11 Best Escape Room Board Games To Engage Your Children In 2024

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If you are planning a fun party indoors or wish to engage your children in interesting activities away from screens, our list of the best escape room board games can come in handy. While different board games are available, escape room board games offer mystery, suspense, puzzle-solving, and more. Mostly a cooperative board game, they offer a limited time within which the players need to find clues to escape. However, choosing the right board game might be challenging with various options available. To help you find an appropriate one, we have reviewed some best-selling options to give you an immersive experience.

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11 Best Escape Room Board Games

1.Best To Improves Deduction Skills:ThinkFun Escape The Room Mystery At The Stargazer’s Manor

ThinkFun Escape The Room Mystery At The Stargazer’s Manor Image: Think Fun

Set in 1869, the objective of this game is to unlock hidden clues, solve puzzles, and unravel the mystery of the Stargazer’s Manor, offering you a challenging experience. Suitable for people above ten years, this tried-and-tested game can be played with around three to eight players. The set includes five sealed envelopes, a scene card, a solution wheel, secret items, and an instruction manual for the perfect escape. It is easy to follow and improves deduction skills, critical reasoning, and more.

Material: Cardboard | Item Weight: 1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 7.88 x 2 x 10.25 inches


protip_icon Did you know?
Playing board games can increase brain function and stimulate brain areas responsible for memory formation (1).

2.Best Multiverse Adventure:Spin Master Games Escape Room The Game 3

The board game consists of three stories—Panic On The Titanic, Alice In Wonderland, and Dawn Of The Zombies. With 60 minutes on the clock, players have to complete each adventure in this game within the given time. Powered by three AAA batteries and suitable for people aged above 16 years, this game is apt for occasions like birthdays, dinner parties, vacations, and holidays. With easy-to-understand rules, the players need to play this game as a team to win. The set also includes a Chrono Decoder and some clue cards to help you advance further in the game.


protip_icon Quick tip
You can use the Chrono Decoder for background music and to set the scene.

3.Best One-Time Thrills:Thames & Kosmos Exit The Game: The Enchanted Forest

In this escape room game, players must solve riddles and crack codes to find the way out of the enchanting forest while the clock is ticking. Suitable for one to four players, this game is playable only once, after which the game materials must be torn and folded to crack the codes. Loved by many reviewers, the game also comes with an app that contains a digital timer and atmospheric soundtrack to make the game even more interesting and a tutorial for a better understanding of the game.

Material: Paper | Item Weight: 4.7 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.7 x 7.1 inches

4.Best Survival Challenge:Mattel Games Escape Room In A Box: The Walking Dead Board Game

Mattel Games Escape Room In A Box: The Walking Dead Board Game Image: Mattel

Inspired by the popular series The Walking Dead, you have 90 minutes to solve the series of puzzles that test your survival skills in this game. Suitable for four to eight players, this game box is appropriate for people aged above 13 years. Whether you are a fan or not, you won’t need any prior knowledge of the show to play this game. This entertaining game also comes with real physical puzzles and locks. You can use up to five hints to solve the escape room puzzles and open the door to win.

Material: Paper, Plastic | Item Weight: 1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 1.97 inches

5. Best Teamwork Exercise:Identity Games Escape Room The Game Version 2

In this game, you can choose a challenge from the four stories available and get 60 minutes to solve them and win the game. You need teamwork, creativity, and keen attention to detail. The set includes a Chrono Decoder that offers a digital countdown and some sound effects to hint whether you are going the right way, and the Escape Room app provides thrilling background music to create a more fun-filled and immersive experience. This time-tested game is suitable for ages 16 and above and requires three to five players.

Material: Cardboard | Item Weight: 1.98 pounds | Product Dimensions: 1 x 14 x 14 inches

6. Best Mystery Solving:USAopoly Scooby-Doo: Escape From The Haunted Mansion – A Coded Chronicles Game

In this entertaining game, you can play as your favorite Scooby-Doo characters, like Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Fred, as you solve the mystery of Lady Fairmont’s ghost by decoding 50 clues to escape from the haunted mansion. Suitable for up to six players and with a playtime of over 100 minutes, this game offers a two-part game experience for players aged above eight years. The kit includes five narrative books, 13 map tiles, 60 clue cards, eight secret envelopes, one mystery manual, and more, making it a thrilling game for escape room enthusiasts.

Material: Paper, Cardboard, Plastic | Item Weight: 1.75 pounds | Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 2 inches

7. Best Kid-Friendly Escape:Peaceable Kingdom Space Escape Cooperative Strategy Game

The cooperative board game is suitable for children aged seven and above and offers a playtime of 20 minutes. In this game, snakes have intruded into the Mole Rat’s Space Station, and you have to play to escape from the space station without falling prey to the snakes. The escape room board game helps develop children’s thinking skills by encouraging them to make strategies and solve problems by playing in a non-stressful environment. It is suitable for one to four players and includes 20 tokens, 51 cards, and instructions for easy playing.

