Description
The Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Escape Room will take students on a secret mission around the classroom, reading comprehension passages, and answering questions! This escape room has students decode interesting facts about the history and traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
The Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Escape Room is a great reading comprehension activity with a twist of fun that has students deciphering codes. The codes include ciphers, morse code, cryptograms, Polybius squares, and a final 4 digit code based on the decoders/clues.
What’s Included?
- 4 Reading Passages
- 4 Puzzle Phrases to Decode
- 4 Decoders
- 4 Differentiated Decoders
- 10 Multiple Choice Questions
- Teacher Instructions
- Answer Key
- Hint Guides – How To Decode
- Completion Signs
Watch the video or click on the preview button to take a closer look at everything included!
Skills Used:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Peer Collaboration
- Problem Solving
To prevent students from simply decoding the puzzles, ALL questions need to be answered correctly in order to solve the final code. This ensures understanding!
Benefits of Use:
- No Prep
- Print and Go
- Cross-Curricular
- Highly Engaging
- No Locks Needed
- No silly envelopes to stuff
- No fancy shapes to cut out
Give students a chance to decode puzzles, move around the room, and read passages, all while actively learning! Students will work in pairs (or individually) and race against the clock. A friendly competition always increases engagement. No prior knowledge is needed. Each code will reveal interesting facts about the topic.
Puzzle Types:
- Cryptogram
- Morse Code
- PigPen Cipher
- Polybius Square
Options for Use:
- Anticipatory Sets
- Unit Review
- Early Finishers
- Gallery Walk
- Stations
- Sub Plans
- Rewards
Click HERE to grab a F-R-E-E Color by Number Activity!
»»» Thinktivity™ Reading Passages : Click HERE
»»» Comprehension Challenge and CSI Spy Mystery: Click HERE
»»» Printable ESCAPE ROOMS: Click HERE
»»» Text Marking Detective: Click HERE
»»» Scavenger Hunts: Click HERE
»»» Digital Secret Message Activities: Click HERE
»»» Puzzle Breakouts: Click HERE
»»» Interactive Google Slides™: Click HERE
»»» Digital ESCAPE ROOMS: Click HERE
»»» Color by Number – Text Marking: Click HERE
»»» Digital Reading Passages: Click HERE
»»» Task Card Review Games: Click HERE
»»» Interactive Game Boards: Click HERE
»»» Reading Passages and Text Marking: Click HERE
»»» Back to School: Click HERE
»»» Collaborative Posters: Click HERE
»»» Digital Interactive Notebooks: Click HERE
»»» Grades 3 and 4 Escape Rooms: Click HERE
Copyright Information : © Think Tank Teacher LLC. Please note – all material included in this resource belongs to Think Tank Teacher LLC. By purchasing, you have a license to use the material but you do not own the material. You may not upload any portion of this resource to the internet in any format, including school/personal websites or network drives unless the site is password protected and can only be accessed by students, not other teachers or anyone else on the internet.
Kristine H. –
This resource is perfect for those days before break when kids are already absent and I’m tired, but I want something engaging and informative to keep the kids from going crazy.
Kessa F. –
This creator’s escape rooms are always a hit—and this one truly delivers! It’s a clever combination of reading comprehension and code‑breaking fun across Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. My students were fully engaged as they decoded passages using cryptograms, Morse code, PigPen, and Polybius squares. A no-prep, high‑impact lesson—always reliable and never disappointing.
Audrey S. –
Great resource to use around holiday break to provide students with information on a variety of different holidays! I love the escape rooms created by this seller! They are easy to navigate and teacher/student friendly.
Rachel K. –
Great resource. My students and I loved using this.
Kathryn D. –
Great escape room! Easy to organize and print off. The kids had a lot of fun doing this!
Living Elementary –
Great resource!
MsHerronLibrarian –
My students loved this activity! On average, it took students about 30 minutes to finish. My students were so engaged, excited, and had a sense of accomplishment when they completed their puzzles.
robin F. –
My students were engaged and it took little prep to get started.
Megan M. –
Students loved learning about different holidays/cultures
Angelina E. –
Great resource! Kids loved it and were extremely engaged!
Julie T. –
My students enjoyed using this “escape room” and the estimated time to complete was accurate. (apx. 40 minutes for sixth grade students) The only concern is that there was an error with the code on clue #4 where 24 should have been 42 in two separate places (the second word and the fifth word). This caused confusion and frustration until we figured out the problem. Otherwise the resource was very easy to pull together and created an engaging, fun learning experience on one of the days prior to winter break. Thank you!
Kari Jipner –
My sixth graders loved this Escape Room and learned a lot of new information! They were engaged and worked collaboratively to complete it.
Blair Leier –
This is a great resource for students!
The Curated Classroom Co. –
My student loved this resource! 10/10 recommend this product!
Christina F. –
Wonderful tool to incorporate into my winter holidays cultural exploration unit. The students enjoyed learning more about the holidays they were less familiar with. Used the activity in small groups which wonderfully supported classroom community building.
Brittany L. –
fab
Andrea H. –
This was better for in-person than remote but my students enjoyed it!
taught x taylor –
Great activity for my 6th grade Ancient Civilizations social studies class. We discuss many different religions throughout the year. Fun & engaging activity for before winter break.
Sarah V. –
Good!
Melissa B. –
Great resource!