Have you ever heard of escape rooms? If not, they are games in which players (usually 2 to 6) have to try to escape from a room. They do this by solving various puzzles, whether it's cracking a code, finding clues, or working with tools such as a turntable.
There is often only a limited amount of time to complete the game, making it a real adventure. However, instead of focusing on live escape rooms, we would like to introduce you to escape games you can play at home!
Finding the right escape room game for your home
What is an escape room? With such a wide range of escape room games available, it's not always easy to make a choice. Here we would like to introduce you to the different types of escape games, or more precisely, the selection criteria, so that you can decide which option would be best for you.
What types of escape games are there?
Whether it's a simple game for children to make themselves or a challenging game for you and your friends to play on game night.
The intentions behind purchasing an escape game can vary. For this reason, before searching for the ideal game, you should consider what you actually expect from the game.
- Would you like to play it alone or in a group?
- How difficult or easy should the game be?
These are just a small selection of the questions you should answer.
Alone or company
Are you planning to play the game alone, or would you like a game that you can play with your friends, relatives, or even children? The classic escape room gameis designed for between 2 and 6 players, but with escape games for home use, you have more flexibility.
level of difficulty
For ideal gaming fun, it is important to find a game that is neither too easy nor too difficult. It is important to determine who the game is for. For example, the level of difficulty should differ between children and adults.
With crafts, without crafts, DIY, etc.
Escape games are right at the top of the list when it comes to combating boredom. You don't have to buy every game; you can also get creative or find suitable games online and print them out. We'll introduce you to a few options in this article.
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Duration: Ask yourself how much time you want to invest. Should it be a quick game for a game night, or do you want to spend several hours intensively engaged with this game?
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Price: From free to expensive, there are games in every price range.
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For children: There are escape games for children with a lower level of difficulty, appealing designs, or even games for crafting.
- For adults: Murderers , ghosts, and crime? That's exactly what you can expect in escape games for adults. Not only that, but the difficulty level is also a little higher.
The best escape games for at home
Now we would like to introduce you to some great games in each escape game category, so that you can hopefully make your choice quickly and easily.
Board games
When it comes to escape games for the home, board games are a true classic. Whether played alone or in a group, these games come with many
- Topics,
- designs
- and features.
Board games like these also make great gifts if you have a puzzle lover in your family or circle of friends.
Special features and further information
Some escape board games require a little prior knowledge, or more precisely, preparation. Similar to a live escape room, each game has its own story with main characters, so you should allow a little time for this.
Our product recommendations: Exit - The Abandoned Cabin
The "Exit" series from Kosmos Verlag is an absolute classic among escape games for the home. They have already brought a whole range of great games onto the market, but we primarily recommend "Die verlassene Hütte" (The Abandoned Cabin).
In this game, you and your fellow players are not locked in a room, but in a cabin, and you have to crack the door code using tools (including a turntable).
Notes on the game:
- 1 to 4 players
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Without crafting
- Duration: 45 to 90 minutes
- Price: $10.99
For children and adults: Unlock! "Exotic Adventures."
Here you will find three escape room games in one, so you can enjoy plenty of puzzles. Whether alone or in a group, immerse yourself in different worlds. Among them you will even find an escape room game set in the world of dinosaurs!
Notes on the game:
- Difficulty level: Medium
- No crafting required
- Duration: approximately 60 minutes per game
- Number of players: 1 to 6 players
- Price: $60.97
For adults - DIY
Are you looking for a slightly different escape game? Then why not just make your own! Let your creativity run wild and try your hand at DIY (Do-It-Yourself).
There are numerous options here: you can either develop your own game from scratch or draw inspiration from other ideas. A great way to find useful tips, tricks, and inspiration is to check out Pinterest.
Special features and further information:
The great thing is that if you go DIY, you can get the escape games cheaper or even for free. You can simply print out our product recommendations and then play straight away—it really couldn't be easier!
Our product recommendations: Playful card magic
Do you love decoding codes? Then the game "Verspielter Kartenzauber" (Playful Card Magic) is just right for you. Here, you have to crack the code on the cards to win the game. You can print out these cards, solve them on your PC, or even incorporate them as an extra into your own DIY escape game.
Notes on the game:
- 1 person or with children
- Difficulty level: Easy
- For crafting
- Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
- Price: Free
For children and adults - Winter shadow plays
Winter is approaching, and with it the opportunity to try out the fantastic DIY escape game "Winter Shadow Games." Print out the template for this game, stick it onto cardboard, and build the box. Then the puzzle fun can begin. This game can also be played in
It can be given as a gift in combination with a Christmas present, so that the recipient must first solve the puzzle before receiving the gift.
Notes on the game:
- 1 person or with children
- Difficulty level: Easy
- For crafting
- Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
- Price: Free
For children: puzzles such as hidden games
Want to feel like a real detective? Then Hidden Games is the right place for you. Each game is a different case, with different evidence and different protagonists, so you can choose from a variety of possibilities.
