Escape Game Pedagogy

Escape games are games in which players solve puzzles, search for clues, and progress through a narrative toward a shared goal. Originally popularised as digital browser-based games, escape games are best known today as escape rooms, where a group aims to exit a locked room within a given time limit. Modern escape games can be physical, digital, hybrid or portable, and they may also take the form of board games or outdoor adventures.

Key characteristics of escape games include storytelling, problem‑solving and collaboration. Players usually work as a team, and progression in the game requires interaction, logical reasoning and shared reflection. Immersion—becoming absorbed in the story and environment—is also essential, making the experience engaging and motivating.

In escape game pedagogy, elements of escape games are used purposefully to support learning. The tasks and structure of the game are designed to align with predefined learning objectives. These objectives may relate to, for example, subject knowledge, skill development, collaboration or specific ways of working.

Pedagogical escape games draw on gamification and storytelling to increase learners’ motivation and engagement. At the same time, they support key competencies such as problem‑solving, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Escape game pedagogy promotes active and participatory learning by offering opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in shared problem‑solving.

As a teaching approach, pedagogical escape games are flexible and versatile. They can be used across different subjects and educational levels, in various learning environments, and at different stages of the learning process. For example, in basic education, an escape game may support practising subject content, when in higher education or workplaces it can be used for competence development, team building, orientation or adopting new practices.

Pedagogical Escape Games in Teaching

You can explore escape game pedagogy in more detail through the open DigiCampus online course Pedagogiset pakopelit opetuksessa (Pedagogical Escape Games in Teaching). This self‑paced course, developed by the University of Eastern Finland, introduces participants to the world of pedagogical escape games and guides them through the key phases of designing and implementing them.

The course was created as part of the Yhdessä pakoon! – Pakopelipedagogiikka yhteisöllisyyden edistäjänä opetuksessa (Escape Together! – Escape Room Pedagogy as a Tool for Enhancing Community in Teaching) project and was published at the beginning of 2026. Some of the course content is based on the earlier Pakopelikäsikirja (Escape Game Handbook), produced within the OpenDigiTaito project. However, the course materials have been further expanded, updated and developed.

Both resources are openly accessible on the DigiCampus platform, which can also be accessed by selecting the Log in as a guest option.

Please note:
The online course Pedagogiset pakopelit opetuksessa (Pedagogical Escape Games in Teaching) and the Pakopelikäsikirja (Escape Game Handbook) are available only in Finnish.