Most escape rooms are designed for adults, with complex puzzles and mysteries scattered throughout. If you've ever completed an escape room, you've likely come across some scenarios that were so challenging, or so difficult that a child could never possibly figure them out. Well, you might be wrong. 

An escape room can be a great way for children to test their problem-solving skills and flex their creative muscles. You may be surprised by what your child can offer during the escape room experience. Children see the world and, more importantly, problems far differently than adults. Adults are textbook overthinkers, and sometimes a problem requires a simple solution! 

Here at PuzzleWorks, we know that children under the age of 10 may struggle a bit while making their way through an escape room, but that doesn't mean they aren't welcome! As a parent or guardian, you may be wondering what to expect when taking your child to their first escape room — or what you can do to help guide their experience. Well, we're here to help! 

If you're new to the escape room scene, you might feel a little lost, but we'll get you all caught up. 

The Ins and Outs of an Escape Room 

Escape rooms are 60-minute adventures that put you and your group in the driver's seat of an incredible real-world puzzle. Escape rooms are thematic and can range from crime-solving mysteries to full-blown vault heists. Decipher codes, solve puzzles, and crack riddles to advance through the escape room and eventually escape in time. 

Most escape rooms have roughly an hour time-limit to challenge escapees and progressive puzzles that build upon the previous challenge. Most escape rooms have a team-based foundational approach to their challenges — which means working together is a must. 

Young teens or children may be amazed by the immersive world that escape rooms offer, but we would be lying if there weren't some hurdles for younger ones. Sure, the puzzles can be a tad complex, and some of the problem-solving could be a little out of their league — but the real test is how to encourage effective communication and focus. 

Tips and Tricks for Navigating an Escape Room With a Child 

Sure, the goal of every escape room is to make it out in time, but the real goal is to have fun with your squad! There are a lot of ways for parents and guardians to prepare for their escape room adventure by gearing up beforehand and preparing for their journey. 

Do Some Research! 

As we mentioned, most escape rooms have themes, and it's important to do some research to determine which room you feel comfortable navigating with your child. Some escape rooms might incorporate scary or bloody or scary themes that may be too much for certain audiences. Others are lighthearted and fun crime mysteries that you can solve as a team of detectives. 

Once you've nailed down which type of escape room you're going to try, you'll be better equipped to talk to and prepare your child for the road ahead. If you're worried about what to expect during your escape room experience, call ahead! Escape room staff will be happy to walk you through some obstacles your group may face.

Have a Chat With Your Child 

An escape room can sound a bit terrifying to a child, and it doesn't help that a scary movie is named after one either. Explaining what an escape room is and how it works can help alleviate some stress or anxiety a child may be facing before traversing through puzzles and embarking on the ultimate quest. Veterans know how an escape rooms work and can typically walk into any number of adventure rooms, get their bearings, and start solving without any hiccups. If you're a veteran, give your kids some tips to help get the gears turning!

If you're new to escape rooms yourself — we have some tips for you too! Check out our 5 Tips for Your First Escape Room! That should help get you started and equip you with the information you need to have a chat with your child. 

Talk to your child about what they can expect, what they should be looking for, and how to communicate what they've found! Escape rooms are perfect for out of the box thinkers, and you want to encourage them every step of the way. So, before the escape room even starts, make sure to give them a confidence boost and share with them the importance of teamwork. After all, this is a team game! It's not a solo mission, so be sure to let them know that one teammate's victory on a puzzle is everyone's victory! 

Ask them questions, try a puzzle or two before the escape room, and remember...have fun! 

Set Expectations (For Yourself) 

Escape rooms are a blast, but they are a challenge. They are a test of patience and teamwork, so it's not a bad idea to think about how your child may react in this environment. Escape rooms are a true test in problem-solving, but even more so, they are a test in communication. If you're not able to communicate, explain, teach, and guide your child — even going the extra mile to help them navigate tough situations, it may not be the perfect family outing your looking for. However, with a little guidance, perseverance, and some extra patience sprinkled in — escape rooms can be a great activity for children to be involved in. 

Unless your child is the next Magnus Carlsen, it's unrealistic to expect them to solve a lot of the complex puzzles involved in an escape room. However, that doesn't mean they won't surprise you. 

Escape rooms are designed for the outside the box thinkers, and children often disregard the box entirely. There will always be some aspect of a puzzle that your child will likely be able to help out with, especially finding parts and clues. While they may not be able to put the pieces together, they'll do you great service in finding the pieces themselves. Your children can also typically help out with: 

• Number games

• Word searches 

• Pattern recognition 

• Locating objects or clues 

Don't sit your child on the sideline; let them see how you think! It's no fun if they're told to sit quietly while you solve all of the puzzles. Keep them involved and turn their curiosity up a notch! 

Don't Forget to Have Fun! 

Escape rooms are first and foremost, for fun — so don't forget it! While it feels amazing to complete the adventure in time, it's nothing compared to watching your child solve a puzzle and feel accomplished. Escape rooms can be a great way to celebrate and come together with friends or family. 

Escape rooms are perfect for birthday parties, so blow out those candles with style and celebrate as a family by coming together to escape in time!