So you’ve decided to book an escape room for your next birthday…firstly, great choice! Secondly, you may be feeling a little lost on how exactly to organize it. Here at The Escape Effect, we want you and your group to get the most out of your experience, so we have put together whole host of ideas for you in this blog. We guarantee that after reading, you’ll no longer be puzzled when it comes to planning the perfect escape room party!
Celebrate your birthday with puzzles
Step 1: Create Your Guest List
At The Escape Effect we made sure our games are appropriate for everyone, meaning they’re all family-friendly, ADA accessible, and suitable for all skill levels. As a result, you won’t need to worry about the suitability of our escape room experiences for anyone on your guest list. The only consideration you’ll need to make when picking your team, is how much you want to be locked* in a room with that person for an extended period of time!
Depending on the size of your group, there are several adventures for you to choose from. Alternatively, if you won’t all fit in one room, you could book several games to play simultaneously. Afterwards you’ll have so much to discuss with your friends about what you experienced, and you’ll probably want to come back and switch games so you can see it all for yourself! For even larger group sizes, we offer special group rates, and the option of a venue buy out. Just contact one of our event planners to create your own tailored experience.
*don’t worry, the door is never really locked, and you can leave at any time!
Additional Ideas:
- When you send your invites out, why not add a puzzle on it to set the mood for the event.
- Tell the guests to wear comfortable clothing and shoes for the experience.
- Make sure everyone turns up well before the start time of the game, since the slot cannot be changed.
Step 2: Choose Your Escape Room
For groups of around 8-10 players, we recommend either A Knight To Escape or At Odds With The Gods. In our medieval mystery your team will be placed on alternate sides of the game, with half your group starting in the castle courtyard, and half in the dimly-lit dungeon. The split-start element adds an additional fun factor that will test your team’s friendship and communication skills to the limit! Or, choose our mythological masterpiece that’s packed with puzzles in a non-linear format, meaning that your group can divide and conquer, and take on different challenges simultaneously.
With any of our games at The Escape Effect, there is always so much to see and do inside our rooms, that no one will be left sitting on the sidelines. If you are planning the party for someone else, think about if they like murder mysteries, ghost stories, mythology, or history, and book the game theme you think will resonate with them the best.
Additional Ideas:
- Extend your event by booking two games, back to back, for more puzzle-solving fun.
- If your group enjoy cosplay, you could play dressed as theme-appropriate characters.
- Think of a fun team name for your group, you could even wear matching shirts!
Step 3: Personalize Your Game
At The Escape Effect we have a few ways we can personalize your game, just contact one of our event coordinators to craft your customized party package. As well as extras, like themed character hosts to join you in your game, we also offer our incredible overnight experience, Extra Hours!
If you want to add an extra special element to your experience, you can provide us with a gift that can be hidden within your game for the birthday recipient to find during their adventure! Make sure you call or email us with plenty of advance of the day, and bring us the item beforehand so we can have it ready when we are setting up your game.
Additional Ideas:
- If you need a different level of challenge, we can tailor the experience to your group.
- To make sure you get through to the end, our host can nudge you with hints as you play.
- We’ve had previous customers create their own celebration-themed riddles and poems to put into the game.
Step 4: Find A Memento
You’ve had an incredible time, and made amazing memories during your game experience, now you and your group are riding the high of puzzle-solving success! Why not set a little money aside in the budget to treat the birthday person to a gift from our store. We have pins, shirts, and even padlock-shaped plushies! Or, take the fun back with you, with one of our exclusive at-home games. From medieval-themed TTRPGs, to a Greek-themed card game that has a bonus puzzle hunt, you’ll find a plethora of products in our store which extend the experience of the room you just played.
We know you and your group are sure to have a blast in one of our adventures, so why not consider coming back to play another one of our games on your next celebratory occasion! It could turn into a new tradition for your friendship group, or family. If you’re planning on playing more, we also stock an interactive Escape Rooms I’ve Played scratch-off poster, where you can keep track of your escapades in an epically satisfying way.
Additional Ideas:
- Be sure to take some photos together in the lobby, to capture the moment.
- Our Extra Hours package includes an exclusive coin that can’t be purchased separately.
- If one of your friends couldn’t make your party, why not invite them round for a board game night with one of our take-home games.
Step 5: Grab A Bite To Eat
The only thing which could complete your incredible day of deciphering, is cake! Unfortunately, here at The Escape Effect we are not bakers…the only thing we cook up is clues! After your game we suggest you find somewhere to grab a sweet treat or a bite to eat. It’ll also give you a chance to all discuss your escape room experience together, and compare notes!
After you’ve rounded off your night sharing food, fun, and laughter, it’s time to say your goodbyes and head home. We know an escape room is an experience you’ll remember for a long time, and we hope we will see you again at The Escape Effect soon!
Additional Ideas:
- Buy a copy of Cards At War, and play a few rounds while you wait for your meal to arrive.
- Bake or purchase a cake which matches the escape room theme, to enjoy after your game.
- There’s nothing to say you can’t eat before your game instead of after, just make sure you don’t eat anything too heavy since escape rooms are an active experience.
Plan your puzzle party!
Read our guide and now feel clued in on how to organize an escape room birthday party? Now it’s time to book your event!
