Why You Need These Christmas Reading Escape Room Games

Christmas is right around the corner! And what better way to celebrate it in the classroom than by playing reading escape room games! I am obsessed with these printable escape rooms; if I were in the classroom right now, I would give my students escape rooms to play in weekly as a reward!

Escape rooms are a hit in my TPT store. I have A LOT of ideas for next year, and I can't wait to create more! So, without further ado, let me show them to you! 

The Nutcracker Reading Escape Room

This is my first Nutcracker activity in my store, and I'm so excited because someone has already purchased it!! Here's how this reading escape room works:

1. Students read two reading passages. One is The Magical Tale of the Nutcracker, and the second is The Origin of the Nutcracker Ballet. Keep in mind that each passage consists of 600 words.
2. They answer 16 multiple-choice questions based on the passage. There are eight questions (levels 1 and 2) for the first passage and another 8 (levels 3 and 4) for the second passage.
3. They are presented with four decoders. Each level has a decoder.
4. Once they find all the clues for each level, they will record their answer on the sheet, and if they are correct, they will "escape!"

Click here to purchase.

Christkind Reading Escape Room

The activities in this escape room are similar to the ones from The Nutcracker, but I have added two extra activities:

1. True or False. Students find all the true statements based on the reading passage and unscramble the letters to form a secret word.
2. Word Hunt. Students collect four unfamiliar words. They write the definition, use it in a sentence, and draw a picture.

Click here to purchase.

Escape the Christmas Bookstore

For this escape room, students will help Jason complete a series of challenges hidden within the magical books of the Christmas bookstore. Here's how you play it:

1. Students read two Christmas-related passages about The Christmas Spirit and Saint Nicholas. Each passage contains 500 to 600 words.
2. For the first passage, they answer the Words and Meanings activity, connecting the words to their meanings. And Fact or Fiction, where they identify if the statement is true or false.
3. For the second passage, they answer the Multiple-Choice Hunt and Scavenger Hunt activities. Each activity will provide them with a clue based on their answers.
4. There is also a Secret Message, similar to a cryptogram puzzle.
5. After obtaining all five clues, they write them on the recording sheet and present it to their teacher. If they answer all five correctly, they "escape!"

Click here to purchase.

The Three Wise Men Reading Escape Room

The activities in this escape room are similar to the one from Escape the Christmas Bookstore. The only difference is the reading passages.

Do you know why I love these escape rooms? Because they practice your students' close reading skills. They will have to go back and read the passage not once, not twice, but many times to answer the questions and "escape!"

Click here to purchase.

Some notes to remember:

• The reading passages contain 500 words or more that might be too long/difficult for 1st and 2nd graders. This will be perfect for 3rd to 5th graders. But if you want to challenge your lower graders, you can purchase these escape rooms and group them into smaller groups.
• All the challenges relate to the reading passages. You can choose to let students work alone or with a partner. I do not advise small groups because the activity will be completed too quickly.

Here are other perks of honing your close reading skills:

1. Deep Understanding: Have you ever read something and felt like you barely scratched the surface? Close reading is your secret weapon to dive deep into the text. It's like putting on a detective hat and uncovering all the juicy details, making sure nothing escapes your keen eyes.
2. Critical Thinking Superpowers: Close reading isn't just about reading words; it's about reading between the lines. It sharpens your critical thinking skills, helping you analyze, question, and evaluate information like a pro. Suddenly, you're not just reading but decoding hidden messages.
3. Mindfulness Magic: Close reading is a bit like meditation for your brain. It requires focus, attention, and being present in the moment. It's a break from the chaos of multitasking, a chance to savor the words on the page. Zen masters would be proud.
4. Lifelong Learning Adventure: With close reading, every text becomes an adventure waiting to unfold. Whether it's a classic novel, a news article, or a random blog post, you approach it with curiosity and a hunger for knowledge. It turns reading into a lifelong journey of discovery.

In short, close reading is like giving your brain a workout with extra benefits thrown in! So, if you and your students are ready to practice their close reading skills before the Christmas break, you've come to the right place! And I'm 100% sure they will beg for more!

What are some holiday activities you plan on doing this December?

Talk soon.