necessary, because players tend to walk around and you can stimulate that by hanging certain puzzles or information on the walls. By hanging information in various places, players have to walk back and forth and have to cooperate and communicate well with each other. And that makes your escape room game extra fun.

Tools and material for creating the Escape room

If you're looking for fun Escape Room ideas, don't miss the specific tools and materials. If you have ever visited an Escape Room, you know how nice it is to find all kinds of materials with which you have to do something. We'll walk you through some Escape Room ideas about materials and tools.

#2 Communicating on your Website 

If you have your own website, you can easily create a page where players have to fill in a code to get to the next website page. In WordPress you have the possibility to change the visibility of your page for example to 'Password Protected'. How nice is it when the players find a letter with the link to that website page in the box with the combination lock. And that they first have to crack another code to continue.

#3 Escape Room idea: Autoresponder Whatsapp 

A very surprising effect is the WhatsApp. If players get stuck in a room, you can give them hints. Of course you can be present in the room and tell them the hint. But... with WhatsApp it can be much more fun. You can install the App Auto responder for free on all Android phones.

Then you tell the players that if they want a hint, they have to attach a certain word to the number (that you give them before the escape room game starts). The Auto responder will then automatically respond with the hint.

#4 Hiding hints of keys in a book

A great Escape Room idea that doesn't have to be difficult is hiding something in an old book. You can easily cut a square out of an old book. In which you can put a hint or a key, for example.

#5 Voice mail 

If you have a number (preferably prepaid) that you don't use very often, then you can consider dialing in a voice mail. And the outcome of one of the puzzles is a phone number that they will have to call. We know from experience that this brings a lot of excitement and hilarity. Because most people find calling an unknown number quite exciting.

#6 Cryptex

This is one of the best Escape Room ideas you may not miss. If you really want to surprise your group, you can consider a real cryptex. In several YouTube movies you can see how to make them. One thing is for sure: with the cryptex you will drive your group crazy. If you don't feel like spending so much time on it, there are many other variations possible.

Make your own cryptex with a toilet roll and some paper.

#7 Jigsaw puzzles

You regularly see pieces of jigsaw puzzles scattered around in a room. Solving the jigsaw puzzle means that something becomes visible which can help you to move on. Sometimes there is a question on the jigsaw puzzle or it is a map, with which you can find the next object. You can also do it easier, by cutting an A4 sheet into a number of pieces. On that piece of A4 paper you can put the text or image that they eventually have to solve. A not hard to make Escape Room idea, but very nice to solve.

#9 Skill games

Everyone knows the games of the past. This requires some craftsmanship of course and takes a lot of work. But then again, the result is incredibly cool. For example, you can work with magnets and a glass plate. The players can't reach the other side of the glass plate with their hands, but by placing the magnet on the other magnet (with a small key attached to it, for example) and by following a maze (which is also under the glass plate) they can move the key to an end point where they can take the key with their hand.

#10 Mastermind

We think that one of the most amazing Escape room ideas is mastermind. As a player you have to put colors in the right order to be able to crack the code. You can arrange it that somewhere else in the room you can found out which number belongs to which color.

#12 One of the beste Escape Room Ideas: Morse code 

One of the Escape Room ideas that has been used for a long time is the Morse code. Dots and dashes represent letters. You have hidden the Morse decoding somewhere. Without that decoding, players can't make words or sentences. Use the online morse code generator. 

Try our escape rooms at home

#14 Using light in your DIY Escape Room

You can always do nice things with light. For example, you can make it reflect between mirrors. Because when the players rotate the mirrors the right way, the light will find its way from the starting point to the end point where a code will appear on the wall. You can do this, for example, by using black light. Without this light you will see nothing on the wall, but with this light you can suddenly read the secret message in your escape room game.

#16 Create secret messages with invisible ink

You won't believe it, but there are really crazy ways to create invisible messages. For example with cola. If you really want to surprise your group, this tip is one of the top 16 great Escape Room ideas.

DIY Escape Room ideas and inspiration

Now that we have gone through the list of escape room ideas and puzzles, the success of your escape room game all depends on creating all those puzzles and assignments with various tools and materials. And even though we have already mentioned several things, a little extra Escape Room idea is still welcome, right? So here are some Escape Room ideas and tips that you should definitely check out to get enough inspiration for creating your escape room game.

Use Pinterest for great Escape Room ideas

For all the games we make, we always use a number of sources of information. When making the Escape room we visit several escape rooms in a short time. Not to steal from them, but to help the creative imagination and to come up with some really good Escape Room ideas. However, with all the games we have created, one source has always proven to be very valuable. Pinterest. If you don't have an account yet, create one right away.

If you search for Escape room ideas, you will be overloaded with creative ideas in terms of puzzles and materials.

Handbook, Rules and Hints in your DIY Escape Room

Once the Escape room game is finished, there are still some things to think about. It is useful to make a script for yourself, that describes the whole game. You describe all the rooms, from A to Z,  what should be in them, what should be glued, hung etc. And also the puzzles with the solutions, the codes, the logical order of the puzzles; you write down everything. This will be your script.

After each game, it is relatively easy to put everything back in its old state, so that a next group of players can start playing again.

If there are game rules, you have to communicate them clearly to the players before the game starts. Put them on an A4 sheet so you will never forget to tell them. It's annoying if you don’t want them to look inside the cabinets and you forget to tell them, and all the cabinets are pulled upside down and leaving you with a huge mess to clean up after the game.

Hints Escape Room

Finally, you will undoubtedly need hints in the escape room game. Only the perfect player will get through all your rooms without help. The reality is that it is often more difficult for players than you might think. In order not to make the game too easy, you make some hints, which you communicate to the players somewhere in the game. As described earlier, you can do this fully automatic, for example, with the auto-answer app, but you can also just use extra envelopes, which are numbered. They always have to open envelope 1 first to read that hint. You can then think of a penalty time for every hint they use.

We hope this blog has inspired you enough to create your own Escape Room game. A lot of work of course, but once you have finished, you can invite a lot of people to come and play your Escape Room.