Inside: Useful tips for an escape room birthday.
Escape room parties have been all the rage for a few years now, and the trend shows no sign of stopping. From large companies holding team-building events to friends and family taking a short break from the grind of daily life, escape rooms have become something of a party institution.
And for good reason! An escape room party is a grand old time.
You’ll see your friends and family at their best (and hopefully not so much, their worst) as they try to follow the clues and solve the puzzles to make it to the grand finale and escape the room.
However, throwing a party to allow your guests the chance to escape from a locked room can be a stressful business. You want everyone to have fun and for it to be a success, without the day being an utter disaster because of one small oversight. And this is where we come in.
But first, a quick refresher for you!
Table of Contents
What’s An Escape Room Party?
Escape rooms are essentially themed puzzle games. By solving the right puzzles and by working together, the players eventually find a way to escape from the “room.”
There are all sorts of escape room games out there, from horror stories involving witches to mystery novels wrapped up in the art of illusion. The host usually prepares a story to serve as the backdrop for the party. Once that’s settled, all that’s required is a group of people, some eagerness to work together and solve problems, and a little bit of luck.
Of course, escape room parties don’t just happen spontaneously. There’s some prep involved beforehand to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day. The following are some helpful tips on how to host an escape room party that everyone will enjoy.
Tips For An Awesome Escape Room Birthday
Pick The Right Room
There are a great many escape rooms out there. From single-room games to multi-level setups, the possibilities are nearly endless. Large, open rooms with hard surfaces are generally not the best place to host an escape room party. It’s also important to consider sightlines and accessibility for people who may have difficulty seeing or moving around easily.
The number of rooms will depend on the size of the group, but one or two should be good. Select a room that works for everyone involved and can accommodate a reasonable number of people at once.
Choose A Theme That Works With The People Involved
Because escape rooms are generally intended to be scary or immersive, it’s important to consider participants’ feelings when choosing a theme. If the room is too intense for certain participants, they may not enjoy the experience as much. The same goes for younger participants who are easily frightened by dark scenes and eerie music. If kids are going, it’s best to go with a family-appropriate escape room.
Be Prepared With Back-Up Plans
No matter how carefully a room is selected and prepared, emergencies can still happen. When going with an escape room birthday theme, it’s a good idea to have a back-up plan in case someone gets hurt or if certain props suddenly malfunction. Have a first-aid kit on hand with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and any other supplies needed to clean up a small cut or scrape.
Ensure that All Participants Are Ready To Work Together
It’s important to ensure from the get-go that all participants are on board with working together, otherwise chaos can quickly ensue. This is especially true of escape room parties with a competitive element. Everyone needs to be ready to communicate and think critically, or else the room will quickly be overrun.
Work With What You’ve Got
Escape rooms generally have a limited amount of props, so being creative with whatever is available will help to ensure that all participants can be involved in the puzzles.
Give The Participants A Brief Intro
It’s important to give participants a simple overview of what they can expect from the escape room party. Let them know what type of puzzles they’ll be solving, the types of rooms they’ll be playing in, and any other pertinent information that will help them have a good time.
Remember To Bring The Important Things!
When planning an escape room party, it’s important to remember the little things and the big things alike. Bring everything needed for a successful escape — clues, props, and anything else that could be helpful in solving puzzles. In addition, provide a good assortment of snacks and beverages so that participants can refuel between puzzles.
Checklist For Your Escape Room Party
As host, it’s up to you to make sure everything is prepared for the escape room birthday party or any escape room party, for that matter. Based on the tips above, consider the following checklist:
Before the Party
- Pick a great escape room theme that everyone will enjoy.
- Determine how many people can play at once. Think about size, age, and disabilities when making this decision.
- Prepare invitations ahead of time. Ask everyone to RSVP by a certain date.
- Arrange for food and drinks to be available before the escape room party begins and for the after-party.
- Find a comfortable location that has plenty of space for movement. The escape room shouldn’t be too intense or dark, considering the ages involved.
- Ensure that all props and puzzles work properly.
- Pick a back-up escape room in case of emergencies.
- Have emergency contact information readily available for everyone involved in the event.
During the Party
- Ensure that all participants are ready to work as a team and listen to directions carefully.
- Explain the rules of the escape room to participants before beginning.
- Give everyone time to ask questions and make sure they understand the process.
- Turn off all mobile gadgets.
- Give players a few moments to get used to the room before starting the clock.
- Let players know what happens if they decide to leave the party early.
- Promote a positive atmosphere by encouraging players to cheer for one another.
After the Party
- Once everyone is out, allow players to share stories and experiences with one another.
- Give players time to relax and mingle before beginning the after-party.
- Make sure the prizes are ready for those who made it out of the escape room the fastest.
Escape rooms are great party games that encourage group communication and cooperation. If done properly, they can be both fun and engaging for all involved. Remember to take photos or videos of the party, and encourage players to do the same, so that memories can last long after the event is over.
More Party Games You’ll Love
- Office Party Games – Who says you cannot have fun in the office. Try out these games to break the ice and loosen up the serious atmosphere. Get to know how fun people can be while enjoying your Christmas party.
- Creative Winter Party Games – Fun can still be done outside even if it is freezing cold. These games are family friendly and surely kids and adults will be playing them outside their home. There is tons of snow outdoors, you’ll never run out of ideas for fun.
- Christmas Board Games – You will never get bored with these board games. Keep yourself warm and cozy indoors and play these Christmas themed board games. Every year you will have more memories to reminisce and make.