🏺 ESCAPE THE PHARAOH'S TOMB
A Paper Escape Room · Ages 11–13
📜 THE STORY
The year is 1922. You are an archaeologist's assistant on a dig near the Valley of the Kings. While exploring a newly uncovered passageway, the entrance collapses behind you — sealing you inside the tomb of the forgotten Pharaoh Amenhotep the Wise.
On the wall ahead, a carved message reads:
> "Only those who know the secrets of Egypt shall pass.
> Solve the four trials of the tomb. Form the sacred four-part code.
> Speak it to the Sphinx, and the door shall open."
The final lock has 4 symbols: `[ _ ] [ _ ] [ _ ] [ _ ]`
Each trial you solve will reveal one part of the code. Work carefully — the Pharaoh rewards only the truly wise.
⚙️ STATION 1
The Riddle of the Gods
On the wall, painted in vivid colour, are images of Egyptian gods alongside a cryptic verse:
> "I have the head of a jackal and I guard the dead.
> My number is the letters in my name — minus two.*
> That number is your first clue."*
Your task: The god described is ANUBIS.
⚙️ STATION 2
The Hieroglyph Cipher
A stone tablet is etched with a message in a simple substitution cipher. The key is chiselled above it:
CIPHER KEY — shift each letter 3 places BACK in the alphabet
(Example: D → A, E → B, F → C)
Encoded message on the tablet:
> "WKH VDFUHG ELUG RI UD"
Decode only the LAST WORD: `UD`
(Hint: U → ?, A → ?)
Once decoded, the last word is the name of a sun god.
Count the letters in that decoded word.
Station 2 Code = [ __ ]
⚙️ STATION 3
The Pyramid Number Puzzle
Carved into the floor is a number pyramid. Each block contains the sum of the two blocks directly below it. Fill in all the missing numbers.
```
[ ? ]
/ \
[ 19 ] [ ? ]
/ \ / \
[ 8 ] [11] [ ? ]
/ \ / \ / \
[ 3 ] [5] [6] [?] [4]
```
Rules:
- Each number = the two numbers directly below it added together.
- Fill in every `[?]` from the bottom row upward.
The top number of the pyramid is your Station 3 Code.
Station 3 Code = [ __ ]
(Write the full number — it has two digits!)
⚙️ STATION 4
The Cartouche Letter Lock
A golden cartouche (the oval frame used to write a Pharaoh's name) hangs from the wall. Inside it is a riddle:
> I am the river that gave Egypt life.
> Without me, the desert would swallow the land.
> Farmers blessed my floods, and gods bore my name.
> What am I?
Answer the riddle (one word).
Now follow these steps:
Station 4 Code = [ __ ]
🔐 THE FINAL CODE
Collect your four answers and arrange them in order:
| Station | What you found | Your answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A number | [ __ ] |
| 2 | A number | [ __ ] |
| 3 | A number | [ __ ] |
| 4 | A letter | [ __ ] |
🔓 Enter the code into the Sphinx's lock:
`[ __ ] [ __ ] [ __ ] [ __ ]`
A deep rumbling fills the chamber. Stone grinds against stone. A thin line of golden light appears at the far wall — and grows wider…
> "You have proved yourself worthy. The Pharaoh's tomb releases you. Go forth, and honour the knowledge of Ancient Egypt."
🎉 YOU ESCAPED THE TOMB! 🎉
For the Parent — Answer Key
Station 1 — The Riddle of the Gods
- ANUBIS has 6 letters. 6 − 2 = 4
- ✅ Station 1 Code = 4
Station 2 — The Hieroglyph Cipher
- Shift each letter 3 places back: U(21) → R(18), D(4) → A(1)
- Decoded word = RA (the Egyptian sun god)
- RA has 2 letters
- ✅ Station 2 Code = 2
Station 3 — The Pyramid Number Puzzle
- Bottom row: 3, 5, 6, 5, 4
- Row 3: 8, 11, 9 (5 + 4 = 9)
- Row 2: 19, 20 (11 + 9 = 20)
- Top: 39 (19 + 20 = 39)
- ✅ Station 3 Code = 39
Station 4 — The Cartouche Letter Lock
- Answer to riddle = NILE
- 3rd letter of NILE = L
- ✅ Station 4 Code = L
✅ THE FINAL CODE IS: 4 · 2 · 39 · L
Tips for running the escape room:
- Print each station on a separate sheet of paper and hide them around the room, or place them in numbered envelopes.
- Set a timer (30–45 minutes works well) to add excitement.
- You may give up to 3 hint tokens that players can "spend" to ask for a clue.
- For a bonus challenge, ask players to research one fact about each answer (Anubis, Ra, the Nile) after escaping.