Halloween Escape Room | Who Stole the Pumpkin? | K–2 Math & Literacy

Turn your classroom into a Halloween detective headquarters with this engaging Halloween Escape Room for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and adaptable Grade 2 learners! Students work in teams to solve 6 sequential mystery puzzles, uncover evidence, eliminate suspects, find the missing pumpkin, and reveal who took it. Who Stole the Pumpkin? is a low-prep, print-and-play Halloween mystery that combines early math, literacy, logic, problem solving, and teamwork in one exciting classroom experience. THE STORY The giant pumpkin was supposed to be the star of the Halloween party... but this morning, it is gone! Five suspects were at school the night it disappeared. Students become junior detectives and follow six pieces of evidence to solve the case. HOW IT WORKS Students: • Meet 5 silly suspects • Complete 6 sequential clue puzzles • Solve addition within 10 • Decode a secret message • Use matching and logic clues • Follow a visual pumpkin-seed trail • Eliminate suspects using evidence • Complete a detective Case File • Identify who took the pumpkin and where the pumpkin is hidden Each completed puzzle reveals a new piece of evidence, keeping students engaged from beginning to end. SKILLS INCLUDED Math: • Addition within 10 • Counting to 20 • Number and letter decoding Literacy: • Letter recognition • Reading direction • Short written explanation Critical Thinking: • Logic • Deduction • Drawing conclusions from evidence • Visual tracking Social Skills: • Teamwork • Communication • Problem solving • Perseverance DIFFERENTIATION Kindergarten: • Teacher-led • Read clues aloud • Whole-group solving • Picture-supported Puzzle 3 Grade 1: • Small-group or team solving • Partner reading • Puzzle 3 in Version A or B Grade 2: • More independent team solving • Logic-grid version of Puzzle 3 • Written evidence-based conclusion QUICK & LOW PREP Time: 30–45 minutes Players: Teams of 3–5 Materials: Printer, pencils, crayons Optional: 6 envelopes for an escape-room-style setup WHAT'S INCLUDED: • Teacher Overview & Skills • Teacher Instructions • Differentiation Guide • Story Introduction • 5 Suspect Cards • Detective Mission Board • 6 Puzzle Challenges • Puzzle 3 in 2 differentiated versions • Detective Case File • Case File Solution • Evidence Envelope Labels • 12 Hint Cards • Detailed Teacher Answer Guide • Case Closed Page • Detective Certificates • Full-Color Version • Low-Ink Version PERFECT FOR: • Halloween classroom parties • Halloween centers • Small-group activities • Team-building • Early finishers • Math and literacy review • Problem-solving practice • October classroom fun No physical locks are required. Simply print, organize the puzzles, and let your young detectives solve the case! 👉 Looking for more Halloween escape rooms? Check out the Halloween Escape Room Bundle from Emma Collins Learning Lab and save when you grab the complete collection.