Escape rooms work brilliantly with kids when the age, the room and the group size fit. At Escape City in Zurich-Altstetten the rule is: minimum age 12, younger children play with an adult in the room. Here is which rooms suit families, how a kids’ birthday party works and what to look out for.
From what age can kids play an escape room?
From age 12, kids play independently as a group. Younger children are welcome as long as an adult plays along in the room. The adult counts as a full player and is charged at the regular rate. The reason: the puzzles need reading, combining and a bit of stamina, and someone in the room should keep the group together when it gets tricky.
Which rooms are right for families?
- Ninja Turtles (difficulty 6 of 8): one of our three family rooms. Action-packed, colourful, with plenty of tasks you can split up. The favourite for birthdays.
- Titanic (4 of 8): the gentlest start. Atmospheric, no jump scares, ideal for a first escape room with kids aged 12 and up.
- Star Wars (5 of 8): for fans aged 12+ who want to save the galaxy. Medium level, works well with an adult in the team.
- The Ring: our horror room with darkness and jump scares. Not suitable for kids, we recommend it from age 16.
How big should the group be?
Each room takes 2 to 6 players. With kids, a group of 4 to 6 works best: enough hands for the tasks, but everyone gets a turn. For a birthday with 10 or 12 kids, split into two rooms. The rooms run in parallel and afterwards you compare at the bar who was faster.
Kids’ birthday parties at Escape City
For birthdays there are packages: the Birthday Cake Package with a cake from Confiserie Bachmann (chocolate mousse, vanilla mousse, strawberry or Black Forest, order at least four days ahead), a birthday apéro with snacks and drinks, or a pinsa feast with pinsa Margherita, chorizo or grilled vegetables, gluten-free or vegan on request. While the kids puzzle away in the room, the parents relax in the lounge. Packages are added to the room price; the request calculator shows the total immediately.
Five tips for an escape room with kids
- Tell us the kids’ ages when booking, so the game master can adjust the hints.
- Pick Ninja Turtles or Titanic for the first round, The Ring and Houdini can come later.
- Plan 90 minutes: briefing, 60 minutes of play, then cake or pinsa.
- Arrive 15 minutes before your slot so the group can settle in.
- Free parking is right outside, and the Bändliweg tram stop is a one-minute walk.
Request a kids’ birthday party
Frequently asked questions
From what age can kids play an escape room?
From age 12 independently, younger children with an adult in the room. The accompanying adult plays along and is charged at the regular rate.
Which escape room is best for kids?
Ninja Turtles (difficulty 6 of 8), Star Wars (5 of 8) and Titanic (4 of 8) are our family rooms; Titanic is the gentlest start. The Ring is a horror room and not suitable for kids.
How many kids fit into one room?
A maximum of 6 people per room. Larger birthday groups play in parallel in two or three rooms.
Can we leave the escape room if a child gets scared?
Yes, at any time. The doors are never really locked, and the game master follows the game via camera and radio.
How much does a kids’ birthday party in the escape room cost?
The room costs CHF 99 to 210 depending on group size. The birthday packages with cake, apéro or pinsa are added on top; the request calculator on the kids’ birthday page shows the exact price.
