Fun Escape Room Alternatives to Try

Escape room fans may find themselves looking for fun and exciting alternatives to escape rooms for their co-workers or group of friends. Escape rooms challenge players to solve puzzles and escape from a locked room in a short time. 

While escape games can be a thrilling experience, a certain occasion might call for something simpler or perhaps you want to try something new. Try the following activities for a similar experience to an escape room.

Mini-Escape Room

If you love escape rooms, create your own mini-escape room in your own house or backyard. You can create a small area for puzzle-solving that lasts around ten to fifteen minutes using a tent, props, and your creativity. 

To set up a simple escape game, you'll need a box with a combination lock, some framed pictures, and art supplies. You will prepare clues for the combination lock by hanging the pictures up around the tent and drawing numbers onto the edges of the frames. 

You can also create a fun story to add to the experience, such as searching for pirate treasure, and assign a game master to explain the plot. Finally, place a small prize in the box such as a sweet treat or a message from a pirate king.

Immersive Theater

Immersive theater is a theatrical experience in which the “fourth wall” is broken down and the audience members become part of the narrative. The actors are generally dressed in character and have been briefed on their roles prior to the experience. They then improvise in response to queues from the audience, meaning that the trajectory and ending of the show can theoretically go in many directions!

Puzzle Races

Puzzle races are fantastic for those who want to enjoy a challenging game in larger groups. This game involves separating the players into two or more teams and assigning them similar puzzles to solve as quickly as possible. Rather than being limited to traditional puzzles, puzzle games can include a wide range of challenges, such as jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cubes, crossword puzzles, and more. 

Puzzle races are not only about solving puzzles but also about encouraging teamwork, as players need to collaborate and communicate effectively to win the game. The competitive spirit of the game creates an environment full of excitement, making it feel like two mini-escape rooms running simultaneously. Puzzle races are an excellent way to spend time with friends and family, enhance problem-solving skills, and have fun.

Board Games

Tabletop games are an excellent way to spend quality time with family while having fun and creating great memories. Playing board games also boosts cooperative and prosocial behavior in children. You can choose from standard board games or card games like Monopoly or Go Fish. Alternatively, opt for role-playing games that challenge your group to use their imaginations. 

Another option is to play "escape room" card games or table games, which include all the elements of a mini-escape room in a handy box. The best part about tabletop games is that they don't require much setup beforehand and can be comfortably played while sitting around the kitchen table.

Hide and Seek in the Dark

Playing hide and seek in the dark is a classic group activity that creates the same sense of adventure, excitement, and problem-solving as an escape room. Head out with your group at nighttime carrying torches, and take turns having one person count while the rest hide. 

You can also do the reverse by playing “sardines”: one person hides and the other players gradually find and join the first “hidee” one by one without giving away the group’s hiding spot. The last person to find the group hides first in the next round.

Tip: It’s essential for both of these games to define the boundaries clearly beforehand and establish any potential hiding places that are off limits.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are fun and active games, like escape rooms, that can be enjoyed both at home and outdoors. To create a scavenger hunt, list items your group will likely find in the chosen location and print enough copies of the list for everyone. For example, if you're playing at home, you can include items such as a roll of tape, a toothbrush, and a pillowcase. If you're playing at the park, challenge your group to find a blue flower, a picnic table, or a perfectly round rock. 

You can also include clues with multiple correct answers for greater variety, such as "Find something pink" or "Find something that isn't where it should be." Have participants take pictures of themselves with the items they find to prove they located them. Scavenger hunts are perfect for those who prefer to run around instead of sitting still at a table.

Amazing Race

Scavenger hunts can be expanded into "Amazing Race" style challenges to add more physical activity. Set up several stations with puzzles, riddles, or physical challenges in a local park or other large outdoor space. Divide the participants into several small teams and have them race around the park to complete the challenges. The first team to finish all of the challenges wins. 

This option is excellent for larger groups but requires more setup and volunteers to run the challenges compared to the other alternatives on this list.

Geocache Storytelling

Geocaching is a fun outdoor activity that involves using GPS coordinates to locate hidden containers, known as "geocaches," which contain clues and items that lead to the next container. You only need a GPS device, several small containers, and your imagination to set up this activity. 

Hide the containers and leave behind pieces of a story for your group to find in each one. They will have to find the next hidden container to uncover the next part of the story. This activity is a great way to turn reading into a fun and active adventure that requires moving around.

Coworker Feud

Coworker Feud is a team game where participants compete to name the most popular responses to survey questions. The goal is to identify the common answers rather than individual opinions. 

To play, a moderator prepares a list of survey questions and lists the five most common responses for each question. The teams compete to name any of the five responses to earn points. Coworker Feud can be played virtually or in person, and players can use a chat feature or buzzer to respond. This game is a fun way to challenge and engage work teams.

5-Minute Dungeon

5-Minute Dungeon is an exhilarating and fast-paced card game that will put players' wits to the test in a thrilling war scenario. Players will need to rely on their quick thinking and strategic planning to stay alive and defeat a variety of monsters, overcome obstacles, and evade cunning dungeon masters, all within the tight time limit of just five minutes.

The key to success in this game is teamwork. Players must communicate and make prompt decisions together in order to overcome the challenges they will face. This makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking for team-building activities or for playing during breaks between classes or work.

But it's not just for adults—5-Minute Dungeon is also suitable for players aged eight and above, making it a fun and exciting game for the whole family to enjoy. With its fast-paced action and engaging gameplay, this card game is sure to keep players of all ages entertained for hours on end.

Murder Mystery Dinner

A murder mystery dinner involves both role playing and problem-solving—two ingredients that are integral to escape games. Each participant is assigned a role with one person being assigned the role of the murderer. 

The group acts out their roles during dinner and at one point in the evening, someone is killed. The group then uses clues and questions each other as suspects to identify the murderer. At the end, the identity of the murderer is revealed. You can write your own murder mystery scenario or purchase a murder mystery kit for a fun group dinner experience.

Trivia Night

Trivia nights are fun group experiences that test your general knowledge and teamwork skills. The groups sit at tables around a room and the questions for each round are either read out or displayed on a screen. Each group then fills out its answers on a piece of paper and tallies their score for each round when the correct answers are revealed. The group with the highest score at the end of the night wins.

Ready for More?

Already tried some of these ideas and are ready for the full escape room experience? Quest Room has you covered! Our unique and immersive escape games are designed to challenge your mind and provide a memorable experience. 

Book your adventure online today or give us a call at your nearest Quest Room location. You can also reach us via email at [email protected]. We can't wait to see you at Quest Room!