Act out your sleuthing fantasies for a new and exciting family activity at an escape room! If you haven’t heard of this 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 the secrets in our list of family-friendly 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.
Toronto
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
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 Jungle, Pirate, Magic School, Fairy Tale, and Bomb Disposal.
Escape The Ship (May-October)
Where: 585 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.
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 a starship simulator with full sets and over 27 interactive screens 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 with The Simpsons and RuPaul’s Drag Race currently running. There’s even a dog-themed adventure where you BYOcanine!
Scarborough
Omescape
Where: 1187 Kennedy Road, Toronto; #7 7501 Woodbine Ave., Markham
With locations in Scarborough and Markham, along with escape rooms and a board game café, there are also chase tag games (18+, except for full private bookings) called Epic Runner in a 7000+ square foot indoor arena!
North York
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.
Greater Toronto Area
Activate
Where: 25 Peel Centre Drive, Unit 1, Brampton; 2030 Appleby Line, Burlington; 1980 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto
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. A location in Toronto is also coming soon!
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.
Trapped Escape Room
Where: 3130 Hwy 7 East, Markham; Unit 5 – 2273 Dundas St. West, Mississauga; 60 Winges Road Unit #6, Woodbridge
Trapped has locations in Markham, Mississauga and Woodbridge, plus many more in the works across Ontario. 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!