What to Bring to an Escape Room: A Complete Checklist

Bring very little: yourself, your teammates, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes and a willingness to speak up. Everything else is optional, and most of what people pack (notebooks, flashlights, bags) is either provided in the room or not allowed in. You usually don’t need ID either, though it never hurts to read your booking confirmation first.

This guide covers what to bring, what to wear, what to leave behind, what to do about phones and bags, and how to get a group ready so you spend your 60 minutes solving puzzles instead of sorting out logistics.

TL;DR

• Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes you can move in. Layers beat a single heavy jacket.
• Bring your group, your booking confirmation and a clear head. Notebooks, flashlights and gadgets are optional extras at best.
• Expect to leave bags, phones and outside food and drinks outside the room. Rules differ from venue to venue, so check yours.
• Most escape rooms don’t check ID, but a late-night slot or a mature theme can change that. Read the booking page.
• Arrive early, agree on a communication style before the clock starts, and ask the game master anything you’re unsure about.

Table of Contents

• The short answer: what you actually need
• What to wear to an escape room
• Do you need ID for an escape room?
• Phones, bags, food and drinks: what happens at the door
• Pen, paper and flashlights: do you need them?
• What to bring that isn’t in your bag
• How to prepare your group before game day
• What to expect when you arrive
• Perspective: why we keep it simple
• Ready to book your room
• Quick pre-game checklist
• FAQ
• Sources

The short answer: what you actually need

An escape room is a self-contained game. The room is built to give you everything required to finish it, which means the items you carry in matter far less than the way you work together.

Here is the realistic list:

If you want a second opinion on first-timer prep, our escape room checklist for beginners walks through the same ground in more detail.

What to wear to an escape room

Dress as you would for a casual afternoon with friends, with movement in mind. Some rooms ask you to search low shelves, look under furniture, or step around props. Others have you walking between spaces or moving through tight areas.

Shoes

Choose closed-toe shoes with a flat or low sole: sneakers, flats, boots. Skip flip-flops, high heels and anything that slips off. Rooms are often dimly lit by design, and props or cables can sit near the floor.

Clothing

Stretchy jeans, leggings, joggers and a t-shirt all work. Avoid tight skirts or very narrow pants that limit how far you can bend or reach. Skip dangling jewelry and long scarves that can catch on props.

Layers

Bring a light sweater or hoodie you can tie around your waist. Colorado Springs weather swings quickly, so what feels right in the parking lot may not feel right once you are indoors and busy. A layer you can take off is better than a coat you have to carry.

Should you dress for the theme?

It’s not required, but it’s fun. If you’re booking something like a 1920s gangster dinner or an 80s basement mystery, a themed hat or a retro t-shirt gets everyone in the mood and makes better photos afterward. Just keep comfort first. For more on this, see our guide on what to wear to an escape room.

Do you need ID for an escape room?

Usually not. Escape rooms generally don’t serve alcohol and don’t sell age-restricted products, so there is typically no legal reason to check a birth date at the door. One industry blog on ID checks at activity venues makes the same point: the booking is paid under a name, and staff mostly need your group to show up. It also notes that some venues do check ID for late-night bookings or for horror-themed rooms with an age recommendation.

So the practical advice is this:

1. Read your booking confirmation. If ID is required, it should say so.
2. Bring a photo ID or a school ID if you’re an adult, simply because it costs nothing to carry one.
3. If you’re booking for minors, check the age guidance for the room you’ve chosen. Our post on escape room age limits explains how to think about it.
4. If a room has intense content, read its warnings before you go. We cover that in our escape room content warnings post.

If you’re unsure about a specific booking with us, contact us before your visit and we’ll tell you what applies.

Phones, bags, food and drinks: what happens at the door

This is where venues differ the most, so treat these as typical practices, not universal rules.

Phones

Many venues ask you to put phones away before the game starts. The reasons are simple: a phone can look up answers, which defeats the point, and a lit screen breaks the atmosphere. It can also get lost among props. Tell your group in advance so nobody is surprised, and let one person know where to reach you if you have a babysitter, an on-call shift or a family emergency. If you really need your phone available, tell the game master at check-in rather than hiding it in a pocket.

Bags and purses

Large bags are awkward in a room built for searching. Leave them in the car or at home when you can. A small wallet and your keys are all you need, and many people leave even those outside.

Food and drinks

Eat before you arrive. A 60-minute game is short enough that most people don’t need a snack, and spilled drinks and sticky hands don’t mix well with props and puzzles. Drink some water before you start, and have a bottle waiting in the car or lobby for afterward.

Outside tools

Magnifying glasses, UV lights and lock-picking tools are not needed. Puzzles in a well-designed room are solved with the clues in the room, not equipment from your pocket. Bringing your own gadgets can even get in the way, because rooms are built so that nothing outside is required.

Pen, paper and flashlights: do you need them?

Many beginner guides tell you to bring a notebook and a flashlight. In practice it depends on the venue. If personal items stay outside, you’ll be glad you didn’t plan around them.

What matters more is information management inside the room:

• Say clues out loud as you find them, so everyone hears the same thing.
• Keep found items and clues in one spot, such as a table, so nothing gets lost.
• Appoint one person as the “keeper” of codes and numbers who repeats them back before anyone tries a lock.

That low-tech system works better than a notebook that only one person can read. If you want a method for tackling puzzles, our step-by-step escape strategy and our guide on how to solve escape puzzles go deeper.

What to bring that isn’t in your bag

The best preparation is mental, and it weighs nothing.

