If you’ve ever wished your students were more engaged, more motivated, and actually excited about reviewing course material—this one’s for you!
And be honest… have you ever felt intimidated to make your own escape room, or even to run one that someone else created because it looked way too complicated?
You’re not alone!
That’s exactly why today’s blog is all about how to create a simple, printable escape room for your CNA, PCT, or Health Science classroom.
Escape rooms are an amazing way to replace traditional review sessions or worksheets while boosting energy, teamwork, and retention.
They offer the ultimate student engagement activity and naturally reach all three learning styles—auditory, visual, and kinesthetic—all in one lesson.
Get ready to try something fun, manageable, and classroom-friendly!
Why Use an Escape Room in Your Training Program?
Because they…
- work beautifully as a review before tests
- boost teamwork, memory recall, and problem-solving
- add competition without stress
- get even your quietest students participating
reduce off-task behavior naturally - can be done in any classroom, skills lab, or clinical facility classroom
- and best of all… they reach all three learning styles: Auditory, Visual and Kinesthetic
How to Make Your Own DIY Printable Escape Room
Here’s how to create one without fancy props, locks, or a drop of technology!
STEP 1 — Choose Your Topic
Pick ONE unit of study to focus on, such as:
Infection Control
Vital Signs
Body Systems
Safety
Legal/Ethical
STEP 2 — Create 5-6 “Stations”
The “stations” are simply chosen areas of the room or facility that have an imaginary “locked” door, such as:
A resident/patient’s room or mock room set up
The dietary department (or even beside a microwave)
The laundry department (or beside a hamper)
The therapy department (or beside a walker)
…you get the idea
This is where the students will pick up the set of questions to answer (to ultimately unlock the lock to the “door”)
STEP 3 — Write 5-6 Questions for Each Station
I like to create my multiple choice questions from the actual readings in their text or create a similar version to the test questions the students will actually have.
The answers for each question will make up the “combination lock code” for each “lock”.
STEP 4 — Add “Clues” to Each Station
Create a not-so-obvious riddle to guide the students to certain stations.
There should be a correct order to visit each station to answer questions…the riddles will send them there.
If they misinterpret a riddle and report to the wrong station, they will answer the wrong questions.
…therefore recording the wrong answers on their recording sheet.
This is a huge part of the fun of an Escape Room.
STEP 5 — Set the Time Limit
I typically like 30-45 minutes.
The end goal is for ALL teams to “escape” all of the rooms by the set time limit.
I like to use one of the many YouTube Escape Room Timers like the one below.
STEP 6 — Set the Mood
One of the easiest ways to take your escape room from activity to experience is by giving it a little back story.
Don’t worry—this doesn’t have to be dramatic, mysterious, or Hollywood-level creative.
A back story simply gives your students a reason for completing the challenges and moving through the stations, and it instantly increases engagement.
Think of it as the why behind the tasks.
Here are some simple ideas that work perfectly in health science classrooms:
- The shift can’t start until the clues are completed
Students must solve questions to “unlock” report, find assignments, or prepare residents.
- A mix-up happened and students have to fix it
Supplies were misplaced, documentation is incomplete, vitals were recorded wrong, etc.
- A countdown is in place
The next shift arrives in 30 minutes… the state surveyor is in the building… a resident needs care… the call bells won’t stop ringing!
- A fictional voice or announcement adds urgency
The intercom, charge nurse, DON, night shift nurse, or scheduler can deliver the setup.
- Keep it short and easy to read aloud
Two to three paragraphs is more than enough.
"Back Story" Formula for Teachers
Set the scene
(Where are they? What time is it? What’s supposed to be happening?)Introduce the problem
(Something went wrong, is missing, or must be completed)Explain the mission
(Students must move through stations and answer correctly to progress)Add a consequence or time limit
(This creates excitement—not fear!)
Example starter lines you can borrow:
“It’s the beginning of your shift, but something isn’t right…”
“A message appears at the nurses’ station telling you…”
“The supply shelves are locked, and you can’t start patient care until…”
“A report was printed, but the pages are out of order…”
“The vital signs kiosk won’t power on unless…”
Students don’t need costumes, props, or decorations (unless you love doing that!)—they just need a reason to move, think, and solve.
STEP 7 — Run the Escape Room!
Students
Read the riddle to determine the location for Station 1
- Report to Station 1
Answer questions and record on recording sheet
- Report back to instructor to check the answers (AKA “combo code”)
Earn the clue to Station 2
Report to Station 2
- Answer questions and record on recording sheet
Report back to the instructor to check the answers
…and so on.
You
✅ check “combo codes”
✅ encourage teamwork
✅ redirect as needed
✅ enjoy watching them love learning
Want to Skip the Prep and Have Escape Rooms Ready to Use?
Love the idea of an Escape Room but not the time commitment to actually “make” one?
Here are some Escape Rooms ready-to-print and use in your classroom…
Do you use Escape Rooms in YOUR training program? If so, share your experiences below!
Looking for more printable ready-to-go resources for YOUR training program? Click the picture below to shop!