Item Weight: 1.92 pounds | Product Dimensions: 10.75 x 9.17 x 2.05 inches

8. Best Card Strategy:Space Cowboys Star Wars Unlock! The Escape Game

Based on one of the most popular movie franchises in the world, this cooperative card game involves multiple strategies. According to the reviewers, players have to go through a deck of 60 cards to solve puzzles in an hour. Whether you are a rebel, smuggler, or imperial agent, you need to find locations and engage with machines and ships within the given time to escape. The game comes with a companion app that plays sounds and music and supports gameplay by accepting input codes and interacting with machines. Suitable for six players aged ten and older, each scenario in this game is unique with fresh challenges.

Material: Cardstock | Item Weight: 1.06 pounds | Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.88 x 2.63 inches


protip_icon Quick tip
This board game comes with a special Tutorial Adventure guide, making it easy to play. You can take the help of the free companion app to receive hints.

9. Best Escape From Injustice:Pressman Escape From Iron Gate

In this game, you and your friends are wrongfully accused of a crime and are sent to jail. You have to escape from jail by solving puzzles on your way out. The player that passes through the final gate wins the game. Players have to move in the four areas of the board as they find their way out of the prison. The game comes with an easy set of instructions with an overview of the gameplay. The entertaining game supports variety, allowing for unlimited replay, and is suitable for 13-year-olds and above, and requires three to eight players.

Material: Metal | Item Weight: 3.1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 2.63 x 10.5 inches

10. Best Teenage Mystery Adventure:Unexpected Games The Initiative Board Game

The game has a premise of four teenagers who have found a mysterious board game at a yard sale and discovered that it is connected to their lives. It involves strategy, puzzle-solving, and code-breaking by decoding cryptic messages left in the game, offering an immersive experience for escape room enthusiasts. The game also has a comic book for easy understanding and storylines. The rules mentioned in this game are easy to understand and can be played with one to four players aged eight and above for 30 to 60 minutes.

Material: Cardboard, Plastic | Item Weight: 2.75 pounds | Product Dimensions: 11.63 x 11.63 x 2.88 inches

11.Best Entertaining Game:PlayMonster Break In Area 51

In this entertaining game, you have to play as an alien trying to break into Area 51 to take your spaceship before it gets destroyed to get back home. This fantasy game involves collaborative gameplay where everyone works together and solves the escape room puzzles to find the spaceship. As per reviews, this game offers the excitement and thrill of world immersion in a movie. With medium difficulty, around six players can play this game together.

Item Weight: 14.4 ounces | Product Dimensions: 4 x 10.25 x 9.1 inches
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

How To Choose The Right Escape Room Board Games?

Here are some factors that you may consider when choosing an Escape Room board game.

  1. Time: Most games take around 60 minutes to complete. Some games can take longer, while easier ones take less time. Consider the time you have to choose a game that fits your needs.
  2. Players: Most classic escape room games are cooperative, so a large group of people can play together. Consider the number of players to choose a game that meets your requirements. A game with more players gives you an interactive experience.
  3. Age: Check the recommended age range for each board game before choosing one. If you have children in the group, choose a game that is less complex, easy to follow, and age-appropriate.
  4. Theme: From fantasy to popular series, these games are based on various exciting themes to make them engaging. So, choose a game that the players will find interesting and leave them with an immersive escape experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I play an Escape Room board game with two players?

Most Escape Room board games require at least three players. Versions like The Exit Room, which are meant for solo players and multiple players, can be ideal for two people.

2. How challenging is an Escape Room board game?

Escape Room board games are meant to be challenging—a feature that makes the game more thrilling and engaging and adds to the mystery quotient.

3. What are the benefits of playing Escape Room board games?

Escape Room board games give players the opportunity to improve their problem solving skills, decision making skills, and strengthen their communication skills while helping bond with other players.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Priti Bose is a toys, games, and gifts enthusiast and reviewer, and she creates well-researched articles to bring high-quality products for her readers. She has compiled a list of the best escape room board games after careful analysis and comparison of various consumer-tested products across different websites and has considered user reviews to ensure quality and unbiased opinion. With detailed descriptions, Priti has also included a helpful buying guide to assist you in choosing the right product.

The Bottom Line

Staying indoors doesn’t have to be boring when you have the right board games to keep you company. Playing these games sharpens your problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. You can explore the various games in our list of the best escape room board games to understand the various themes, components, rules, and other features to find one that caters to your interests.It includes options like the  Pressman Escape From Iron Gate, which can be replayed multiple times, the Spin Master Games Escape Room The Game 3 for fast-paced fun, and the Space Cowboys Star Wars Unlock!, which is based on the Star Wars movie. These time-tested games are best played with a large group of friends or family for optimal entertainment.

Infographic: Why Play Escape Room Board Games?

Escape room board games are exciting and immersive and test your problem-solving skills and teamwork. These games typically have a storyline or theme that players must follow as they work together to uncover clues, solve puzzles, and escape the room or scenario within a set time limit. The following infographic provides more information about the benefits of playing this game.

What-Are-The-Benefits-Of-Playing-Escape-Room-Board-Games (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team


References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Benefits of Playing Board Games
    https://buckslib.org/benefits-of-playing-board-games/
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