The story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful reminder about what really makes the Christmas season magical—not the presents and stockings but the spirit of Christmas that is in our hearts. And in a year when our traditional Christmas experience may not be the same as most years, this DIY Christmas escape room based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas! helps us focus on how to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
This Christmas party escape room invites participants to solve six clue-based puzzles that will help the Grinch’s heart to “grow three sizes [this] day.” It is designed for older children, teens, and adults, but some clues have notes on how to easily involve younger children. While some of our previous escape rooms have had six clues to open one lockable box, this DIY escape room features six clues that each go into their own box. And several clues invite the participants to dig into the actual book of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
NOTE: If you are unable to find a DIRECTIONAL lock (they sometimes go out of stock), you can simply ignore that last clue; instead, simply cut the final heart piece into many smaller shapes, hide the shapes around the room, and then have guests find them and form the piece together like a puzzle into the heart shape.
Supplies:
• "Saving Christmas—a Grinch-Inspired Escape Room" printable PDF
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas book
• 6 lockable wooden treasure chests or boxes
• 5 changeable coded locks with three digits each
• Wreath (you can usually find one at the Dollar Tree)
• 6 green candy canes (the Dollar Tree sells a green-and-white striped option from Now and Later)
• Stockings (again, try the Dollar Tree for these)
• A directional lock; NOTE: If you are unable to find a DIRECTIONAL lock (they sometimes go out of stock), you can simply ignore that last clue; instead, simply cut the final heart piece into many smaller shapes, hide the shapes around the room, and then have guests find them and form the piece together like a puzzle into the heart shape.
• A hair elastic or rubber band
• LED color-changing light strip (optional)
• Grinch countdown calendar (optional) (The chocolate ones are no longer for sale online, but I did find this alternate.)
• Additional Grinch-themed party supplies simply for decor (optional)
Note: We got most of our party supplies from Oriental Trading, but most of them are sold out! Here are some other fun options I found on Amazon since I can't link to our originals.
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The boxes that lock that your link sends us to on Amazon do not actually fit the locks or work for this. Any suggestions on a box/treasure chest that would work for inexpensive?
MJ, they can start with any of the puzzles. Guests can also work on different ones at a time, so they don’t all have to work on the same one.
Dawn, if you are unable to find a DIRECTIONAL lock (they sometimes go out of stock), you can simply ignore that last clue as it is printed; instead, simply cut the final heart piece into many smaller shapes, hide the shapes around the room, and then have guests find them and form the piece together like a puzzle into the heart shape.
Lori, what a great idea! One idea could be to write a final clue on the back of all the heart pieces before you cut them apart. Then once guests have found all the papers, they can turn over the heart (just tape it over the top first) and they can find the clue to your gift.
How do the players know where to start? Does it really matter?
I just bought the game and did the printouts and ordering of stuff
They don’t sell directional locks anymore can you please send an update to the last section using a combo lock?
I just hosted this escape room with my family and it was too hard! I had to give them ALL the answers…