Whether you’re looking to break your usual date-night cycle, want to get the children away from their screens and working together, or looking for a fun activity to do with friends, then escape rooms are the ultimate go-to entertainment for healthy minds.
I also think that there is something uniquely bonding about being locked inside of a room where the only way out is through collective brainpower, and maybe a little bit of frantic pointing at random things and laughing as the clock ticks down.
Why Escape Rooms Are Taking Over
If you love the bonding experience of playing traditional board games, then times it by ten and add a cherry on top for the stealth learning environment that escape rooms create. Solving an escape room nurtures family communication, delegation, and most importantly the ability to listen to one another.
Something that I find fascinating is how children and teenagers often spot the clues that adults have literally walked straight past several times, as we constantly live on autopilot and forget how to be aware of our surroundings. Escape rooms ground us, instil mindfulness within the moment and reignite an inquisitive mind.
And let’s face it, it’s also about earning your bragging rights whilst building incredibly memories and having fun which undoubtedly lasts far longer than a trip to the cinema or arcade.
We’re all aware of how first or early dates can feel like a bit of an interview as you search for topics of discussion and are mindful to be polite and make a good first impression. But in an escape room, you’re instantly partners in crime! Nothing says we’re the perfect match like the adrenaline rush of solving a complex puzzle with five minutes left on the clock.
The high energy, hilarity and joy that you feel when cracking codes and puzzles gives you plenty to talk about over a few drinks afterward. Undoubtedly the perfect first date story that you’ll both tell for many years to come.
The Secret Skills Honed
And whist we’re having a great time participating in an escape room, our brain is actually getting a serious workout too as we sharpen lateral thinking by looking at objects in ways that we never thought possible. Perhaps a spoon could in fact be a key, or a picture in a fame contains a secret message or code for a padlock beneath a floorboard!
It’s also fantastic for enhancing communication skills, as learning how to explain a “squiggly triangle thingy” in a way that your partner actually understands is groundbreaking. The more that we step out of our comfort zone, try new things and experience new challenges, the more that we grow as individuals, as well as strengthening bonds between relationships, family and friends.
There’s also a beauty to be admired about somebody keeping cool under pressure whilst maintaining grace, and with a big red clock above your head counting down the seconds you can be forgiven for feeling flustered. But to be calm? It’s such admirable stability, and you may just see your partner in an entirely new light of appreciation because of it.
Taking On “The Order” At Funky Snake Escape Rooms
If you’re ready to put your puzzle solving skills to the test, then you have to check out The Order at Funky Snake Escape Rooms in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
Founded by two professional entertainers with 30 years of experience in magic and comedy, their theatrical flair is everywhere! A true feast for the senses and mind alike, and I couldn’t wait to book in for a session with my daughter and friend for an evening of excitement and wonder.
With multiple escape rooms to choose from, it was a toss up for us between Possession, The Vanishing Act, the Order and Virus Attack for which my daughter chose The Order. As the door clacked shut behind us, we stepped into a world of secret societies and ancient mysteries in a room of high tech puzzles that felt so incredibly immersive.
We weren’t just solving riddles, but navigating the inner workings of a mysterious organisation which really brought the experience to life for us. Designed to be challenging, yet gloriously satisfying, with a flare for creative flow, this escape room kept our energy high from start to nail-biting finish.
Funky Snake thoughtfully offer different difficulty modes for their rooms, ensuring groups of first-timers get to play out the whole story, as well as hardcore enthusiasts being able to feel the heat, as they tailor the experience to you. With an assistance bell on the well, you can ring for a hint or clue at any point if you get stuck, which points you in the right direction without giving the game away.
As it had been some time since we’d last visited an escape room, our skills weren’t as sharp as they could have been, and we therefore weren’t as observant. Pushing the bell, we giggled at the fact that we’d walked straight past the clue earlier! Which ultimately led us to seek and search everything going forward as we became familiar with the level of depth and detail required for the objects and items around us in the room.
Playing as a group of three, we each brought something unique to the table for skillset and our approaches to success. My daughter, who is presently sitting her A-Level exams, was meticulous with reading every detail and figuring out the design of puzzles. My friend, who is responsible for teams of staff at work, took the lead and delegated tasks when ideas came to mind. And I used my high energy and enthusiasm to crouch, scramble, poke and investigate everything, seeking the end solution and working backwards to complete it.
I was also the bell-presser for hints and tips, as I was conscious of there being many puzzles ahead of us, as well as a flashing red countdown clock! Thinking back to my days of sitting exams, I remember tutors saying “if you get stuck on a question move past it and complete the rest, if you have time left over at the end of the exam you can come back to it, rather than failing the test.”
If we became stumped on one or two tasks, we may never have made it through the dozens ahead of them, so to ask for a hint here or there allows you to proceed to the bigger picture and win the game. I spent the first few decades of my life never asking anyone for help, and now I’m not too proud to hold my hands up and admit “you really got me there!” It’s also peace of mind that you won’t just stand there feeling confused with no idea what to do – as you simply push the bell and await instructions.
How incredible it was to race to the wire, escaping the room within seconds and feeling like supervillain’s in our capes. Because it’s run by people who live and breathe entertainment, the atmosphere is so quirky, polished and genuinely bags of fun for all.
Funky Snake Escapes also offer a brilliant blend of illusion and entertainment through their dedicated, air-conditioned victorian Magic Theatre and regular live events.Hosting popular monthly Magic Nights on the last Friday of every month, they proudly showcase some of the UK’s top magicians who perform mind-blowing illusions and world-class feats of magic.
For those looking to catch a glimpse of the creative process, their Open Mic Magic nights are a unique opportunity to watch established acts test out brand new material alongside rising talent. And beyond standalone stage performances, they seamlessly weave magic into their broader lineup of entertainment, offering specialised Kids Magic Shows, and themed experiences alongside a regular rotation of comedy club nights and quiz evenings.
So whether you’re rallying the family, or planning a night out with your favourite person, Funky Snake is ready and waiting for you! Grab your smartest friends, leave the real world at the door, and see if you have what it takes to join the inner circle, or crack some codes.
www.funkysnakeescape.co.uk
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