Kids, teens & adults
Birthday parties at a private escape room in Chicago
Fox in a Box Chicago hosts private escape room birthday parties for kids, teens and adults, inside Dearborn Station, 47 W Polk St, Suite L5, Chicago, IL 60605. Every booking is your group only: 2 to 7 players per room, and an option for a party of any size.
Each game lasts 60 minutes (plan 80 to 90 minutes in total), and we’re open daily from 10 am to 11 pm. Prices start from $39.95 per person: see all prices.
- 100% private: your party only
- 2–7 per room, any party size
- 60-minute game, 80–90 minutes in all
- Dearborn Station, just south of the Loop
Why it worksA birthday everyone plays
- Your group onlyEvery room is private. No strangers, just the birthday crew, a story and a 60-minute clock.
- Nobody sits it outEscape rooms need every pair of eyes: the quiet cousin and the loudest friend are on the same team.
- A story to retellBreak into a vault, stop a nuclear launch or plan a prison break. You leave with a group photo and a story for the next birthday.
- Easy to planOne booking, one address, open daily from 10 am to 11 pm.
Rooms by ageWhich room for which birthday?
The Bank, The Bunker and The Prison suit every age, from kids’ parties (with an adult in the room) to teens and adults. Zodiac is a true-crime thriller for adults: every player must be 18 or older.
HeistThe BankKids, teens & adults
Spy missionThe BunkerKids, teens & adults
BreakoutThe PrisonKids, teens & adults
ThrillerZodiac18+ only, every player
The age rules
- Under 14An adult in the roomA parent or another adult, such as a teacher or chaperone, plays along in the room. One adult per room is enough, and that adult counts as one of the room’s players.
- 14 to 17A guardian on siteA parent, guardian, teacher or chaperone stays at Fox in a Box during the game, but not in the room. Only a parent or guardian can sign the waiver for a player under 18.
- 18 and upEvery roomAdults can play any room, including Zodiac, which is 18+ for every player.
Group sizesFrom 2 guests to a big party
Small party? Take one room. Bigger party? Split into teams and race each other in rooms that start at the same time, then compare times and photos.
Under-18 parties play The Bank, The Bunker and The Prison; adult parties can add Zodiac.
- 2–7One roomThe whole party plays together in one private room.
- All fourRooms at onceTeams play side by side with the same start time.
- Big partiesStaggered start timesRooms run back to back, so a big party can play in waves.
How to bookThree steps to the party
- Pick your roomUp to 7 players? Choose a room and a start time in our booking calendar. Bigger party? and we’ll line up the rooms.
- Tell everyone where to goWe’re inside Dearborn Station, 47 W Polk St, Suite L5, Chicago, IL 60605. Enter Dearborn Station through the doorway under the large clock tower and follow our sign downstairs to Suite L5.
- Arrive on time and playCheck in, get a 5-minute briefing, play for up to 60 minutes and finish with a group photo. Plan 80 to 90 minutes in total.
Food and drinks? We don’t have a party room for food, drinks and presents at Fox in a Box, so plan to eat before or after your game. Ideas in birthday party ideas in Chicago.
Real reviewsBirthdays that escaped
It’s become tradition for birthdays we do an escape room and picked Fox in a Box for this one. We did the Bunker and Adam was our host. He was super helpful and kept us on track since we told him we’ve done 4 or 5 in the past and have yet to get out. With 42 seconds left we were able to save the world from nuclear fall out. You’re welcome. :D The post card we each got at the end is also a fantastic personalized touch and made us all laugh. Will def come back to Fox in a Box for the next birthday.
I took my kids here to do the Bunker room and we had a great time! Jeremy helped us just the right amount to make it fun and still challenging.
My friends and I did the Zodiac room and it was amazing!! Creepy without being outright scary and so fun for true crime lovers. Our game master, Adam, was fantastic and gave us enough nudges without spoiling the answers. It was all of our first time doing an escape room and we had the best time thanks to him and the room choice. Definitely check it out!
When you get a little older, “clubbing” on a Friday night is just not as appealing anymore. So what do you do? You gear up your noggin and go to an escape room with your fellow old friends.
QuestionsBirthday party FAQ
More in our full FAQ. Planning ideas from our blog:
- Birthday party ideas in Chicago
- Adult birthday party ideas in downtown Chicago (for 4 guests or 40)
- The birthday activity Chicagoans are raving about
- Great ways to celebrate your birthday in Chicago right now
- Unique and offbeat birthday party options in Chicago
- My 10-year-old wants a birthday party at Fox in a Box. Can you host it?
Can kids have a birthday party at Fox in a Box?
Yes. Kids under 14 play with an adult in the room (one adult per room is enough, and that adult counts as one of the room’s players), and teens aged 14 to 17 can play on their own while a parent or guardian waits on site. The Prison and The Bunker have a child-friendly version designed for ages 10 to 14. The Bank, The Bunker and The Prison suit kids’ and teens’ parties; Zodiac is 18+ only.
How many guests can come to a birthday party?
Each room takes 2 to 7 players (The Bank 2–6, The Bunker 2–7, The Prison 2–6, Zodiac 2–5). All four rooms can run at the same time, The Final Exam (up to 15, at our location) can run alongside them, and with staggered start times we can host big parties too. Under-18 parties use The Bank, The Bunker and The Prison.
Will other people be in our room?
No. Every booking at Fox in a Box is private: your party only, never strangers.
How long does a birthday party take?
The game itself is 60 minutes. With check-in, the briefing and a group photo at the end, plan on 80 to 90 minutes in total.
How do we book a birthday party?
For one room (up to 7 players), pick a room and a time in our booking calendar. For a bigger party, or call or text (312) 291-1127 and we’ll line up several rooms with the same start time.
Is there a party room for food and cake?
We don’t have a party room for food, drinks and presents, so plan to eat before or after your game. Ideas in birthday party ideas in Chicago.
How much does a birthday party cost?
Prices are per person and the same for every room, from $39.95 per person (weekdays, 6 or more players), before Chicago’s 9% amusement tax. See all prices; the booking calendar shows your exact total before you pay.
Can I give an escape room as a birthday present?
Yes. A Fox in a Box gift card covers any of our four private rooms, arrives by email right after checkout and is valid for up to 5 years.
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