
Hands-down, no kidding, the best activities we have done in the last few months have been engaging, fun, full of meaningful problem-solving, and complete teamwork. These are Escape Rooms, STEM friends, and we love them. The ones we have completed were followed with a STEM Challenge and the connections have been super amazing. So, let’s take a closer look at Valentine’s Day:
- Escape Room
- STEM Challenges
- Math Activities
Valentine Escape Room
Have you attended an Escape Room event? The one I have been to was a place that actually locked us in a room. We had to read clues and put together items in the room to solve a puzzle that led to unlocking something- either a door or cabinet where we would find our next set of clues. We had a time limit for “breaking out”.
Visiting a place like this led me to develop our classroom Escape Rooms.


After unlocking the last box, my winning team found a small candy prize and grabbed the materials bin to start a STEM Challenge. This STEM Challenge is included in the resource. (It’s a variation of the Candy Box Challenge described below.)
If you have not tried an Escape Room yet, this would be a great place to start! The prep for this one is minimal- just make the puzzle wheels and copy the task sheets for students.
STEM Challenge Valentine Zip Line


STEM Challenge Bow and Arrow

STEM Challenge Build a Candy Box

TIP: Buy the candy for this challenge in a large bag. The samples they use will soften from being tested over and over and you might also have to replace them if a piece gets squashed. I also award the team with the best box with a bag of candy.
(The Candy Box challenge can also be found in the Escape Room resource. If purchased separately there is a Bonus Challenge for creating a candy box at Christmas time.)
Math Activities



I hope you have latched onto an idea or two (or three) that will get you through the busy month of February. Consider an Escape Room for your class party of a STEM Challenge in those days leading up to February 14th! Have fun!
