Setup Guide and Tips for large groups.
Breaking News!
Exciting news! We've re-released The Lost Mummy as version 2 with all new artwork, more interesting puzzles, and more engaging gameplay.
If you've already download Version 1 of the game just head over to your Games & Account page to download the new version. We've also emailed a link to anyone who had previously purchased version 1 so you could search your inbox for the email titled "Here's your free escape room kit"
If you would still like to play Version 1 of the game just keep scrolling down for everything you'll need!
The Ground Trembles...
As an explorer, you have always loved Egypt. It’s where your great grandfather, Howard Carter, discovered the remains of the ancient pharaoh Tutankhamen.
On a walk beside the River Nile, you and some friends suddenly feel the ground shift beneath you, sending you all tumbling down a stony shaft into a lost tomb.
Will you find a way out, or will this become your tomb too?
You're the Host
As the host of this event you, or another adult, will prepare everything so the kids can escape.
Your role is like the Game Masters you're used to from other Escape Rooms. Once the game starts you'll do a quick intro, keep things running smoothly, and check answers for each challenge. Don't worry there's a simple 1-page cheat sheet.
The rest of this setup guide will take you through:
- Customizing the game (optional).
- Printing the kids escape game.
- Preparing the puzzle sheets.
- Adding extra style.
- Tips for classrooms and large parties.
Customize The Escape Game
(Optional)
Need inspiration? Check out this teacher's EPIC game modification here
If you plan to play the base game without customization, scroll down to Printing the Game.
However, if you enjoy creating custom puzzles, you can easily edit the game using the Builder’s Kit included in the download. This is easier than it sounds since the entire game is built using PowerPoint. In other words, if you're comfortable with editing a Word document you have all the skills you need to become an Escape Room Designer!
Just click on the Designers Guide folder, inside the game download, then open the Designers Guide.pptx file. For a full guide check out the Mod's page.
How to edit the game:
- Open the Designers Kit PowerPoint.
- Customize whatever you want using the included artwork or your own. Some great customization ideas include:
- Referring to the birthday child by name.
- Add the school, or holiday camp, name.
- Create puzzles around 'in' jokes or learning outcomes.
- Mix and match elements or combine with real-world props, such as padlocks. For example, 2 of the 3 challenges result in a 4 digit code so you can quickly add a combination lock.
Printing The Escape Kit
Open the PDF file Game - The Lost Mummy.pdf and print the escape kit on standard paper. It's sized for US paper sizes but will still print on international paper (A4).
There's no need to use high gloss paper, or professional printing since the gritty style looks almost identical either way. Using thicker paper does add a nice touch, but again it's by no means necessary.
The game is designed for a team of 4-6 players. So, if you have a larger group, just print the kit out several times, and run the game as a competitive team event. For example:
- 2-6 players = print once.
- 7-12 players = print twice.
- 13-18 players = print 3 times.
Optional Posters and Birthday Party Invites:
The Lost Mummy also includes optional posters, and party invites, to make the experience even more immersive. None of these are required to play the game, but if you want to go the extra mile, it’s totally worth it!
To print the posters just open the pdf under Posters folder. You'll most likely only want a few of them, so when you click print type in the slide numbers separated by commas.
If you'd like to print the birthday party invites you can find these under the Invitations folder. Open the PowerPoint file and edit whichever invite you like the most.
These are perfectly sized to be printed as normal 4x6 photos (the small photos people always print). To export the final invitation choose File -> Export -> Choose the JPEG file format and Save every slide. This will export all of them as photos, so delete whichever ones you don't want.
From here you can print them as photos by putting them on a USB drive. Alternatively, just share them via Facebook or Instagram.
Setup the Puzzle Sheets
The Lost Mummy requires players to solve 3 major challenges. Start by separating the game into 3 challenge piles, as well as the victory sheets.
Placing each pile of cards in a different room makes for a more immersive experience. However, if you're short on space, just give the kids the first challenge, and when they solve it pass them the puzzle sheets for Challenge 2.
Once of the first sheets in the pack is the Answers and Walkthrough guide, which will be your cheat sheet for guiding the kids through the escape kit.
Now you're ready to begin the game!
Follow this basic script when kids arrive:
- Since this is a new experience for most children, explain how escape rooms work. A good hook is asking if anyone's played a digital escape room app.
- Show them the intro story video below.
- Each team should appoint a leader and choose a team name.
- Each team will face 3 challenges.
- When a team solves a challenge, the team leader brings the answer to you. If the answer is correct, you will give them the next challenge.
- (Optional) Teams can race with the winning team finishing first, or play this 60-minute timer video on your phone.
- (Optional) If they can't complete the game in time they'll need to drink 'mummy juice' from a canopic jar to survive as long as possible. Then give them a hint to get through. You can make 'mummy juice' by blending M&M's, milk & ketchup into a smoothie. It looks gross but tastes ok and kids love this stuff.
- They will need pens, scissors, glue/tape, and spare paper.
- Point out the intro story in Challenge 1, and let them know they can begin!
During the game, refer to the 'Answers and Walkthrough' sheet, that's part of the printout.
Bonus: Add authentic Egyptian style with these optional extras
Add combination padlocks
Some of the solutions have been designed as 4 digit codes, so you can easily add combination padlocks to the game. To do this:
- Place the next challenge's puzzles sheets in a box or container.
- Seal it with a padlock and set it to one of the combinations below.
Long Lost Chamber: 3245
Which way Out: 1232
Posters and Invites
Print as many, or as few of these as you like:
- Scene Posters: great for setting the mood in each room
- Victory posters: for group selfies
- Invites: print or share these directly on Facebook
Get Additional Props
- Stick the puzzle sheets in piles on sand on a table.
- Add stones, sticks and torn fabric.
- Get small Egyptian toys, like these, so each child goes home with a memorable gift.
- Grab some Egyptian wall stickers or other themed props like inflatable palm trees.
How to run the escape game in a classroom or large group:
The best way to run The Lost Mummy for a classroom, or large party, is a simultaneous race to finish first.
Just print out a copy of the game for every 4-6 players then follow these steps:
- Split the larger group into several teams of 4-6 kids that will race to finish first.
- Each group can play simultaneously.
- Hand out just the first challenge to each team, and get them to come to you with their answers. When they get it correct pass them the next challenge. This helps keep things in order and prevents confusion.
- Make a big event out of revealing the winning team since this will be a highlight of the challenge.
Want More Adventure?
