Civil War Escape Room Project Activity: Team Up to Crack Vigenère Cipher!

In this outstanding Civil War Escape Room activity, students work in collaborative teams to crack a real historical cipher known as the Vigenère Cipher that was developed in the 16th century and later popularized by the Confederate States of America as a way to relay messages behind Union lines. This Escape Room is a hit for students as they race against the clock to unlock a real historical cipher.

Students are placed in the shoes of code-crackers trying to solve several clues written in the challenging (but rewarding) Vigenere Cipher populated by Civil War soldiers. Do you have what it takes to crack the code and win the challenge?

Students use the Vigenère Cipher to translate four secret clues, conduct research or use background knowledge, and solve the final clue by piecing together the information they have learned. A 60-minute timer is also included to display as student teams try to break the code!

★ Guaranteed to excite and engage your classroom!

★ Leave your students asking for more (like mine do)!

Don't have a box or a lock? No worries -- simple workaround ideas are included that keep students focused!