Calling all budding detectives and treasure hunters! Escape rooms are a fun way for families to act out their sleuthing fantasies while spending time together in an action-packed activity. If you haven’t played an escape room game before, the purpose is to solve mysteries to unlock clues and complete the themed objective within a set time limit. It promotes problem-solving and cooperation, and it’s a fun event for teenagers and birthday parties too. Unravel all the secrets within our Guide to the Best Escape Rooms in Toronto and the GTA!
Note: It’s a good idea to check ahead regarding age requirements, plus some escape rooms may require a waiver for younger participants.
Activate
Address: Two locations in Toronto — Eglinton Town Centre, Stock Yards; plus Burlington, Cambridge, Mississauga, & Pickering
Where an escape room meets an obstacle course, Activate is a live-action adventure gaming area where players jump, climb, problem-solve and move through different challenges.
Escape The Ship (May-October)
Address: 319 Queens Quay West, Toronto; 200 Harbourfront Drive, Hamilton
By the mateys behind Pirate Life and Secret City Studio, families can combine an escape room adventure with a real pirate boat trip on Lake Ontario! The puzzles and character involvement are appropriate for all ages. However, younger children may find the puzzles challenging, and there are suggestions of piracy and spooky curses, so it’s recommended for children ages 12 and up.
Omventure Canada
Address: 1187 Kennedy Road, Scarborough; #7-7501 Woodbine Ave., Markham;Â 1C-1224 Dundas St. East, Mississauga
With locations in Scarborough, Markham and Mississauga, test your skills in different themed escape rooms. Each location also houses a large board game cafés, along with video game consoles.
Trapped Escape Room
Address: Toronto — Downtown (Queen West), Toronto Midtown (Eglinton West), Etobicoke, Scarborough; plus Ajax, Barrie, Burlington, Guelph, Markham, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, Oshawa, Vaughan, Waterloo, Windsor. Coming Soon: Brampton, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Newmarket, Oakville, Toronto East
Trapped has expanded its locations across the GTA, plus many more in the works across Ontario, including five in the Toronto area. They have large playing spaces and numerous themes to choose from, like archaeology, carnivals, pyramids, treasure, science fiction and much more.
Casa Loma Escape Series
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Why not solve a mystery in an actual castle?! This escape series even features live actors from Secret City Adventures. The Dragon’s Song is intended for families with kids aged 8+, where the tower is rumoured to hold the last known dragon egg.
Daydream Adventures
Address: 1803 Danforth Ave., Toronto
If you’re more into fantasy than frights, visit this private art installation escape room with themes such as Dream Portal and the Ice Cave. It still comes with an immersive story and interactive puzzles but it’s fun for everyone.
Enigma Escape Room
Address: 130 Dundas Street West, 3rd Floor, Toronto
While there are a few scary-themed rooms, Enigma has many tamer themes such as Magic School, Fairy Tale, Jungle Safari and The Lost Treasure.
Looking Glass Adventures
Address: 2944 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
This family-friendly escape room offers collaborative in-person games, birthdays and also virtual remote play escape rooms. Bookings are private, and you can reserve in advance, so you don’t have to wait in line.
Roundabout Canada Escape Room
Address: 330 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto
With all-private bookings, this popular spot on Yonge Street has various family-friendly themes, like spies, ninjas and mummies.
Trivia Escape Rooms
Address: 1615 Dupont Street, Toronto
For pop-culture fans, this venue has changing themes, such as TV shows, video games and Game Shows. There’s even a dog-themed adventure where you BYO-canine!
The Imaginarium
Address:Â 1510 Birchmount Road, #304, Scarborough
Not only can you participate in one of their adventures (ages 13+ accompanied by an adult), you can book the VIP room to hang out in afterwards, complete with a big screen TV, sound system and pool table.
Escape Games
Address: 15 Kodiak Crescent, Toronto
More appropriate for teens 16+, this space near Sheppard West subway station is the largest in Toronto, with an average area of 700+ square feet per game room.
BRKFREE Mississauga
Address: 1620 Tech Avenue, Unit 4, Mississauga
Want to combine mental challenges with physical tasks? This huge space of over 25,000 square feet in Mississauga puts teams through their paces! In 40 high-tech challenge rooms, compete with other teams as you escape through obstacle-course activities, trivia, skill-based challenges and numerous themes.
Captive Escape Rooms
Address: 3413 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga
All of the bookings at Captive Escape Rooms are private, so it will just be you and your team working together. The games are designed for ages 13 and up, so anyone below the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Captive Kids
Address: 3413 Wolfedale Road, Unit 2, Mississauga
For a more family-oriented version of the Captive Escape Room, Captive Kids is designed as a safe but challenging experience for families and groups of children. Locations in Toronto and Vaughan are also coming soon!
Escape Maze
Address: 156 Cedar Bank Road, Peterborough
Escape Maze in Peterborough hosts outdoor adventure games that combine mystery scenes with the great outdoors on various adventure trails around their vast property, plus indoor escape rooms throughout the year, as well as special events such as laser tag, Dungeons & Dragons, and “glamping”.
Game Over Escape Rooms
Address: 1739 Dundas St. East, Second Floor, Mississauga
This chain of escape rooms has locations all around the world! Game Over includes different themes, including magic, lost cities, and haunted mansions, set up with intricate details. Players under 18 require an adult to sign their waiver. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult while playing.
Ready Set Go Adventures
Address: 736 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke;Â 975 Mid-Way Blvd., Unit 2, Mississauga
Get immersed in this point-based, interactive physical adventure experience with a series of interactive puzzles, challenges and obstacles. All adventures are rated 13+, and younger players must be accompanied by an adult (kids 9 years old or under are not permitted).
There are lots more ideas for Birthday Parties to celebrate here!