A communication habit

The most common reason groups run short on time is not hard puzzles. It’s two people solving the same puzzle while a third has already found the key to it. Agree on a few habits:

• Announce what you found, even if it seems minor.
• Say what you’re working on so others don’t duplicate it.
• Pass puzzles on when you’re stuck for a couple of minutes. Fresh eyes often solve them instantly.

Patience with each other

Teams with different personalities (the fast guesser, the careful planner, the person who loves searching) do well when everyone’s style gets room. Let each person contribute what they’re best at.

Curiosity about everything

The odd poster, the strange piece of furniture and the unusual object on the shelf are often part of the game. Look at everything and touch what you’re allowed to touch. Follow the game master’s instructions about what is not part of the game.

How to prepare your group before game day

A little planning makes the difference between a stressful hour and a fun one.

1. Pick the right room for your group. Match the difficulty and theme to the people coming. A room that suits seasoned players may overwhelm a first-timer, and a family group with younger kids needs something different from a team of coworkers. Our escape room selection guide helps you choose.
2. Confirm the headcount. Check the room’s recommended group size when you book, and tell everyone the start time and address.
3. Plan to arrive early. Aim to be there before your slot so check-in, the briefing and a restroom stop don’t eat into your game.
4. Share the basics. Send the group a short message: what to wear, what to leave in the car, and where to park.
5. Set expectations for mixed ages. If you have kids and adults together, give younger players jobs they can own. See our tips for mixed-age escape room groups.
6. Decide what happens after. Book dinner or ice cream nearby so nobody leaves early to eat.

For corporate and team-building groups

Colleagues often arrive straight from the office. Tell them to wear what they’d wear to a casual Friday and to leave laptops and badges in the car. Remind the group beforehand that titles don’t matter in the room. Some of the best moments come when a junior team member spots the answer.

For tourists

If you’re visiting Colorado Springs, keep in mind that altitude and a day of sightseeing can leave people tired. Drink water earlier in the day and schedule your game when your group has energy, not at the end of a long hike.

What to expect when you arrive

The first few minutes set the tone.

• Check-in. Give your name, confirm your group size and settle any remaining paperwork.
• Briefing. A game master explains the story, the basic rules and the safety points. Listen closely, because this is where you learn what is off-limits, how hints work and how to end the game if someone needs out.
• Rules of the room. Typical instructions include not forcing anything, not climbing on furniture and not moving things marked as out of play. Our escape room code of conduct explains what that looks like.
• Hints. Most rooms let you ask for help. Using a hint isn’t failing. It keeps the story moving.
• The clock. Once the door closes, the countdown starts. Time moves faster than you think.

If anyone in your group has a physical limitation, a phobia or a health concern, tell the game master at check-in so they can explain what the room involves.

Perspective: why we keep it simple

We run escape rooms in Colorado Springs, and we see the same thing from first-time groups every week: they arrive worried about what to pack, when what they need is to relax and be ready to play.

Our rooms are always private, so it’s just your group in the room, whether that’s a family, coworkers or friends on vacation. That changes how you prepare. You don’t need to impress strangers or work around anyone else’s pace. You need a plan for how your own team talks to each other.

We built a lot of themes on purpose, from a real airplane to a pirate ship, because different groups want different adventures. That variety is why we tell guests to dress comfortably and leave the gear at home: the story is in the room, and so are the puzzles. Veteran and family ownership means we care that your whole group, young and old, feels welcome from check-in on.

If you’re unsure about anything, ask us. A short message before your visit saves guesswork on the day.

CodeBusters

Ready to book your room

If you’re planning a game, we have rooms for different group sizes, themes and difficulty levels at our two Colorado Springs locations, and every booking is a private room for your group. Browse the full list of escape rooms in Colorado Springs and pick a story that fits your team. We also offer gift vouchers, and military and veteran discounts.

Not sure where to start? Try Past to the Future for a time-traveling adventure, or Dinner at Capone’s if your group likes a Prohibition-era setting.

Quick pre-game checklist

Print it, screenshot it or send it to your group chat:

• Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes
• A light layer
• Booking confirmation
• Photo ID in your wallet, just in case
• Phones silenced and ready to be put away
• Bags, snacks and drinks left in the car
• Everyone arrives early
• A shared plan: say what you find, split puzzles, ask for hints
• Questions for the game master saved for the briefing

FAQ

Can you take a bag into an escape room?

It depends on the venue, but most prefer you leave bags outside. Large bags are awkward in a room built for searching and moving around. Bring only a small wallet and keys, or leave even those in the car, and ask at check-in if you have a medical item you need to keep with you.

Can you bring your phone into an escape room?

Many venues ask you to put phones away so nobody looks up answers and the story stays immersive. If you need to be reachable for a real reason, such as childcare or work, tell the game master before the game begins. Don’t hide a phone and hope it goes unnoticed.

What should you wear to an escape room?

Wear comfortable, flexible clothes and closed-toe shoes with a flat sole. Bring a light layer you can take off. Skip heels, flip-flops, tight skirts and dangling jewelry, since you may be bending, reaching or crouching during the game.

Do you need ID for an escape room?

Usually no, because escape rooms rarely sell age-restricted products. Some venues may ask for ID on late-night bookings or for rooms with an age recommendation. Check your booking confirmation, and contact the venue if you’re unsure.

How do you prepare for your first escape room?

Choose a room that fits your group, arrive early and agree on how you’ll communicate. Say clues out loud, split puzzles between players and ask for a hint when you’re stuck. Dress comfortably and leave extra gear at home.

Sources

• Do Escape Rooms Check ID? Axe Throwing Age Rules (IDGod)