You receive a folder containing evidence and must use it to figure out what happened. Whether solving a murder case, finding a missing person, or solving a completely different mystery, this is the ideal choice for any true crime fan!
Special features and further information:
Are you stuck and need help? No problem, you can ask for ideas and help on the Hidden Games website.
Our product recommendations: The Klein-Borstelheim case
There are plenty of Hidden Games cases, but we recommend the first case , "The Klein-Borstelheim Case." The goal is to solve a murder at a shooting festival, and you will receive around 30 pieces of evidence to analyze. You can play this game alone or in a group.
Notes on the game:
- Alone or in company: both are possible
- For 1 to 6 players
- Difficulty level: Medium to difficult
- No crafting required
- Duration: 90 to 150 minutes
- Price: €23.90
For adults: Hidden Games "Dead People Don't Freeze"
Want to plan a game night with a difference? Then you should try Hidden Games' "Tote frieren nicht" (The Dead Don't Freeze). This game requires a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 players, so you can eagerly read through the evidence.
This is a case of murder after a dinner party among friends. Each player takes on the role of a friend of the victim and recounts how he or she experienced the evening.
Notes on the game:
- 4 to 6 players
- Difficulty level: Medium to difficult
- No crafting required
- Duration: 90 to 150 minutes
- Price: $34.90
For adults: Riddle Boxes crafts
If you're looking for a truly unique escape game, then Riddle Boxes is the place for you. Riddle Boxesfrom MagicHolz. Not only are they fun to solve, but you can also use them as beautiful decorative pieces afterwards.
Special features and further information:
Each game tells its own story, so it's worth taking a look at this before you start the puzzle. You'll see your puzzle in a whole new light!
Our product recommendations: House of Dragon by MagicHolz
The escape game "House of Dragon" was inspired by the Japanese Asahi and his touching story and impresses with its unique design. This box is made entirely of wood and is a real eye-catcher.
With numerous turning functions and hidden clues, this game is ideal for advanced players. This box also makes a great gift and is sure to bring joy.
Notes on the game:
- Possible alone or in company
- Difficulty level: Medium
- No crafting required
- Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
- Price: $44.90
For adults: Magic Wood "Orbital Box"
Ready to explore space? That's exactly what you can do as captain of your own ship! The
Escape Room Box "Orbital Box"
The Escape Room Box Orbital Box from Magic Holz impresses with its galactic design and plenty of puzzle power! Whether alone or in a group, there are many features to discover that will get you thinking.
This box is made entirely of wood and can be used as a decorative item once you have solved the puzzle. Even better—give it as a gift to a puzzle enthusiast!
Notes on the game:
- Possible alone or in company
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- No crafting required
- Duration: 25 to 40 minutes
- Price: $44.90
How to create your own escape room at home: Here's how it works
An escape game for beginners can also be made at home with few resources and a little tricky logic. When designing the game, you should focus on the players' enjoyment: the puzzles should not be too difficult, but also not too easy, so that everyone can enjoy the exit game at home.
Structure and planning
When setting up an escape room, you should make sure that one puzzle always leads into the next. The goal is to reach the "exit," which means:
A lock is picked or a door opens.
It's best to test your game for its playing time: Escape rooms must traditionally be solved within a set period of time. There are various methods for transitioning between puzzles:
Method 1:
Solving one puzzle unlocks the "lock" to a new puzzle. For example: A chest has been fitted with a combination lock. The code is deciphered by solving a puzzle. This code then unlocks the chest—and inside the chest is the next puzzle.
Method 2:
Solving the puzzle does not open a lock, but rather, similar to a treasure hunt, provides a clue as to where the next puzzle can be found.
Ideas for escape games at home
Many people still remember the trick with invisible ink from their childhood: you write on a piece of paper with lemon juice or light vinegar. When you hold it over a candle flame, the writing becomes visible.
It doesn't even have to be real lemon juice. Today, you can buy trick markers that have a similar effect. But there are even more ways to spread secret messages:
Option 1: Codes
We know encryption codes from movies featuring secret agents, but they are also suitable for your escape game. For example, letters can be replaced with numbers or letters can be replaced with other letters. You can also write a letter that, when folded, reveals a different message.
Option 2: Number puzzle
As mentioned above, number codes can be used, for example, to open locks. A simple Sudoku puzzle is also suitable for this purpose—the correct numbers in a row give you the code.
Option 3: Puzzle
People enjoy puzzles, and you can use this to your advantage in your escape room. For example, information can be written on a piece of paper, which is then torn up and has to be put back together again.
Conclusion: Escape games for home—great fun for the whole family!
As you can see, there are numerous options for playing escape games at home. Whether alone, with your friends, or your family, one thing is certain: you're in for a lot of puzzle-solving fun.
Especially if you are already a fan of Live Escape Room, then you will surely enjoy the games. We hope that you have been able to discover new types of escape games and that you will perhaps give one or two of them a try.
