Escape rooms are the most popular group activity. Whether you’re with friends, family or a team, it’s fun, challenging and exciting. If you’re a first timer you’ll feel a mix of excitement and nerves. Don’t worry – with a bit of prep you’ll walk in feeling confident and ready to enjoy every second. Here’s your ultimate prep guide.
Understand What an Escape Room Is
Escape rooms are immersive, interactive games where you solve puzzles and complete tasks to “escape” a themed room within a set time limit, usually 60 minutes. The room may have mysteries to solve, clues to find and locks to open. It’s not about physical strength or skill – it’s all about teamwork, observation and problem solving.
Every escape room has a unique theme. You might find yourself in a detective’s office, a science lab or a pirate ship. Some themes are all about puzzles, others are all about story or suspense. Before you go, check the room’s difficulty level, story details and team size requirements to make sure you’ve chosen the right one for your group.
Choose Your Team Wisely
Your escape room experience will depend on who you take with you. Choose people who are keen, curious and will communicate. You don’t need puzzle experts but it helps to have a mix of personalities. Some people are good at finding hidden clues, others are good at logical thinking or riddle solving.
Keep the group size small. Most escape rooms recommend 4-6 people. Too many can be confusing, too few might not be able to solve everything in time. Choose the right balance to make it fun and exciting.
Dress for Comfort and Practicality
What you wear to an escape room matters more than you think. You won’t need any athletic gear but practical clothing is key. Comfortable shoes are a must as you may need to move quickly or kneel to inspect something on the ground.
Don’t wear anything too fancy or restrictive. Escape rooms often require searching through drawers, climbing small spaces or crouching to find hidden clues. A casual outfit that allows freedom of movement is your best bet.
Familiarise Yourself with the Rules
Every escape room starts with a quick briefing. The game master will explain the room’s story, safety rules and what to expect. Listen up – these instructions will save you time later. For example some rooms may have misleading props or areas you’re not meant to touch. Knowing this upfront will save you minutes.
If you’re worried about getting stuck don’t be. Game masters often monitor your progress and can give you hints if you’re struggling. Make sure you know how to ask for clues so you don’t get frustrated during the game.
Communicate Clearly with Your Team
Good communication is key to winning an escape room. Share everything you find, no matter how small it seems. A random number, a torn piece of paper, or an unusual object might be part of a puzzle.
Speak up loud and clear so everyone in the room can hear you. If you see something interesting, shout it out. If two people are working on the same clue without realising it, you’ll waste time. Divide and conquer when needed but keep everyone in the loop.
Search Thoroughly but Efficiently
First off, search the room for clues. Leave no stone unturned – check under furniture, inside drawers, behind objects. But be efficient about it. Once a space has been searched, let everyone know so no one searches it again.
Be systematic. Group related clues together and keep everything in one place where everyone can see it. That way no important details get missed. If something doesn’t make sense at first, don’t get frustrated – it might connect to another clue later in the game.
Manage Your Time Wisely
Time flies in an escape room. Keep an eye on the clock and pace yourselves. If you’ve been on one puzzle for more than a few minutes and not made progress, it’s time to switch it up. Ask for a hint if you need it – there’s no shame in getting help especially if it keeps the game moving.
Some puzzles require teamwork so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Often two people looking at a problem from different angles can solve it faster than one.
Stay Calm and Don’t Overthink
When the clock is ticking it’s easy to get stressed but staying calm is key to winning. If you’re stuck, step back and breathe. Sometimes walking away from a puzzle for a minute will let you see it with fresh eyes.
Don’t overcomplicate things. Most escape rooms use logical, straightforward solutions not obscure knowledge or trickery. Trust your gut and work with what’s in front of you.
Enjoy the Experience
Remember, escape rooms are supposed to be fun. Don’t get too caught up in winning or losing. Celebrate small victories along the way, like cracking a code or finding a hidden clue. Whether you escape in time or not, the experience is about working together, laughing at mistakes and enjoying the challenge.
After the game, chat with your team about your favourite bits. Reflecting on the adventure adds to the fun and helps you appreciate how well you worked together.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to feel overwhelmed preparing for your first escape room. Know the basics, choose the right team and be positive. Escape rooms are a fun way to challenge your mind, bond with others and have a great time. Walk in ready to think, laugh and enjoy every twist.
The best thing about escape rooms is how they bring people together in a shared experience. Win or lose, it’s the memories you make that matter most. From the small eureka moments to the chaos when something goes hilariously wrong, every minute in the room is an opportunity to bond and make new connections.
Don’t worry too much about being perfect. Escape rooms aren’t about being the smartest person in the room – they’re about learning to work together, think creatively and enjoy the unknown. So relax, be curious and remember escaping is only part of the fun. The real success is in the laughs, teamwork and shared sense of achievement.
Before you know it you’ll be addicted and looking for your next fix. Whether it’s your first or your tenth room, every escape room has a new story, new challenge and new people to connect with. Just walk in and smile and you’re in for a treat.
