Many parents wonder if escape rooms are appropriate for children. Today, we shall provide an answer to this question and offer some pointers.
Before diving into the specifics, we need to pose a fundamental question: Can I accompany my child to an escape room? You bet! Now that the most difficult question is out of the way, let’s discuss the specifics.
Sadly, no. The main reason is that many escape rooms contain narrative or decorative elements that might not be appropriate for young children. Of particular note are the rooms marked with telltale ‘+16’ and ‘+18’ signs. The matter is crystal clear in those cases. If we try to enter a room like that with young children, we are likely to be turned back by the staff. Trust us, they will be doing us a favour.
Other rooms are usually appropriate for teenagers, but not necessarily for young children. That’s why we should be on the lookout for children-friendly rooms which are usually properly marked. This sign guarantees that the proprietor has made the room child-friendly and safe. Additionally, it means children will likely be able to participate in the game without their caregiver (although this is by no means a hard-and-fast rule – best to consult the selected room’s managers before the visit).
A birthday party? A family outing? School integration? Yes on all counts! Many companies offering children- and family-friendly rooms also provide special spaces where kids can play before and after the game proper. Many establishments rent out party rooms, which allows the guests to use escape rooms as an integral part of the party itself. It’s sufficient to consult the staff – they are bound to arrange things in such a way that the kids can fully enjoy all the time spent there.
It really depends on the nature of the visit and your personal desires. If it’s a family outing, there’s no reason why several generations shouldn’t have fun in the same room. It’s a tremendously popular way to spend a weekend afternoon, which is bound to strengthen family bonds.
However, if it’s a kids-only party, it really depends on the establishment of choice and your expectations. Some establishments offer the assistance of professional entertainers which allows the parents to enjoy a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe. Others will allow you inside the supervision room, thus permitting you to enjoy the sight of your kids solving various puzzles. We have advised parents many times on how and where to best spend their time off, and the proprietors of the rooms have always supported their initiatives and expectations, no matter how weird or crazy. After all, fun is the name of the game!
Put simply: there is no comparison. Even though escape rooms are inspired by computer adventure games, they have long since gone their own way, forging their own unique path. If you’ve ever been to a room like that without kids, you know exactly what I mean!
However, when it comes to kids, we must mention an important educational aspect of this form of entertainment. Tasks and puzzles within the rooms always test a specific ability, such as connecting the dots, observation, cooperation or logical thinking. We could go on and on. Bear in mind that each of those abilities is immensely useful outside of the escape rooms as well, and comes in handy at school and, of course, in everyday life. The child’s brain is at its peak absorptive power, and the stimuli escape rooms provide are conducive to the kids’ intellectual development.
Then there’s the social aspect as well. Cooperation is practically mandatory in those rooms. Having fun in a fantasy setting has got to be the best way of instilling the spirit of cooperation in our kids.
Happy family outings!
Editor-in-chief
Journalist and indologist by profession. Writer, marketer, tarantulas keeper and urbex explorer by heart. In the meantime I’m playing escape rooms and board games, and wondering how I can find time to sleep (still dunno). I was born to write - my favourite forms of expression are extensive articles preceded by a long research, and horror stories (for some it’s the same).
Keeping the world informed about events is our responsibility. It's also an opportunity to encourage new puzzle fans to take part in exciting activities. That is why we are doubly happy, as a patron, to inform you that this year's ER Champ event has already been set! What else do we know about the sixth edition? Let’s check it!
mrok