How to Prepare for an Escape Room Challenge

The best escape rooms offer a unique mix of intrigue, suspense, and fun and require all the guile a team can offer. Some people are born to run, but most of us will get more out of the experience by studying up on how to prepare for an escape room beforehand.

Defeating an escape game is all about picking up on clues that others let slip through the net. Brushing up on your observation, communication, and organization skills is a great way to prepare for an escape room adventure and make it out in time.

1. Pick the Dream Team

The success of an escape room experience depends on the dynamics of the team taking part. Whether you're a group of friends, workmates, or a family, think carefully about the group you've formed and the skills each person brings.

The size of the group can also determine the outcome of an escape room. While some groups excel with a small number of focused individuals, others prefer to cover all the bases with a larger team. Be careful though; very large teams can be tricky to coordinate. If you go with a larger group, make sure you can reconcile everyone's ideas, energy, knowledge base, and skills. It could also be helpful to choose from our recommended escape rooms for large groups.

Ultimately, the best teams strike a balance between having enough heads to cover all the bases and ensuring everyone still has a voice.

2. Choose the Right Escape Room Experience

Escape games are constantly evolving, meaning there's never been so much choice for intrepid escapees. Choosing the right one is vital to ensure an enjoyable yet challenging experience for everyone on your team. When picking the perfect escape room for your group, take the following into account:

Theme: Think about your team's personalities and preferences. Do you sway more toward exploring ancient tombs or escaping a deranged scientist? Find a theme that excites and motivates everyone on the team. Difficulty: Escape room difficulty is a key factor that will define your experience. Choose a challenge that will push your team to the limit but not frustrate or stump you. Take your team's experience level into account and try to strike the right balance when choosing a difficulty level. Vibe: Many people associate escape rooms with terrifying or high-pressure situations. However, some teams might prefer a comedy escape room or a family-friendly scenario. Choose a narrative and vibe that matches the preferences of your team.

3. Designate Roles

Every dream team needs well-established roles to work to its full potential. Assign roles to each team member according to their strengths. For example, some people may be adept at solving puzzles while others excel at finding hidden clues or communicating and relaying information.

Remember that every profile is invaluable to a team's success. Having a leader is important as it focuses your efforts. However, the entire team will be essential to solving the escape room challenges and puzzles. Playing to each person's strengths will enable you to form a well-rounded group that efficiently overcomes hurdles on the way out.

Tip: Some players may get upset if they are (or aren’t) designated a certain role. You can often solve this problem by switching roles for each escape room your group plays.

Develop Leadership Roles in an Escape Room

Some human beings are born leaders, while others may need some help to develop effective leadership skills. A 2018 study reported that escape rooms offer an experience that rewards effective leadership and teamwork. This suggests that they can be invaluable experiences for young people whose soft skills like delegation and communication still need some practice.

An escape room can also become any team member’s moment to shine. Participants who usually follow may find they excel when pushed into a leading role within an escape room.

4. Do Your Research

The most professional teams like to plan ahead for the best chance of defeating the room. Different types of escape rooms will invariably demand different skills. These could include riddles, logic puzzles, physical challenges, or ciphers. Some prior knowledge of the types of tasks you'll undertake plus a little practice can go a long way to helping you beat the room.

Read the Room Descriptions Carefully

Avoid choosing an escape room only based on the theme. Easy escape rooms may be the best option for beginners while an expert-level room like Cannibal’s Den (available at our Hollywood and Dallas locations) are best suited to the most seasoned escape gamers.

Remember that the theme can vary significantly. Some games contain adult themes while others may be intense or horror-themed. Doing your research before booking is the best way to guarantee a wonderful experience.

5. Familiarize Yourself with the Rules

Make sure every person in your group fully understands the rules before entering the room. The game master will provide information about the narrative and where to start. Make sure you listen carefully and ask any questions you have before the experience begins. You may get additional instructions and hints when you're inside too, so it's vital to listen carefully.

6. Get Ready Physically

Not all escape room experiences are created equal when it comes to physical demands. Some games may require participants to crawl through small spaces or move around and interact with the room around them. Ensure you're aware of any physical demands of your chosen escape room, especially if anyone on your team has a disability or condition that may limit their participation.

Prepare for your escape room by:

• Wearing comfortable clothing and footwear: Know what to wear to an escape room for the best and most comfortable experience. For example, avoid high heels or clothing that restricts movement.
• Staying hydrated: Stay well hydrated, especially if the room has physical elements to it. Drink water (yes, water!) before you begin. However, don't go overboard as bathroom breaks will shatter the illusion and may even end the game for the entire group.

7. Sharpen Your Observation Skills

Looking for clues in an escape room is far more than simply scanning the surface. The aim of the game is to find what's there, but also what's hidden away. Most games will require an eagle eye and keen attention to detail. The most observant teams who listen closely to the instructions and are willing to look beyond the surface are bound to reveal the secrets hidden within the escape room.

The greatest escapees are those who practice activities that require a high level of attention to detail. Try reading detective novels, watching mystery TV series or movies, or participating in scavenger hunts that push your observation skills to the limit. All these activities are fun ways to build the skills you need to escape while training your brain to identify patterns and find clues others let slip through the net. You can also read up on our escape room tips for beginners for a strategic advantage once you arrive.

Put in the Groundwork for the Best Escape Room Experience

Preparing for your escape room experience is a surefire way to ensure a thrilling, fun, and memorable experience for the whole team. A key part of this is choosing the right experience depending on your age, preferences, and experience level.

There are many ways teams can prepare themselves to escape the room, such as going on scavenger hunts and reading detective novels. Prime your skills and bring your A-game for an experience you’ll never forget!