Adventure-Themed Escape Room ‘In the Outdoors!’

Description: This instructable will help you build an engaging outdoor activity adventure-themed escape room experience that can be set up outdoors for your friends or for your next outdoor event. The game will incorporate natural elements and require participants to solve puzzles using their surroundings and provided items, offering a unique, immersive experience.

Because this is similar to an escape room type game, all of the players must try and do all challenges and solve all the clues within 60 to 90 minutes. There must be one person to provide the rules, review all solutions and makes sure the team completes the adventure before the time expires. This person will be the 'game master’. This game master/ judge is required to see the challenge be done in order (if the challenges must be done in order) or if challenge is solved and/or is close enough to the requirement to be considered complete.

I will try and list all items you might want to give the team to do the challenges, but to make it harded you may want to have your player look for items in the area.

Materials Needed:

- A small zip-lock bag

- Water small bottle

- A pin or needle (to poke a hole)

- A ruler or a measuring tape

- A stopwatch or a way to count 60 seconds

- A clear container or a marked surface to measure the water level

- A straight stick (about 2-3 feet long)

- A sunny day (for using shadows)

- A flat, open area to allow no distruptions for some set up and challenges.

Overview: The Adventure-Themed Outdoor Escape Room is an immersive, interactive game designed to be set up in a natural outdoor environment, such as a park, forest, or large backyard. Unlike traditional indoor escape rooms, this experience harnesses the beauty and challenges of the outdoors to create a thrilling adventure where participants must solve puzzles, find hidden clues, and use their surroundings to "escape" within a set time limit.

Theme & Storyline:

1. Theme Options:
2. Lost in the Wilderness: Participants are explorers who have wandered off the beaten path and must find their way back to civilization before nightfall.
3. Ancient Treasure Hunt: Players are treasure hunters searching for a long-lost artifact in a dense jungle, where they must solve ancient riddles and navigate natural obstacles.
4. Survival Scenario: A survival-themed challenge where participants must "survive" in the wild by finding shelter, food, and tools, using clues and puzzles to guide them.

1. Natural Integration:
2. Use trees, rocks, and other natural features as part of the game. For example, clues could be hidden inside hollow logs, under rocks, or written on leaves.
3. Incorporate natural elements like water sources (streams or ponds) or trails as part of the navigation or puzzle-solving process.
4. Physical Challenges:
5. Include mild physical challenges, such as climbing over fallen trees, balancing on logs, or crossing a small stream, to add an element of adventure.
6. Consider adding a "zipline" or rope bridge as a thrilling part of the escape.
7. Puzzles & Riddles:
8. Design puzzles that require participants to observe their surroundings carefully. For example, they might need to identify specific plant species, follow animal tracks, or decode messages written in natural materials like sticks or stones.
9. Use weather-resistant materials for clues and puzzle components, such as laminated cards, engraved wood, or waterproof containers.
10. Time-Limited Challenges:
11. Set up time-based challenges where participants must complete a task before an imaginary "storm" arrives or before "nightfall" (e.g., a countdown timer hidden in a weatherproof box).
12. Introduce environmental changes (like dimming light or sound effects) as the time runs out to increase the tension.
13. Teamwork & Collaboration:
14. Design the game for groups, emphasizing teamwork. Some puzzles could require multiple people to solve, such as looking for an object or deciphering a code that needs multiple perspectives.
15. Encourage communication and coordination by having different team members receive separate pieces of a larger puzzle.
16. Props & Technology:
17. Use themed props like old maps, compasses, or ancient-looking artifacts to enhance the immersion.
18. Incorporate technology such as walkie-talkies for communication, or GPS devices for geocaching-style puzzles.
19. Scavenger Hunt Elements:
20. Include a scavenger hunt aspect where participants must find specific natural objects (like certain leaves, rocks, or flowers) to complete a puzzle or unlock the next challenge.
21. Cultural & Historical Elements:
22. If applicable, incorporate local history, folklore, or cultural references into the story to give the game a sense of place. For example, the storyline could involve solving the mystery of an ancient local legend or following the path of historical figures.

You will want to determine the area and scout out the location to get key landmarks, list stuff that can be found easily, and YOU as the 'game master' must determine every aspect of the adventure. Below are some logistics you will need to think about and plan for each challenge.

