Let's be frank, but most escape room games are made for those with a functioning brain. After all, you have to know how to put the puzzles and clues together in order to find solutions that will enable you to move forward in the game play. This means that you need to have a pretty wide understanding of many different subject matters, as well as having a somewhat logical mind. When you think of the number of adults that fail to complete a regular escape game, around the 60%, then God knows what the number would be if we let loose little children, and gave them a shot at the same games.

Of course, this wouldn't be fair or correct as the puzzles and riddles would be far too difficult, leading to the children becoming bored within approximately 2 minutes or less. Also many of the games for adults have themes which are best suited for grown-ups, including some spooky and horrifying room situations which would certainly freak out and cause nightmares in your little ones. Unfortunately, when we look across the escape room games industry we don't find many games that are especially made to cater for the younger generation. Yes it's true, if you go online you’ll have no problem finding games and apps for children to play on tablets, especially when the parents want them to be quiet.

If you can't find an escape room that's been made especially with children in mind, and you are forced to take the family to an adult-based game, then there are a few factors you should check before you go in with the kids. Otherwise you could cause them real trauma or problems for the rest of their lives.

1. Make sure your kids are old enough

On the whole, you're going to find that most rooms will only accept children over the age of 12 years old. Especially if they want to play alone, or rather as a group of children. Most kids younger than this age can play if they are accompanied by an adult. As previously mentioned, the reason is quite simple, in that the puzzles and riddles will require a more mature amount of brain juice in order to solve them. You should also keep in mind that the games will last around an hour and that's plenty of time for little ones to become bored out of their little minds. Also, as an adult, you're not going to pass a very good hour if you're stuck in a small dark room with a group of whiny and bored children.

2. Choose an easier and age-appropriate room

When you're going to a regular escape room game business, then you should ask what are the simplest games they have for their age range. There's no point going in with a company kids, if the adults do all the work, and the children cannot understand but a single puzzle. Ideally you want puzzles or riddles that they can solve themselves. This will encourage them to be more immersed in the game and as a result, they’ll have a better time. Most games masters will know what to recommend depending on the age group of the players. As we previously mentioned, some themes could be deliberately spooky and macabre, which may be a little too frightening for small kids. Before attempting any room, we suggest that you go through all aspects of the narrative and gameplay with the game master.

3. Give kids a chance to solve the puzzle

If you're an adult and you're going to be a company of a group of children in an escape room game, then please, pretty please, let them have the possibility of solving their own puzzles, under their own steam. Yes we know, it's supremely boring watching little children running around like headless chickens, but you need to keep your mouth shut otherwise you will take away the possibility of their own victory and the feeling of success which is so important when it comes to kids solving problems. When you see that they are hopelessly stuck then. of course. you can lead them in the right direction, or simply let the games master do his job. But it's very important that you give them enough space and enough time that they can find their “Eureka” moment. Whatever you do, do not jump in and steal the thunder from small children. Though the reaction might be priceless, you will certainly regret it later on when they inform their parents. We suggest that when you enter the escape room, you divide the labour and give different children different tasks to do. This will help speed up what could otherwise be a very drawn out and boring process.

4. Be persistent and keep the energy level high

If you can't stand being around small children for any period of time, then we suggest you either stay at home or go and do something else, as taking part in the escape room game with kids will certainly not be your cup of tea. Essentially, you need the qualities of patience, empathy, and kindness, as well as a certain level of persistence, and the ability to keep the energy level pumped up. On the whole, kids will need some sort of encouragement as these puzzles and riddles are totally new to them and they will all be unsure of how to proceed. You want them to try and find the answers for themselves rather than relying on calling the games master or looking to you for the answers. A certain level of both interest and constant encouragement is needed from the adult present. This way, the children can go on to achieve greater things, in a self-sufficient manner.

5. Celebrate the victory

As the only adult in the room, you will have to use all your wiley skills as the clock ticks down towards the end of the game, and there are still some puzzles yet to be solved. In cases like this, you want to encourage the kids to look at things in a different way but without giving away the answer. Make them mentally stretch, and once you are happy with the effort and thought that has gone into finding a possible solution, then, and only then, should you give them a fatter or more obvious hint. It can be a little soul destroying for children if they are right at the point of completing the game and the clock tells them they have failed. Yes, we know that failure is a great education, but when you’ve paid for this escape room experience then let's try and have everyone be a winner, and make a pleasant day, as well as a fulfilling experience. 

What's equally important is what happens once the game is over. We suggest that you talk through the gameplay in great detail with all the kids present and ask their opinions, and maybe what things they might have done differently. Make an effort to point out all the great points, clues and puzzles solved, and how well everybody pulled together. Let them know there's a lesson within the game about working together as a team and about how at the end of the day, in the face of brand new clues and puzzles, we are all equal. Finally ask them what they learnt from the experience. Then it's time to go for ice cream!