Escape Right Here on O‘ahu
Solve riddles, search for clues and race the clock to break out of these family-friendly escape rooms across the island.
Your mission: Find an activity to entertain your whole crew, plus sneak in some family bonding without them knowing it. These six unique escape room games on O‘ahu will have you sleuthing, cracking code and searching for answers together. The ultimate goal is to escape or solve the mystery within 60 minutes using brainpower, logic and science, too!
Tips for a successful outing
- Choose wisely. Select an escape game theme that matches your family’s interests and desired difficulty level. Most games are rated on a 1 to 10 scale based on difficulty.
- Book ahead. You’ll want to make your reservations online beforehand to secure your spot. Take note of whether the game will be private or a shared experience with others.
- Call about littles. Most games do not charge for young children, but some count towards the headcount, so it’s best to double-check before you arrive.
- No outside help. You may be asked to turn off your mobile phones or leave them in the lobby. Plan for this in advance, or if you need to make a call, leave the escape room.
- Eat afterwards. Just a heads-up that food and drink are not allowed inside escape rooms (for obvious reasons).
Photo: Courtesy of Breakout Waikīkī
Breakout Waikīkī
Recommended for ages 6 and up. $40/person.
With five themed live-action escape rooms, think about which would be best for your family. The least difficult option, Secret Sabotage, puts you aboard a railway freight car whose brakes have been cut. Can you stop the train in time? We love that Breakout Waikīkī keeps things fresh with frequent unique additions to the rooms, making each visit a new adventure.
227 Lewers St., Suite 112, Waikīkī, (808) 926-1418, breakoutwaikiki.com, @breakoutwaikiki
SEE ALSO: 8 Things To Do in Waikīkī
Photo: Courtesy of Chambers Escape Games
Chambers Escape Games
Recommended for ages 7 and up. Prices range from $36–$48/person for kama‘āina.
Locally owned and operated, Chambers Escape Games wows with a theatrical level that rivals Disney with lighting, set design and special effects in its live-action escape room, The Temple (think: Indiana Jones). Or choose to play one of seven virtual reality games together, including a space-themed mission where you must destroy an asteroid to save mankind. The youngest players will enjoy The Dragon Tower, a Harry Potter-like fantasy world with the lowest difficulty rating. Note: keiki must be at least 48 inches to play the VR games.
550 Halekauwila St., Unit 201, Kaka‘ako, (808) 215-9170, chambershawaii.com, @chambershawaii
Hawai‘i Escape Challenge
Recommended for ages 10 and up. $28–$34/person depending on the day of the week.
Described as a “video game come to life,” this outfit at Pearlridge Center features five live-action escape rooms. Select Nuclear Launch or The Cabin for the best chances of winning. We love that they also offer traveling escape challenges where you can enjoy the escape room concept at your special event or birthday party.
Pearlridge Center, Wai Makai, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea, (808) 379-0952, hawaiiescapechallenge.com, @hawaiiescape
SEE ALSO: Party Time! How to Make Your Occasion Extra, Extra Special
Photo: Courtesy of Room With a Clue
Room With a Clue
Recommended for ages 9 and up. $34/person.
Try out these three locally designed and built escape rooms. Dale’s Barber Shoppe is best suited for kids and will have the whole family working together to unlock a special tool kit before a famous client arrives. We are curious about a new holiday-themed escape room debuting here soon, but heads-up, it could be scary!
1130 N. Nimitz Highway., Suite B295, Iwilei, (808) 797-8147, roomwithaclue.com, @roomwithaclue
Photo: Courtesy of Scaventour
Scaventour
Recommended for ages 7 and up. $29 for adults and $24 for keiki under 14 years old.
Scavenger hunt meets escape room at Scaventour where your mission takes place outdoors in public spaces around Waikīkī. Families can choose from two locally themed games: Duke’s Revenge or Tourist Trap. Walk the 1.5-mile course, solve puzzles and crack 15 locks along the way with help from your Game Master Guide.
Various locations around Waikīkī, (808) 373-6869, scaventour.com, @scaventour
SEE ALSO: Where to Park in Waikīkī
The Escape Game Honolulu
Recommended for ages 13 and up. $42.99/person.
Keiki will love exploring the immersive, high-quality rooms at The Escape Game Honolulu. In fact, each of the six live-action escape games has multiple rooms to delve into. While they recommend their games for ages 13 and up, younger players are welcome. Try the easiest games, Gold Rush, a linear game where the whole family can work together, or Playground, a game designed to look like a fourth grade classroom. Be sure to lean on your Game Guide for unlimited hints and clues!
Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. #2404, (808) 736-3834, theescapegame.com, @theescapegame
