Family escape room: a mystery game in front of the TV
A family escape room is played in front of the TV. It tells the story, and every phone hides a piece of the solution: screens bring the family together instead of splitting it up.
Why it works for families
In an escape room at home like After Hours at the Museum, no player holds all the cards. The teen with the gallery floor plan needs the parent reading the curator’s note, who in turn needs the little sister who spotted the statue lit by the moon. Everyone becomes essential at some point in the game, whatever their age.
The phone, so often a source of arguments, is used here to play together. You set it on the table, read out loud, compare. The TV keeps everybody facing the same scene.
A story that suits teens
After Hours at the Museum is recommended for ages 12 and up. The team is locked in a museum after closing, a guard talks them through it over the security cameras, and someone else is lurking in the rooms. The suspense comes from the mood and the mystery, with no violence on screen. The puzzles rely on observation, logic, a little music and a lot of discussion.
To pick the right game for each age, read our guide on mystery games by kids’ age.
Family escape room: which difficulty?
Before you start, you pick a level. Visitor suits a first family game: important objects sparkle sooner and the guard gives nudges. Investigator is the intended experience. Curator is for escape room regulars. Whatever the level, three hints per puzzle keep you from getting stuck.
Setting up a family escape room at home
- Plug a laptop into the TV (HDMI cable or screen mirroring), or mirror a recent phone to it (AirPlay on iPhone, Smart View or Cast on Android).
- Have one phone per player, from 1 to 4. Younger kids can team up with an adult.
- Turn the sound up: the museum atmosphere is half the thrill.
- Plan on about an hour and a half, or split the game over two evenings.
Only whoever starts the game buys it. The others join for free, and the first room is free so you can see if the format works for the whole family. Details are on the pricing page. For adults-only nights, see our escape room at home page.
Grandparents can join from far away
Family spread out? Remote mode lets everyone play from their own home, with their own screen and phone, during a video call. A way to spend real time together over the holidays, even from far apart. How it works is explained on the virtual escape room page.
Frequently asked questions
My child is under 12. Can they play?
Twelve is a recommendation, not a ban. The story shows no violence, but it's set in a museum at night and some puzzles call for reading and reasoning. A younger child does very well in a pair with an adult, on the same phone.
There are four of us but only two phones. Does that work?
Yes. Two players each get two roles, and the other family members search along with them. What matters is that each phone has an up-to-date browser.
How much time should we plan?
1.5 to 2 hours. If you run out of time, the game stays saved for 30 days and you can pick it up the next day.
Is a family escape room free?
The first room is free for the whole family, with no account and no credit card. After that, only whoever starts the game buys it, €9.99 (launch price until October 31, then €12.99), once. Kids and other family members join for free with the code.