Every Big Idea Starts Small
Every big idea begins with a single piece — a spark of imagination that grows into something larger than itself. Think Outside the Box (TOBI) began the same way: with one idea and a simple goal — to bring the benefits of puzzle learning to more families and groups in Elkhart County.
From our seven years in the escape room business, we learned two powerful lessons:
- When kids, families, and friends come together to solve a puzzle, something magical happens. They laugh, they think, they communicate, and most of all — they connect.
- Many families in our area loved the experience but couldn’t afford it. The joy of learning through play was often beyond their reach.
Today, that one small puzzle piece has grown into something much bigger — a community of people who believe creative, hands-on learning should be accessible to everyone.
Building Connections Through Play
At Think Outside the Box, we believe that play isn’t just for kids. It’s how we learn, how we bond, and how we see the world in new ways. Our programs bring that philosophy to life through adventures that blend storytelling, puzzles, and exploration.
Why Puzzle Learning Matters
In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to forget how powerful hands-on play can be. When children solve puzzles together, they’re not just playing — they’re developing critical thinking, communication, and confidence.
These skills go far beyond the game itself. We’ve seen shy kids light up when they solve a challenge, and families laugh together in ways they haven’t in years. Teachers tell us that the teamwork built through puzzles carries over into the classroom.
Our mission is to make these moments possible — to remind people that learning can be joyful, social, and full of wonder.
Here’s what we’re building together right now:
🆓 Free Programs
🗺️ Elkhart County Scavenger Hunt
The Elkhart County Scavenger Hunt lives in our very own TOBI App, currently available on the Google Play Store (Apple App Store coming soon). This free game lets players choose an area of Elkhart County to explore, visiting local landmarks and businesses to find unique objects, answer trivia, and complete creative puzzles. It’s a fun way to discover our community — one clue at a time.
🎨 Monthly Kids’ Events (Starting Soon)
Each month, we host hands-on events at local libraries and community spaces that combine crafts, puzzles, and interactive fun. These sessions encourage kids to think critically while creating something they can take home. Every event has a new theme — from Back to School Brain Games to Holiday Puzzle Parties.
💰 Low-Cost Games
🌳 Outdoor Adventures
These are our signature outdoor community games. Main Street Mysteries — created in partnership with the local historical society — turns downtown Goshen into a living puzzle trail where families follow the clues of a 1940s-era gangster and uncover hidden pieces of history.
Our Superstitions game invites players to explore nature and folklore through puzzles in local parks — a perfect mix of curiosity, storytelling, and adventure.
🔐 Private Games
🧳 The Mobile Escape Games
Imagine an entire escape room setup at your party! Designed for up to 10 players, we bring the experience to offices and home gatherings — creating quick, hands-on adventures that spark teamwork, communication, and creativity.
With multiple themes to choose from, the locks, props, and mystery bring a ton of fun to any event. Each setup is unique, and every group discovers something new about themselves along the way.
💛 Membership Program
The Youth Adventure Program (Available Soon)
This program connects donors directly to impact. For just $9 a month, members help fund free kids’ events and support the overall mission of Think Outside the Box — giving kids opportunities to play, learn, and grow at no cost. Members receive exclusive updates, discounts, and a front-row seat to the magic they’re helping create.
The Impact in Real Life
At one of our recent outdoor adventures, a grandmother joined her two grandkids to play Main Street Mysteries. She told us afterward, “I thought I was just here to watch, but I ended up solving half the clues!” Moments like that remind us that puzzles bring generations together — just thinking, laughing, and learning side by side.
These are the experiences your support makes possible.
What’s Next: A Year of Imagination
We’re just getting started — and the next pieces of the puzzle are already on the table.
In the coming year, Think Outside the Box will:
- 🚀 Launch classroom-sized games that travel to middle and high schools.
- 🌳 Expand our outdoor adventures to even more communities across Elkhart County.
- 🎉 Host fundraisers and community events that bring people together for good causes.
Every new project is designed to connect — people, puzzles, and possibilities.
The Missing Piece: You
Every puzzle has one piece that brings it all together. For us, that piece is you.
Your donation — whether big or small — helps us continue to create programs that inspire, educate, and bring joy to our community. It funds materials for kids’ events, supports the building of classroom games, and allows us to dream bigger for the next generation of thinkers and creators.
When you support Think Outside the Box, you’re not just giving money. You’re giving opportunity, laughter, teamwork, and imagination. You’re helping us fill the world with a little more wonder.
How You Can Help
There are so many ways to join the adventure:
- Donate: Every dollar funds materials, props, and free programs for kids.
- Volunteer: Help at events, lead a craft station, or assist during puzzle nights.
- Spread the Word: Share our posts, tell a friend, or invite your workplace to book a Mobile Escape Game.
Whether you give time, treasure, or simply enthusiasm — every contribution adds another piece to the puzzle.
Each time a new family joins an event, a volunteer helps lead a puzzle, or a local sponsor steps forward, another piece of our community comes together. Piece by piece, we’re building a brighter, more connected Elkhart County — one filled with curiosity, creativity, and compassion.
Ready to Help?
We invite you to join us on this journey — to become the next piece in our growing puzzle.
👉 Donate today at thinkoutsidetheboxinc.org
Every dollar helps us add another piece — and together, we’ll build something extraordinary, one puzzle at a time.