1. Location: Choose a location with varied terrain, such as wooded areas, open fields, and water features, to offer diverse challenges.
2. Duration: Plan for the experience to last between 60 to 90 minutes, with checkpoints or safe zones where participants can take breaks. Pinic tables, shaded areas with trees, etc.
3. Safety Considerations: Ensure that the course is safe and accessible, with clear boundaries and contingency plans for emergencies. Bring a first aid kit and know when it is game over. If someone gets hurt stop the game and get professional help to aid the injured player.
4. Customization: Offer the ability to customize the experience for different group sizes, skill levels, or themes, making it adaptable for families, corporate team-building, or serious adventurers.
5. Set a clear boundry: If you are in a backyard, tell the participants the adventure does not go outside of the fenced area. If you are at a park, tell them it is with in the park limit for example. You as the 'game master' must be sure to set the area of play and make it know to all.
6. Set clear rules: You as the 'game master' must set the rules so that the game doesn't hurt anyone and allow fun and ideas from all during the game.
7. OUTDOOR/Provided Items: Design the escape room to be easily transportable and reusable, with modular components that can be set up in various locations.
8. Pick up all items after the game is over: Use eco-friendly materials and ensure that the game leaves no trace, aligning with outdoor ethics and sustainability principles.

These two ideas for the challenge are finding north and telling how long a minute has passed.

Find North:

Find north using your surroundings. Make sure if it is clear and pointing north for the judge to check with a compass.

Note : Depending on your location there will be a few degrees off (a range that can be looked up for your area ) of the pointing stick (Geographic North) and the magnetic north. The magnetic needle in a compass is attracted by the magnetism of the Earth, and therefore always points to the constantly shifting Magnetic North Pole. The Geographic North Pole is static and is located about 1200 miles north of the Magnetic Pole.

Finding magnetic north using a stick is a simple method that leverages the movement of the sun. 

Here’s how you can do it:

Materials Needed:

- A straight stick (about 2-3 feet long)

- A sunny day

- A flat, open area

Steps to Find Magnetic North:

1. Stick Placement:

   - Find a flat, open area where the sun can cast a clear shadow.

   - Push the stick vertically into the ground so that it stands upright and casts a shadow.

2. Mark the First Shadow:

   - Immediately mark the tip of the shadow on the ground using a small stone or a similar object. This point represents the initial position of the shadow.

3. Wait for 15-30 Minutes:

   - Wait for about 15 to 30 minutes to allow the sun to move across the sky. The shadow will also move accordingly.

4. Mark the Second Shadow:

   - After waiting, mark the new position of the shadow tip with another small stone.

5. Draw a Line:

   - Draw a straight line between the two marks you've made. This line represents the east-west axis.

   - The first shadow mark is the west end of the line, and the second mark is the east end.

6. Determine Magnetic North:

   - Stand with the west end (the first mark) on your left and the east end (the second mark) on your right.

   - You are now facing north. The direction in front of you is approximately magnetic north.

Important Notes:

- This method gives you a general direction of north but may not be perfectly accurate due to the earth's tilt and your specific location.

- To improve accuracy, perform this experiment around midday when the sun is highest in the sky.

- This method works anywhere in the world, but it will give you true north rather than magnetic north, which varies depending on your location. Magnetic north can differ from true north by a few degrees to several tens of degrees, depending on where you are on Earth.

Note: Another way to find north, use the paper clip a magnet and a lid filled with water. You can search on how to do this alternative way to find north.

One minute at a time:

Make a timer that is as close to one minute. Examples: by dripping water from a container with a hole in the bottom, or pouring sand out of a funnel, draw a line to show where to fill and thus can be repeatable.

Here’s how you can do it:

Using a zip-lock bag with water to measure time is a simple way to create a rudimentary water clock. Here’s how you can do it:

Materials Needed:

- A small zip-lock bag

- Water

- A pin or needle (to poke a hole)

- A ruler or a measuring tape

- A stopwatch or a way to count 60 seconds

- A clear container or a marked surface to measure the water level

Steps to Measure Time:

1. Fill the Zip-Lock Bag:

   - Fill the zip-lock bag with water. The amount of water can vary, but starting with about a cup (240 ml) is a good idea.

2. Poke a Hole in the Bag:

   - Use a pin or needle to poke a small hole in the bottom of the bag. The size of the hole will affect how quickly the water drips out, so start with a small hole.

3. Start the Clock:

   - Hold the bag over a clear container or a surface where you can measure the level of water that drips out.

   - As soon as you start counting 60 seconds, let the water begin dripping through the hole.

4. Measure the Water Level:

   - After 60 seconds, stop the water flow by sealing the hole with your finger or placing the bag on a flat surface.

