How to Host a DIY Escape Room Party at Home

Note: links to Party Puzzle Kits products are our own products.

An escape room party works best with three things: one clear goal (open a lock, find a code), puzzles that feed into that goal, and a host who keeps things moving.

1. Pick a story and a goal. Pirates, spies, and a museum heist all work. The goal should be concrete, like "find the 4-digit code before the timer ends."

2. Plan 5-7 puzzles for 60 minutes. Kids ages 8-12 usually need 6-10 minutes per puzzle. Let some be solved in any order so a group of 6 can split up.

3. Chain the puzzles. Each answer should be a digit, a word, or a direction that leads to the final lock. Write the chain down before you make anything.

4. Package them in envelopes. Envelopes stand in for locked rooms: "Open the WAVE envelope only when the bottle tells you."

5. Test it on one adult. If an adult needs more than 5 minutes on a puzzle, kids will need hints.

6. Have a reveal. A box of treats, a certificate, or a "you escaped!" page makes the ending feel earned.

Shortcut: if you'd rather not design one, a printable kit saves the design time. Ours is Captain Saltbeard's Lost Treasure (our product).

Optional props: a 4-digit combination lock box and invisible-ink UV pens.

Want to try one first? Download our free 2-page sample puzzle or browse the shop.