Halloween is a time of spooktacular fun, where the eerie and the playful collide in a celebration of all things that go bump in the night. It’s a season where ghosts, ghouls and zombies roam the streets – not to spread terror, but to join in the ghoulish games and candy-fuelled fun. Among the myriad of activities that define this haunting holiday, Halloween games stand out as a thrilling way to engage the imagination and bring people together. One such game that captures the essence of Halloween is The Great Zombie Escape from Paper Adventures, a print-at-home escape room designed specifically for kids age 8-12. This game transforms your home into a thrilling adventure zone, where the young ones need to solve puzzles, decode clues, and escape the clutches of adorable zombies – all within the safety of their own surroundings and within a 60 minutes time frame.
Paper Adventures have a range of adventurous story-driven print at home escape room games for kids and families on their website, including some that are perfect for Halloween. They are suitable for children aged from 4-12 years old as well as families (depending on the game you choose). Once you purchase your favourite game through their website, the games are instantly downloadable and ready to print and play. Each download contains a full colour print version of the game as well as a low ink version of the same game.
We have already enjoyed playing the Great Wizard Escape and the Great Halloween Escape, and have now played their newest addition, the Great Zombie Escape, perfect for Halloween and the darker nights, birthday nights and well, anytime really and is suitable for children aged 8-12 years old.
The Great Zombie Escape is an immersive puzzle solving escape room adventure game for 2 or more players, aged 8-12 years old. The premise is that you and your friends stumble on the secret lab of Dr Doom on your last day of camping at Misty Creek. You are locked in the lab full of strange green goo, and adorably strange Zombies. Can you escape the Zombies in time?
This is a print-at-home digital version of the game meaning that you will need access to a printer to be able to play – this is perfect for being able to play straightaway, no chomping at the bit waiting for delivery. As well as access to a printer, you will also need scissors, pencils, glue and a phone (for scanning QR codes for timer etc).
In the pack (digital download)
- Best Escape Game pdf file (for best experience, print in colour)
- Eco Escape Game pdf file (ink saving option)
- Game Master Book pdf file (tips on set-up and full solutions to run the game)
- QR code extras: set-up video, digital lock and immersive game timer video
- Download pack extras: invitations, posters and end of game messages, team certificates and fun props
After purchasing the game in digital format you will receive an email with a link to download the files, usually within a minute or two. Download the files and print out the files needed (colour or low ink version – we prefer the colour version, it does look more inviting and engaging but the low ink version is the same game play and saves a lot of ink). There are 22 single-sided pages to print for the game including the 6 story chapters, puzzles and the Game on a Page (for the adult Game Master only), plus there are also 12 pages for the Game Master Book with how to set up and play tips. You can also print posters, invites, end-game notes and certificates of competition should you need them. With the pages printed, you can now transform rooms in your home into the secret lab of Dr Doom, a giant escape room for the kids to be immersed in. The game isn’t just a series of clues to solve; it is a fun and immersive story worked around a series of puzzles and lots of great zombie Halloween fun. Before play can begin, clues and puzzles with need to be cut out, arranged and even glued together – allow 30 minutes for setup. Players are then invited to the secret lab of Dr Doom and find themselves trapped in a room, they have just 60 minutes to find and solve clues to escape the zombies!
Setting up to play is easy, the printed instructions give excellent details, or you can scan the QR code and watch an informative video to guide you through it.
With setup complete and the kids invited, play can begin. To play, it does require an adult Game Master to guide the players through the story, give extra clues if needed to progress the story and puzzle solving. Game Master ready, children ready … scan the QR code and start the 60 minutes countdown timer for the storytelling, puzzle solving adventure to begin.
This not-so-frightful zombie adventure story and game is set out and played over 6 chapters:
- Secret Door – players enter the secret lab and must find a three digit code to open a large metal door.
- Canteen – do you feed the hungry zombie cat or not?
- Studio – try not to wake the sleeping zombie.
- The Lab – quick, create an antidote before you turn into a dribbling zombie.
- The Lift – examine the map to work your way out of the powerless lift.
- The Office – that zombie looks familiar, what is it trying to say?
The Game Master guides the players through the story, reading out the chapters. The players need to find hidden messages, reorder puzzles, put decoding skills to the test, find items to gather codewords, put simple maths skills to work, map reading and crack passwords to find their way out of the secret lab before they become zombies. A varied assortment of puzzles that require different engagement and skills to solve.
Overall, the Great Zombie Escape is a testament to the innovative spirit of Halloween games. It requires an adult Game Master to guide the little adventurers through a series of challenges set in a spooky yet charming, non-threatening world. The game is designed to be played in about 60 minutes, making it a perfect activity for Halloween parties, playdates, or any occasion that calls for a dash of excitement and teamwork.
The storytelling aspect combined with a series of clues that puts language, maths and other skills to use is excellent. It’s a fun game that is also educational and encourages great teamwork and communication.
The puzzles and clues are reasonably challenging; they are not too hard but are also not so easy that the game is boring, and they need to be solved before the story can move on (and the Game Master is always on hand to give a gentle push in the right direction if required).
The puzzles have been very cleverly designed and are fun and creative, pitched at just the right level for 8-12 year olds. All the puzzles and clues are very well integrated into the story and involve observation, decoding, paper rearranging and even basic maths skills. The puzzles and clues are varied, making them interesting and engaging.
Being a digital product that you can print at home, it ensures that the fun is just a few clicks away. The game pack includes everything you need: a Game Master Book with setup tips and solutions, immersive timer and props for added magic, and even downloadable extras like invitations and certificates to enhance the experience.
The Great Zombie Escape is not just a game; it’s an opportunity for kids to immerse themselves in a narrative that celebrates the lighter side of the zombie genre without being scared or frightened. The puzzles are varied and engaging, designed to cater to children aged 8 and above. It’s an eco-friendly option too, with an ink-saving version available for those conscious of their environmental footprint – and to further its eco-friendly credentials every purchase can support planting trees (in partnership with tree-nation) in key areas affected by deforestation .
The Great Zombie Escape from Paper Adventures is a brilliant age-appropriate, fun, engaging and immersive story and puzzle solving game that makes an excellent addition to the Halloween gaming scene, birthday parties and just great game night fun. It encapsulates the spirit of Halloween, providing a safe and enchanting environment for kids to enjoy the thrill of the escape room craze, all without leaving the comfort of your own home (and a lot cheaper). It’s a game that promises laughter, teamwork, and a memorable Halloween adventure that children will cherish. If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate this Halloween rather than just bobbing for apples and Trick or Treating, look no further than this delightful DIY zombie escape game.
This Halloween, get your spook on with some challenging puzzles and happy zombie escaping!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £14.99 (Digital Download)
For more information or to buy, visit paperadventures.co.uk.