Over the past few years, escape rooms have surged in popularity, often seen as an activity for adults—a fun night out with friends or a team-building experience for coworkers. But what about trying an escape room with your family? As a parent and an escape room owner with young children, I know firsthand how rewarding and fun it can be to bring your kids along for the challenge!
What to Expect
Escape rooms are immersive, puzzle-solving adventures where the goal is to solve a series of clues and “escape” before time runs out. But don’t worry—you’re not really locked in! It’s all about solving puzzles and having fun as a team.
Bringing your kids adds a whole new level of excitement (and challenge) to the experience, but with a little preparation, it can be an unforgettable family day out.
Tips for a Great Family Experience
1. Double-Check the Theme
Before booking, check the theme to make sure it’s suitable for your child. Some rooms can be too intense or scary for young kids, but many escape rooms (like ours!) are happy to make adjustments to tone down any frightening elements if needed. Always ask the escape room if they can modify the experience to better suit your child’s comfort level.
2. Call Ahead About Younger Children
It’s important to check with the escape room in advance if you’re planning to bring very young children. Most escape rooms won’t mind if you bring a baby in a carrier, but toddlers and children under 5 can be trickier to manage in the space. Be prepared to engage your kids and keep them involved in a way that works for everyone.
3. Understand the Experience Will Be Different
Participating in an escape room with kids is a different experience than with adults. As a parent, it’s a wonderful opportunity to help your child embrace problem-solving. Even if you don’t escape in 60 minutes, it’s a great way to teach them about teamwork, patience, and following the rules. Remember, the fun is in the journey!
4. Treat the Room Like a Store
Escape rooms are designed for adults, which means the props and items are delicate. Just like in a store, remind your kids to handle everything with care. Breaking props can stop the fun, so help your little ones understand the importance of being gentle with the puzzles and objects they interact with.
5. Embrace the Teamwork
Escape rooms are still a ton of fun with kids! The key is to approach the challenge with a true teamwork mentality. Let your kids try to solve puzzles, encourage their ideas, and help them feel like an important part of the team. It’s all about working together to achieve a common goal.
6. Have Older Kids? Take it to the Next Level
Have kids at least 13 years old and want a challenge? Try our Dive to Atlantis like the Seattle Times did. It’s The Escape Artist’s newest room and one of Seattle’s only full-motion escape rooms! It promises a thrilling adventure for older kids and adults alike!
Our Family Escape Room Experience
When we did an escape room with our then 2-year-old, it was definitely an adventure! She wanted to touch everything. We quickly turned it into a game by swapping who got to search the room—while one of us was on puzzle duty, the other was on toddler duty. It added an extra layer of fun (and challenge), but it kept us all engaged.
Now that she’s older, she gets more involved in solving the puzzles, and that makes the experience even more fulfilling. Watching her connect the clues and participate in the teamwork aspect has made our family escape room adventures that much more rewarding. Even when we don’t escape in time, the joy and excitement we share during the process make it all worth it.
Helpful Tips for Families
- Plan Ahead: Use the bathroom and grab a snack before starting. It’s like watching a movie—you don’t want to miss a moment of the action!
- Choose the Right Difficulty: Some escape rooms have varying levels of difficulty. If it’s your first time with kids, choosing an easier room can help everyone feel more comfortable and enjoy the experience without frustration.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Remember, the goal is to have fun. Whether you escape or not, it’s a great opportunity to show your kids that the fun is in trying and learning together.
Final Thoughts
Escape rooms are not just for adults—bringing kids into the mix can make for an incredibly fun and memorable family day! As an escape room owner with young children, I encourage you to consider a family escape room adventure. With a bit of preparation, it can be a unique bonding experience full of teamwork, laughter, and excitement.
Thinking about trying an escape room with your family? Try The Escape Artist! Contact us to ask about child-friendly options, and let’s start planning your next adventure!