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 that will unlock clues to 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 about age requirements, plus some escape rooms may require a waiver for younger participants.
Casa Loma Escape Series
Where: 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.
Captive Escape Rooms
Where: 43 Elm Street, Suite 200, Toronto; 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.
Daydream Adventures
Where: 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
Where: 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.
Escape The Ship (May-October)
Where: 585 Queens Quay West, Toronto; 200 Harbourfront Drive, Hamilton; 9 Simcoe Street, Barrie
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.
E-Exit Yorkville Escape Room
Where: 70 Yorkville Ave., Unit# LR1, Toronto
This well-known chain from B.C. has an outpost in Yorkville, where groups play games based on space, sci-fi, fantasy and action-adventure themes.
Looking Glass Adventures
Where: 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.
Proxima Command Escape Rooms
Where: 253 Christie Street, Toronto
Ideal for science fiction fans looking for something different, this place feels like you’re in a video game! Enter The Starship or The Space Station rooms to fully engage with this unique world.
Roundabout Canada Escape Room
Where: 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
Where: 1615 Dupont Street, Toronto
For pop-culture fans, this venue has changing themes, such as The Simpsons, video games and Taylor Swift. There’s even a dog-themed adventure where you BYOcanine!
Omventure Canada (previously Omescape)
Where: 1187 Kennedy Road, Scarborough; #7 7501 Woodbine Ave., Markham
With locations in Scarborough and Markham, test your skills in different themed escape rooms. Each location also houses a large board game cafés along with video game consoles.
Escape Games
Where: 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.
The Imaginarium
Where: 116 Tycos Dr. Unit #4, Toronto
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.
Activate
Where: 25 Peel Centre Drive, Unit 1, Brampton; 2030 Appleby Line, Burlington; 42 Pinebush Road, Cambridge; 1980 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough (Toronto Stockyards and Mississauga locations coming soon!)
For an active version of an escape room, challenge your agility, problem-solving and speed as you physically jump, climb and dodge in arcade-style games.
Captive Kids
Where: 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
Where: 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
Where: 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 mansion, 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
Where: 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).
Trapped Escape Room
Where: Ajax, Barrie, Burlington, Guelph, Markham, Mississauga, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, Oshawa, Vaughan, Waterloo
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 archeology, carnivals, pyramids, treasure, science fiction and much more.
There’s lots more ideas for Birthday Parties to celebrate here!
