Have you read “Little Zombies and the Vampire” with your kids?
Get ready to bring the story to life with this exciting home escape room adventure!
Perfect for children aged 3-8, this game will challenge their problem-solving skills and imagination. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to set up your very own Little Zombies escape room for kids.
What You’ll Need:
“Little Zombies and the Vampire” book (for reference)
Paper and markers
Scissors
A small box with a 4-digit combination lock
Two additional boxes or containers
Two keys
Clear container for the bathtub
Bubble bath or shampoo
Printable maze (you can find free ones online)
Prize (candy, small toy, or homemade certificate)
Optional: Halloween decorations, zombie or vampire props
Detailed Setup Instructions:
Zombie Hunt:
Create four cards labeled “Zombie 1”, “Zombie 2”, “Zombie 3”, and “Zombie 4”
On the back of each, write one number of a 4-digit code
Hide these around the room
Locked Box Challenge:
Place the character-food matching puzzle pieces inside a box
Lock it with the 4-digit combination lock
Character-Food Puzzle:
Cut paper into puzzle pieces
On each piece, write a character name (e.g., “Wolf and Bunny”) or a food item from the story
When assembled, the puzzle should read “Look under the rug” at the bottom
Clock Mystery:
Draw a clock showing 8:00 on a card and hide it under a rug
Set a real clock in the room to 8:00
Hide a key behind the real clock
Maze Challenge:
Print a simple maze
Write “Help zombies find their way through the green forest” at the top, underlining “green”
Place letters throughout the maze – some in blue, some in green
Ensure the green letters spell out “BUBBLES” when collected
Put the maze in a box to be opened with the clock key
Bubbles Adventure:
Fill a clear container with water and add a bubble bath
Place it in the bathtub with a key at the bottom
Final Hiding Challenge:
Prepare a box or use a door with a rubber band and lock
Inside, place a card saying, “Hurry! Hide! Vampire is on the way!”
Have a prize ready to give after this final challenge
Tips for Preparation
Age Adjustments:
For younger kids (3-5), make hiding spots more obvious and puzzles simpler
For older kids (6-8), increase difficulty with trickier hiding spots and more complex puzzles
Making It More Elaborate:
Add spooky decorations to set the mood
Use Halloween props to create a more immersive experience
Consider adding background music or sound effects
Safety Considerations:
Ensure all hiding spots are safe and easily accessible
Use child-safe materials for all props and puzzles
Supervise the bathtub activity to prevent any accidents
Timing:
Do a trial run to estimate how long each challenge might take
Be prepared to adjust on the fly if things are moving too quickly or slowly
Hints System in an Escape Room for Kids:
Prepare a few hints for each challenge in case kids get stuck
Write them on cards to keep handy during the game
Remember, the goal is to create a fun, immersive experience that brings the book to life. Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect – your enthusiasm and your children’s imagination will fill in any gaps!
Conclusion:
Setting up this Little Zombies escape room is a fantastic way to extend the joy of reading and create lasting memories with your kids. Feel free to get creative and add your own twists to the challenges. The most important thing is to have fun with it!
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll guide you through running the escape room adventure. We’ll cover the game sequence, how to present each challenge, and tips for keeping the excitement going throughout the experience.
Have any questions about the setup? Leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to help!