How to Run an In the Hall of the Mountain King Escape Room in Your Music Classroom

Want to hook your students with music history, story, and interactive learning—all in one lesson? An escape room–style activity is the perfect way to make Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King unforgettable.

Here’s how you can set one up in your classroom this October (or any time of year).

Step 1: Set the Scene

• Start with a read-aloud of the picture book In the Hall of the Mountain King. This helps students connect to the story of Peer Gynt before diving into the music.
  
• Briefly introduce composer Edvard Grieg—who he was, when he lived, and why his music is still famous today.
  
• Play a clip of the piece to get students listening for its sneaky, growing energy.

Step 2: Organize Your Escape Room Stations

Divide students into small groups (3–5 students) and set up four challenge stations around the room. Each station rewards the group with a special “tool” they’ll need to escape.

• Station 1 – Lantern (Story Sequencing): Students put the events of Peer Gynt in the correct order using cards.
  
• Station 2 – Rope (Composer Quiz): Students answer multiple-choice questions about Grieg and his music.
  
• Station 3 – Map (Soothe the Trolls): Students match stick notation patterns to staff notation, singing them aloud as they work.
  
• Station 4 – Key (Rhythm Challenge): Students identify or perform rhythm patterns to unlock the “right key.”

After checking answers with you, groups collect the item card for that station and move on.

Step 3: The Final Teacher-Led Challenge

Once groups have earned the Lantern, Rope, Map, and Key, they face one last trial in the Mountain King’s throne room.

For the final challenge:

• Lead the whole class in performing a hand jive to the music.
  

Once they succeed, award them the Gem of Freedom—they’ve escaped the hall! 🎉

Not sure how to do the hand jive? Check out this video where I explain more! Start it at 2:08.

Step 4: Wrap It Up

End the lesson with a quick reflection:

• What did you notice about the music?
  
• How did the tempo and dynamics change as the piece went on?
  
• Which challenge was the hardest? Which was the most fun?
  

You can even play a short congratulatory video or sound effect to celebrate their escape.

Why This Works

• Students are active the whole time (moving, reading, performing, problem-solving).
  
• They’re reviewing rhythm, notation, and composer facts without it feeling like a quiz.
  
• The story-driven structure keeps everyone engaged—no one wants to get stuck in the Mountain King’s hall!

Want This Done-for-You?

Setting up an escape room from scratch can take some time—printing, cutting, making slides, and organizing reward items.

That’s why I created a ready-to-use version of this exact activity:
👉 In the Hall of the Mountain King Escape Room Activity on TPT

It includes:

• A teacher slide deck for introducing Grieg and setting up the challenge
  
• Printable station materials (worksheets, story cards, rhythm cards, composer quiz)
  
• Reward item cards (Lantern, Rope, Map, Key, Gem)
  
• A step-by-step guide so you can just print, prep, and play
  

Everything is ready to go so you can focus on teaching and let your students dive into the adventure.