   - Measure the amount of water that has collected in the container or note the level of water on the marked surface.

5. Adjust and Calibrate:

   - If you need to use this method to measure time consistently, you can calibrate your water clock by repeating the process and marking the water level for different intervals (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes).

   - You can adjust the size of the hole to fine-tune the timing. A smaller hole will slow the water flow, and a larger hole will speed it up.

Practical Uses:

- This method can help you measure approximate time intervals in settings where a stopwatch or timer isn’t available.

- It’s an excellent educational tool for demonstrating basic principles of time measurement and flow rate.

Important Considerations:

- The consistency of the water flow can be affected by factors such as the size of the hole, water pressure, and the bag’s height. 

- For more accurate results, ensure the bag’s height and water level remain consistent during the experiment.

These two ideas for the challenge are reading small print by making a magnafing lens.

Use Water:

Creating a magnifier using water and a plastic baggie is a simple and fun project that demonstrates the basic principles of optics. Here's how you can do it:

Here’s how you can do it:

Materials Needed:

- A clear plastic baggie (zip-lock type works well)

- Clean water

- A small object or text to magnify (e.g., a piece of paper with small print)

Steps to Create the Water Magnifier:

1. Fill the Baggie with Water:

   - Pour a small amount of water into the plastic baggie. You don’t need to fill it completely; just enough to form a rounded, lens-like shape when the bag is held up.

   - Seal the baggie tightly to prevent any leaks.

2. Shape the Baggie:

   - Gently squeeze the baggie to shape the water into a rounded, lens-like form. The water should create a bulge that acts as a lens. 

   - For a more pronounced magnification effect, adjust the amount of water until the desired curvature is achieved.

3. Test the Magnifier:

   - Hold the water-filled baggie over the small object or text you want to magnify. The curved water will bend light, creating a magnifying effect.

   - Adjust the distance between the baggie and the object until you find the point of optimal magnification. The image should appear larger and clearer.

4. Experiment with Magnification:

   - The level of magnification can be adjusted by changing the curvature of the water. A more curved surface (with less water) will magnify more, while a flatter surface (with more water) will magnify less.

   - Try viewing different objects or texts with varying sizes and distances to see how the magnification changes.

How It Works:

- The water in the baggie acts like a convex lens. When light passes through the curved surface of the water, it bends (refracts) and focuses, making the object appear larger.

- The shape of the water-filled baggie determines the strength of the magnification: a more pronounced curve focuses light more strongly, creating a more significant magnification effect.

Practical Uses:

- This DIY water magnifier can be used for reading small text, inspecting small objects, or demonstrating basic optical principles in a science lesson.

- It’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to create a temporary magnifying tool when you don’t have a real magnifying glass on hand.

The last idea for the challenge is to decipher or solve a code made out of drawn images.

Deciphering a code:

Who knows morse code? No one in your group? Well the challenge is to make a code using only pictures on a scroll of paper the park ranger would understand. No words, no letters and no numbers 

Deciphering codes is a blend of logic, pattern recognition, and sometimes sheer determination. Whether dealing with ancient ciphers or modern encryption, the process involves understanding the underlying method used to obscure the message and systematically working to reveal the hidden text.

Tips for Deciphering:

1. Contextual Clues: Consider the context of the message to help with deciphering. Common words, phrases, or patterns can provide hints.
2. Persistence: Deciphering can be a challenging puzzle; it may require patience and multiple attempts.

Creating an image-only code to decipher involves designing a system where the code or message is embedded within an image, rather than using text. This can be a fun and creative way to hide information that requires visual interpretation to decode. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create such a code:

Here’s how you can do it:

I used old brown paper to make it harder to spot. You can scoll it up and put some twine to allow it to be tied to a stick of anchored by a rock.

Write the information you want to draw in code: "Between the small and big tree, search for the map near the tree trunk."

Now as shown in my example, I drew two trees one small one big and arrows between them, then a magnify lens looking (or searching) for a map. Witht he letter 'N' and an ear, we get near the tree trunk.

There are many examples out on the internet that will help you develop and decipher codes.

Work on your own code using symbols, images or use a way to change coordinates into a math equation.

Have fun!

This step can be skipped if you have a bag or container you are going to use of the required items needed for each challenge. I am showing this step to make a simpe carry case out of a simple snack box, shoe lace, masking tape and scissors.

