How to Create an Indiana Jones Style Escape Game at Home
When we were kids growing up in the 80s, movies like The Goonies and Indiana Jones did something magical. They made us believe treasure maps were real. That secret doors existed. That somewhere out there, hidden under layers of history, was something waiting to be discovered.
We did not want to just watch adventures. We wanted to live them.
That childhood obsession with puzzles, codes, and lost cities is exactly what inspired The Lost City of Gold, one of the adventures inside our Adventure Escape Game Kit.
And if your kids love mystery, teamwork, and solving clues, this jungle-themed escape game might be the most exciting screen-free night you plan all year.
If you want to try the experience before going all in, download our Free 20-Minute Escape Game Starter Challenge for kids ages 9 to 13. It is a fast, no stress way to see just how hooked your kids will get once the puzzles begin.
The Story That Pulls Kids In
In The Lost City of Gold, your team discovers an ancient carved artifact deep in the rainforest. The statue is unusual. Its right eye, ear, and tongue are hollowed out.
Why?
What do those openings reveal?
Guided by legends and a worn notebook filled with clues, players begin piecing together the mystery of a vanished civilization. Each solved puzzle unlocks new information. Each code cracked brings them closer to uncovering the Lost City.
The storyline pulls kids in, but the real magic happens in the thinking.
What Kids Are Really Learning
While they believe they are racing through the jungle, they are actually building:
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Logical reasoning
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Pattern recognition
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Code breaking skills
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Communication and teamwork
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Perseverance when something feels tricky
This is why escape games are such powerful screen free tools. They combine story and challenge in a way worksheets simply cannot.
If you want to see how quickly kids lock into this style of learning, download our Free 20-Minute Escape Game Starter Challenge and try it this weekend. It is designed to be simple to set up and incredibly engaging.
Perfect for Sleepovers, Birthdays, and Family Game Night
The Lost City of Gold works beautifully for:
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Birthday parties
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Family game night
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Homeschool enrichment
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Youth group activities
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Rainy weekend boredom busters
With 2 to 4 players and two levels of difficulty, it works for ages 8 to 13. That flexibility makes it especially helpful if you have mixed ages.
Have younger siblings at home too? Our Printable Puzzle Game for ages 5 to 9 is a fantastic parallel option so everyone gets their own challenge at the right level.
How to Set Up the Jungle Adventure
Setting up the adventure is straightforward, and we include detailed instructions inside the Adventure Escape Game Kit. Here is a quick overview:
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Print the game materials in color for the most immersive experience. A black-and-white version is also included.
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Cut out and prepare the clues and puzzle components.
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Set up the resettable locks included in the kit.
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Hide clues and puzzle pieces in the suggested locations to create the feel of a real jungle expedition.
Parents often tell us that setup takes less time than they expected. And once it begins, the kids are fully invested.
If you are not sure your crew is ready for a full jungle expedition, start with our 20-Minute Escape Game Starter Challenge. It gives you a quick win and builds excitement for a bigger adventure.
Playing the Game
Once everything is set:
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Gather your team of explorers
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Read the opening story together
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Let the puzzle solving begin
Players must collaborate to decode messages, connect clues, and unlock secrets. No one person can dominate. It requires shared thinking and communication.
This is the kind of challenge that builds confidence. You can see it in their faces when they finally crack a code that seemed impossible five minutes earlier.
Why We Created This
As parents, we wanted more than passive entertainment. We wanted our kids to feel what we felt watching those adventure movies growing up. Curiosity. Tension. The thrill of solving puzzles.
So we built it.
The Lost City of Gold is one of four themed adventures included in the Adventure Escape Game Kit.
You can also explore:
Each one offers a completely different storyline and puzzle experience while building the same critical thinking skills.
Ready to Start the Adventure?
If your kids love treasure hunts, mysteries, and Indiana Jones style action, The Lost City of Gold might become a family favorite.
Start small and download the Free 20-Minute Escape Game Starter Challenge today. It is the easiest way to see how much your kids love solving, collaborating, and thinking deeply.
Then, when they ask for more adventure, you will know exactly what to do.
Your adventure is waiting.
