If you are planning a unique birthday party outing, need PD Day ideas, or are looking for activities to keep the kids busy during extended school holidays, an escape room experience may be just what you are looking for. These adventurous, problem-solving events aren’t just for adults (although many offer options for a more mature crowd if you have a date night planned) and kids of many ages can enjoy trying to solve the puzzles and mysteries of the rooms. We especially think your preteens and teens will love having their birthday parties in one of them.
Not only do escape rooms make for the perfect birthday party outing with your children’s friends, but we think these adventures would also be a special way to spend time together as a family. You can bond over winning or losing in the escape room. If you aren’t sure where to find a kid-friendly escape room, we have a few suggestions.
Cool Ottawa Escape Rooms for kids
Escape Manor Junior
From Ottawa’s popular Escape Manor escape room experience comes four different rooms just for the kids at Escape Manor Junior.
The rooms are for up to 8 players each, all with a different theme, and take about 45 minutes to complete. Located on Greenbank Road in Nepean, Escape Manor Junior is perfect for birthday parties or for family events. At least one adult must attend with the other players and the rooms are designed for kids aged 6-12 (but all ages are welcome). The four different rooms include the Forbidden Forest, Space Invaders, Spy Mission and the Candy Conspiracy so there is a theme for everyone’s interests. Teachers and educators take note: Escape Manor Junior will work with you to create the ultimately educational and fun class trip that everyone will be talking about!
Look for their Diefenbunker Escape Room experience as well if you have older kids or teens looking for a challenge.
Funhaven Escapes
The popular arcade and play space on Baxter Road (near IKEA), Funhaven, has escape room mini missions (lasting about 15 minutes each) or longer adventures for 60 minutes. The smaller, shorter adventures called The Crystal Cave or Secrets and Spies costs fewer credits (you can purchase credits for the rooms and other Funhaven activities when you arrive), and the other four rooms hosting the longer experiences cost additional credits. These room themes include Deep Decent, Rainforest Renegades, Ripple Creek and Curse of the Forgotten and will challenge your group each and every time. Tip! Look for daily deals and discounts (like on Tuesdays when the rooms are half price).
Unlocked Adventures
The four rooms at Unlocked Ottawa were designed with families in mind and offer a variety of options depending on their ages and interests. For kids ages 8-12, or families with children aged 12 and up, you’ll be able to find a new challenge every time. You can choose from the Victorian Vampire Dinner Party, Super Hero School, Shipwrecked and the Great Elf Escape. The website teases that a new adventure will be arriving soon too! We love that all the bookings are private too for just your family or group.
Captive Kids
Captive Kids escape rooms were designed with the kids in mind solely. There are three rooms and stories to follow for a 60-minute adventure, each of them created to capture your child’s imagination. These stories include a haunted house with a helpful ghost willing to join you, a pirate adventure and a cursed village. Not only are there special birthday party packages available, but families, with 4-12 people, can book to create their own family adventure together for the ultimate family experience.
Lockdown Ottawa
Another family-focused escape experience is Lockdown Ottawa (on Ogilvie, near the St. Laurent Shopping Centre). There are many rooms to choose from, including one themed around hockey! While some of their rooms welcome guests ages 6 and older, some rooms may be a little scary for the kids or if they are afraid of the dark you’ll want to double check the theme you choose. However, one that looks especially interesting is The Time Team Trilogy, a 45-minute experience for 2-6 people. Travel through time together to try and defeat the villain. This room is a trilogy with three chapters available to book at separate times and it’s recommended to begin with Chapter one when booking for your first visit.
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Category: indoor-play
