Premium · For All The Family
The December Dilemma
Grumble the elf has locked Santa’s workshop and hidden the key. Behind every door of the advent calendar is an escape room puzzle: codes, padlocks, hidden numbers, light patterns and more. Each one wins a letter of Grumble’s secret message, and the message tells you where the key is.
The Story So Far
Every year, Santa’s elves throw a big party when the last present is wrapped. Every year, Grumble the elf is left off the list.
This year he has had enough. On the first of December he crept into the workshop after dark, locked the big front door and hid the key somewhere in the village. No key, no workshop. No workshop, no presents.
Grumble is grumpy, but he is not mean. He could not resist leaving clues. He hid twenty four puzzles behind the doors of the workshop advent calendar, and each one he solved himself earns you one letter of his secret message.
Put the letters together and the message tells you exactly where the key is. Open the last door on the twenty fifth and you save Christmas. You might even get Grumble invited to the party.
What You’ll Be Doing
Twenty five doors, and no two puzzles quite the same. A little taste of what is behind them.
Crack
The Codes
Number codes, picture codes, letters that have slipped along the alphabet. Grumble loves a secret message.
Copy
The Lights
The fairy lights flash a pattern. Watch closely and tap it back before you forget.
Steer
The Sleigh
Guide Santa’s sleigh across the rooftops, slide jumbled pictures back together and spot the numbers hiding in plain sight.
Find
The Key
Every door wins a letter. Put Grumble’s message together and door 25 is where you find the key.
Who is it for?
Families. The puzzles are pitched so a six year old can join in and the grown ups still have to think. It is best played together.
How does the advent calendar work?
A new door opens each day from 1 December. Behind it is a puzzle, and solving it wins one letter of Grumble’s secret message. Door 25 is the final escape.
What if we miss a day?
No problem. Doors stay open once they have opened, so you can catch up whenever you like.
How long does each door take?
Most doors take a few minutes. Some of the trickier ones might take a little longer, especially the light patterns.
Is it scary?
Not at all. There are no frights in this one, just festive puzzles, snow and a grumpy elf.
Does it save our progress?
Yes. Your solved doors and letters save to your free Escape Verse account, so you can play on a phone one day and a tablet the next.
Do we need an account?
Yes, a free one, so your doors and letters are kept safe. A grown up can make it in ten seconds.
Can we play on a tablet or phone?
Yes. Everything works with a tap, and the calendar fits phones and tablets in any direction.
What do we get for finishing?
The satisfaction of saving Christmas, a lot of confetti and Grumble’s grudging thanks.
How much is it?
The December Dilemma is one of our premium escapes. One purchase covers the whole family for the whole of December.