Puzzle Trail

Teams solve a chain of short puzzles, each answer unlocking the next, to reach a final code before time runs out, like a mini escape room.

Time: 30 to 45 minutes
People: 4 to 30
Where: In person or Virtual
You need: four to six prepared puzzles, envelopes or a shared slide deck, timer

How to play

Before the session, write four to six short puzzles, such as a riddle, a simple letter-shift code, a word search and a number pattern.
Make each answer give one digit or letter of a final code, and note the order on an answer sheet.
Seal each puzzle in a numbered envelope, or put them on separate slides that teams receive after giving the host the previous answer.
Split into teams of three to five and start a thirty-minute timer.
Teams solve the puzzles in order and check each answer with the host before getting the next one.
The first team to submit the correct final code wins; review the trickiest puzzle together at the end.

Offer each team one hint card, so no group stays stuck and frustrated.
Mix puzzle types, wordy, visual and numeric, so different thinkers each get a moment to shine.
On a video call, put each team in a breakout room and have them message their answers to the host.

Story mode: wrap the puzzles in a theme, like finding a lost recipe before the office party starts.
Build your own: teams write a puzzle for another team to solve in the next round.