Step into the world of World War II in this immersive escape room adventure for KS2 pupils. Using iPads and Augmented Reality, children work in teams to solve puzzles, collect virtual artefacts and uncover clues hidden inside Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms, evacuation routes and wartime factories. Through three exciting challenges, pupils discover how World War II began, explore the experiences of evacuated children and investigate the vital role women played in the war effort.Designed by teachers and linked to the KS2 curriculum, the workshop develops historical knowledge alongside essential skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving. As pupils progress through the adventure, they unlock key topic vocabulary, answer enquiry-based questions and earn points for their team on the national Puzzle Locker leaderboard.
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire
What activities are available during this school workshop?
Each Puzzle Locker Workshop Day includes three curriculum-linked activities for every participating class.
1. Pre-Workshop Introduction (45-60 minutes)
Before the escape room adventure begins, teachers receive a classroom-based PowerPoint briefing designed to build excitement and prepare pupils for the challenge ahead. The resource includes tutorial videos, key vocabulary, learning objectives and topic knowledge, helping children develop confidence and curiosity before their workshop.
2. The Escape Room Experience (60-70 minutes)
The main event takes place in the school hall. Using iPads and Augmented Reality, pupils work in teams to complete three enquiry-based escape room challenges, each lasting approximately 12-15 minutes. As they solve puzzles, collect virtual artefacts and uncover clues, pupils develop their understanding of World War II while practising communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3. Follow-Up Classroom Resources (60+ minutes)
Learning continues after the workshop with a teacher-created follow-up resource pack. Activities include word searches, crosswords, comprehension exercises, maths challenges and topic-based tasks designed to reinforce key knowledge, vocabulary and learning outcomes in a fun and engaging way.
1. Pre-Workshop Introduction (45-60 minutes)
Before the escape room adventure begins, teachers receive a classroom-based PowerPoint briefing designed to build excitement and prepare pupils for the challenge ahead. The resource includes tutorial videos, key vocabulary, learning objectives and topic knowledge, helping children develop confidence and curiosity before their workshop.
2. The Escape Room Experience (60-70 minutes)
The main event takes place in the school hall. Using iPads and Augmented Reality, pupils work in teams to complete three enquiry-based escape room challenges, each lasting approximately 12-15 minutes. As they solve puzzles, collect virtual artefacts and uncover clues, pupils develop their understanding of World War II while practising communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3. Follow-Up Classroom Resources (60+ minutes)
Learning continues after the workshop with a teacher-created follow-up resource pack. Activities include word searches, crosswords, comprehension exercises, maths challenges and topic-based tasks designed to reinforce key knowledge, vocabulary and learning outcomes in a fun and engaging way.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
World War Workshop
Remembrance Day World War II How and why the War started War and the British Empire War Propaganda Women in wartime Air Raids Blitz and Battle of Britain The Home Front Rationing Evacuation
In this immersive World War II escape room, pupils are transported back to 1939 to explore one of the most significant periods in modern history. Working in teams, they solve puzzles, collect virtual artefacts and uncover clues as they progress through three themed mini escape room challenges.
Each challenge is built around a key enquiry question and has been designed to support KS2 curriculum objectives while developing communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Room 1: Churchill's Bunker
Key Enquiry Question: What started World War II?
Three crucial objects have gone missing from Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. Pupils must solve a series of puzzles to recover the missing items before important wartime decisions can be made.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand when, why and how World War II began.
- Identify the Allies and Axis powers.
- Discover the key leaders involved in the conflict.
Curriculum Links
- A study of an aspect or theme in British history beyond 1066.
- Causes and consequences of World War II.
- Significant people and events in modern history.
Room 2: A Child's Evacuation
Key Enquiry Question: What happened during evacuation?
It's September 1939 and children are preparing to leave their homes for the countryside. Pupils must solve puzzles and recover the missing items needed to pack an evacuation suitcase.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand why children were evacuated during the war.
- Explore the essential items evacuees needed to take.
- Discover the emotional and social impact of evacuation.
Curriculum Links
- Life on the Home Front.
- Experiences of children during World War II.
- Historical empathy and understanding.
Room 3: Women at War
Key Enquiry Question: What role did women play during World War II?
Three important recruitment posters have disappeared from a wartime factory. Pupils must work together to recover them and discover how women helped Britain during the war.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the vital role of women working in factories.
- Explore how women served as medics and supported the armed forces.
- Discover the different wartime roles undertaken by women.
Curriculum Links
- The Home Front during World War II.
- Changing roles and responsibilities in society.
- The contribution of women during wartime.
By the end of the workshop, pupils will have answered three key enquiry questions, developed their understanding of World War II and explored how the conflict shaped Britain through an engaging, curriculum-linked learning experience.
What size groups do we cater for?
We work with 3-4 KS2 classes per day, and each class or year group can choose a workshop that fits their current topic.
Each escape room experience in the school hall can accommodate up to 36 pupils at once. We provide 12 interactive puzzle mats and 12 iPads, with pupils working in teams of three to complete the challenges.
Please note: The escape room must take place in the school hall. When booking, consider hall availability around breakfast clubs, break times, and lunch.
Each escape room experience in the school hall can accommodate up to 36 pupils at once. We provide 12 interactive puzzle mats and 12 iPads, with pupils working in teams of three to complete the challenges.
Please note: The escape room must take place in the school hall. When booking, consider hall availability around breakfast clubs, break times, and lunch.
Groups with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
We aim to make our workshops as inclusive as possible. However, our escape room experiences may be challenging for children with visual impairments.
As a new provider, we're committed to improving accessibility and welcome teacher feedback to help us adapt and develop our workshops for all pupils.
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Who are Puzzle Locker?
Puzzle Locker creates immersive Augmented Reality (AR) escape room workshops that bring the primary curriculum to life. Developed in collaboration with curriculum experts, our workshops combine engaging educational content with innovative AR technology to create unforgettable learning experiences for Key Stage 2 pupils.
Using iPads and interactive AR puzzle mats, we transform school halls into exciting team-based escape rooms where children solve curriculum-linked puzzles, uncover historical artefacts, answer enquiry questions and work together to complete immersive missions. Every experience is carefully designed to inspire curiosity, deepen subject knowledge and make learning both memorable and meaningful.
At the heart of every Puzzle Locker workshop are the 4Cs of 21st-century learning, helping children develop the skills they'll use throughout education and beyond.
Critical Thinking
Children analyse clues, identify patterns and solve increasingly challenging puzzles that encourage logical thinking and strategic decision-making.
Communication
Success depends on sharing ideas, listening carefully and discussing solutions, ensuring every team member contributes to the challenge.
Collaboration
Every pupil has an important role to play. Children work together, support one another and celebrate shared achievements as they progress through each mission.
Creativity
From decoding ancient symbols to uncovering hidden artefacts, pupils think imaginatively and approach problems from different perspectives.
More than just an enrichment activity, Puzzle Locker is a fully curriculum-linked learning experience that combines immersive technology, teamwork and enquiry-based learning to create lasting educational impact. Whether pupils are exploring Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Romans, Vikings, Tudors, Space or World War II, every workshop is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and leave children talking about their experience long after the day has finished.
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