1. Turn the cardboard box inside out by separating the seam onthe side.
2. Mark down 2.5 inches from the top and draw the 45 degree line to show where to cut to make the top of the case.
3. Using tape (I had masking tape) tape together the box inside out so that it looks like an explorers case (and can be decorated as well) then tape up the side and the bottom.
4. Tape the shoe string into the top lid.
5. Tape the corners of the lid with aligning the edges to match the bottom part of the box.
6. Use a piece of tape to hold the top and front together makiing a simple closure forthe carry case.

The following are details of my own design to help you create your own Challenge Escape Adventure!

Opening Thrilling Adventure: "The Lost Explorers"

Introduction:

Participants gather at a designated meeting point, where they are greeted by a game master dressed as a seasoned explorer. The game master spins a tale that sets the stage for the adventure:

Storyline:

"Welcome, brave adventurers! You are the last hope for an expedition that ventured deep into these wild lands in search of fun and adventure but ended up lost. It is now up to you to retrace their steps, solve the mysteries they uncovered, and find them before it becomes too dark to rescue them.

But beware—the forest is alive with dangers, and the clock is ticking. You have exactly 60 minutes to complete your mission and help find the lost souls before the dark forest takes them forever!"

The Adventure Begins

Participants are handed a few items in a canvas bag or “Carry case” of items. 

A zip top clear plastic bag

3 sticks

Two tacs

A magnet

A paper clip

Bottle of water

A length of twine 30 to 40 inches

Initial clue: a map that you the game master creates prior to the event.

Setting the Scene:

   - Location: The adventure begins in a dense, wooded area. The ground is covered with leaves, and towering trees create a canopy overhead. The air is thick with the sounds of the jungle—bird calls, rustling leaves, and distant animal cries.

   - Initial Clue: The map shows a rough sketch of the area with a few key landmarks, but parts are torn or smudged, making it challenging to read. At the bottom of the map it reads, “Which way is north?”

First Challenge: Find North

The Journal

   - Discovery: As participants follow the map, they come across a small, hidden camp—a remnant of the lost expedition. Among the scattered supplies, they find one of the lost teams' journals. The journal is filled with notes, sketches, and cryptic symbols.

   - Puzzle: Participants must decipher the symbols in the scroll to reveal the next location. The symbols are a mix of simple ciphers and clues that require them to match natural elements around them, such as specific trees, rocks, or bushes.

Second Challenge: Decipher the code

The Stone on the map

   - Location: The scroll leads the participants to a tree stump in the forest. The stone next to the trunk has a map with small text and more information.

   - Puzzle: The map is hard to read because of the small lettering.

Third challenge: Make a magnifier (to read the small text)

The Rendezvous Point

   - Challenge: The newly revealed text describes the winding trail that takes participants through a series of physical challenges. They might need to cross a rope bridge over a ravine, navigate through a maze of thorny vines, or balance on a fallen tree over a small stream. The text tells them that at the end of the path will be the pervious brave adventurers who are lost and awaiting rescue.

   - Puzzle: Along the way, they find small totems or markers that contain fragments of a final riddle. Each fragment is hidden in a way that requires observation and interaction with the environment, such as lifting a rock, examining the underside of a branch, or looking for a reflection in the water.

Fourth Challenge: Use these clues to keep them going in the right direction. (They need to end up at a picnic table or a tent.)

Final Challenge:

   - Location: The trail ends at the tent, in order to make sure they are at the right tent, a letter telling them they made it to the correct tect is inside. If you want to be more challenging you could have a second tent set up, with a letter telling the team to go look somewhere else, as this group is smart and does not need rescuing!

- The final stretch of the adventure involves a race against time as participants dash through the forest, guided by the last few clues to make it to the final destination.

Get back in time!

Can they make it back with the use of the first map, with the letters S.Z. marking where they need to arrive before time runs out? S.Z.= (safe zone)

The Rescue:

- Once the participants retrieve the brave adventurers who needed rescue they reach the extraction point on the first map—a safe zone where they are "rescued" by a waiting vehicle or guided to safety by the game master.

Conclusion:

As the participants reach the extraction point, the game master reappears to congratulate them on their success (or to debrief them if they ran out of time) and explain how each challenge could have been solved if time permits. The story wraps up with a brief epilogue, revealing that their efforts have saved the lost adventurers, or teasing a potential sequel for rescue if they failed to finish the challenges.

This is just one example of how you can create a fun Escape "room" in the great outdoors. I hope you enjoyed the adventure and will let me know if you crete your own! I would love to hear about your team's adventure! Have fun, be safe and enjoy the GREAT OUTDOORS!