Seasonal Special: Haunted House Escape Room
Halloween on a Budget 2021
Halloween has always been one of my favourite times to get creative. Back in 2021, we decided to transform our family room into a fully immersive Haunted House Escape Room, and it quickly became one of our most memorable celebrations yet. We had great fun, blending spooky fun with puzzles, adventure, and plenty of treats.
*Becoming the Haunted Housekeeper…
Planning the Haunted Halloween Adventure
All of our designs were created in Canva, which allowed us to personalise the invitations and clues, keeping to theme, while keeping costs low. The idea was simple: the kids had to solve a series of clues to escape the haunted house. But of course, nothing in our family room was ordinary, we wanted to set the scene from the get-go creating an environment that was more than a little spooky!
Transforming the Family Room
Our family room is fairly large, and it was perfect for creating different spaces and stations within the haunted house. With a combination of DIY decor, clever lighting, and a little imagination, we turned it into a derelict, old space full of creepy surprises:
White noise on the TV added atmosphere, with gentle “jump scares” like shadows moving across the screen.
A spooky playlist ran in the background, keeping the energy high and immersive.
Cobwebs, mini spiders, and other props made the room feel abandoned and haunted, but not genuinely scary - just fun.
Escape Room Clues
Each child had a mission: to solve the clues and escape the haunted house. Here’s how the adventure unfolded:
Vampire Host: Liam stayed “dead” in a darkened corner of the room until the kids discovered him. Once they identified him, he gave them the first clue to get their adventure started.
Tarantula in a Hurricane Lamp: A hurricane lamp filled with fake cobwebs and mini spiders. They had to rummage in the spider’s nest to find the hidden clue tucked inside.
Blind Box Challenge: We used spaghetti and grapes to mimic worms and eyeballs. The kids had to reach in and retrieve their next clue without knowing what they were touching! Eeeew!
Apple Bobbing: Classic Halloween fun with a twist, the clue was carved into apples to lead the kids to the next step.
Ghost Pinata: The final challenge included a ghost pinata containing “trick or treat” surprises and the key to escape the haunted house.
Demonic Delights
No haunted Halloween adventure would be complete without themed food. Once the kids had ‘escaped’, we served:
Eyeball Pizzas – Individual pizzas with a mozzarella ball slice and an olive made perfect spooky eyes.
Sausage Roll Mummies – chipolata sausages wrapped in pastry bandages, bleeding tomato ketchup.
Monster Munch – a UK classic!
Capri Suns – A nice easy drink for individual kids, these were Halloween-themed special packs.
Monster Cupcakes – finishing with treats that doubled as decor on the table.
Reflections
Following on with my historic tradition and widely held belief; the best experiences aren’t about spending lots of money—they’re about imagination and attention to detail. With a few props, some creative design in Canva, and a little eerie background sound effect, we transformed our normal family room into an haunted Halloween adventure.
The kids loved every moment; the small jump scares, the interactive challenges, and the sense of accomplishment when they finally escaped. It was messy, fun, and very chaotic, but that’s exactly how and why we make those magical memories.
Key Takeaways for a Halloween on a Budget
Use what you have – family rooms, lighting, and furniture can become part of your set.
DIY props – Canva is my absolute obsession for designing clues, signs, and decorations.
Atmosphere matters – sound effects and lighting can transform a space without spending a fortune.
Interactive elements – tactile challenges and puzzles make the experience memorable.
Keep it age-appropriate – spooky, fun, and playful, not genuinely scary.
This Halloween 2021 haunted house escape room was a labour of love and creativity—and it reminded me that some of the most memorable celebrations come from imagination, not a big budget. The kids left with smiles, stories, and memories that will stick with them, and I left feeling inspired for the next adventure.
*This post is AI supported using ChatGPT for formatting
