Things to Do in Atlanta

Looking for Things to Do in Atlanta?

Feeling bored? Wondering what to do in Atlanta today? Why not try out an escape room? Even if you’ve tried one of these popular escape rooms in the past, you’ve never tried one like those at Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room! There’s a reason why our large escape rooms and varied mystery rooms are among the best things to do in Atlanta! Here’s what you can look forward to:

One of the Highest-Rated Things to Do in Atlanta

There’s a reason why escape rooms are one of the top things to do in Atlanta. Sure, the botanical gardens are beautiful, the Olympic park is great and the Georgia Aquarium is fascinating. But if you really want to get involved in a unique challenge like no other, you just can’t beat trying out an escape room.

No matter whether you’re in Atlanta for a team building exercise, a birthday party, a corporate event or just visiting friends or family, an escape room is a great way to spend an afternoon. If you’ve never done one before, you’re in for an experience like no other! 

So what exactly is an escape room? You can think of it like a timed puzzle. Most escape rooms last an hour, and there are many different clues and mysteries to solve. The catch is, you only have (in most cases) an hour to solve them. That means you have to work together with others in your group, as well as separately, to overcome the challenges of the game in enough time to escape and declare yourself victorious! 

Why Escape Rooms are One of the Best Things to Do in Atlanta GA

The interesting and unexpected part of escape rooms is that no two of them are alike! For example, if you’ve taken a tour of other things to do in Atlanta, you’ve seen it and you’re done. You could see it a second time and you’d know exactly what to expect. 

Escape rooms are different, precisely because there are several different ones to choose from. At Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room, we have several different types of escape rooms, so you can choose one that suits your mood, your favorite style of game, book or movie, and much more. 

The various escape room style always present a unique challenge not only because of the limited time available to solve the riddles, but also because of the many different ways you can approach them. 

Escape room puzzles are not linear — in other words, you don’t complete them one after another. You can tackle them in any order and you may choose to work independently, in small groups, or as a large group. Different situations call for different approaches and you’ll want to approach each one with a different perspective or view in order to emerge victorious! 

Just Visiting? Here’s What to Do in Atlanta

Wondering what to do in Atlanta today? If you’re only visiting, or if you’ve been here before, you’re probably looking for new and interesting things to captivate and amaze you. Atlanta has plenty of tourist attractions, but if you’d rather try something more interesting, check out Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room. 

We have two great locations, in Buford at the Mall of Georgia and in Downtown Atlanta. Both locations are convenient locating with plenty of parking, so you can grab a friend (or a bunch of friends, or coworkers), and tackle an escape room. 

Although the time is set for an hour, you’ll be creating all kinds of fun and interesting memories with your group. And even if you’re just by yourself, such as being in town for a conference or a party, you can definitely join in on the fun with a group and tackle any escape room that strikes your fancy!

Got Kids? There’s No Shortage of Fun Things to Do in Atlanta!

If you’ve got kids, you may be surprised to learn that Atlanta is downright fun for kids of all ages! At Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room, we have a large variety of escape rooms that even kids will enjoy! For the young (or the young at heart), we have a more simplified escape room based on a popular Dr. Suess book. It’s a great holiday escape room that’s sure to get you and your group into the spirit.

For older kids (or anyone who just likes to have a good time), there are a wide range of choices, including an escape room themed like a zombie apocalypse. Many kids looking for fun things to do in Atlanta say that our escape rooms are just like their favorite video games, except they get to be the hero! What could be better than that? 

There are plenty of fun things to do in Atlanta that don’t require you to be on your feet all day or  be out under the scorching Atlanta sun. An escape room in Atlanta will give your brain some exercise, and force you to “think outside the box” to solve puzzles and experiment to find the solution.

If you’re victorious in escaping the room, you and your group will find yourselves a place on our highly-acclaimed leaderboards. Can you and your team beat the best times in order to escape the room? Only time will tell! 

Just Here for a Day? Things to Do in Atlanta Today

Curious about what to do in Atlanta GA?  If you’re only here for a day and looking for things to do in Atlanta for that day, an escape room from Paranoia Quest is a great choice. It takes just one hour and you can even reserve a room you’d like to try directly online! Just choose the date when you’re going to be in the city, pay securely online, and you’ll be all set! 

At Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room, we have escape rooms of different sizes, including large escape rooms, smaller escape rooms, and much more. We even have escape rooms with actors that add a whole new layer of fear and urgency to trying to escape the room! 

Keep in mind that these types of rooms are for more advanced escape room aficionados, but we also have escape rooms for first-timers as well as those who are somewhat experienced with how escape rooms. There really are things to do in Atlanta for all experience levels when it comes to escape rooms! 

The Best Atlanta Activities for All Ages

The great thing about looking for Atlanta activities and trying out escape rooms are that you can really get into the act! For example, although some of the escape rooms are the same at both Paranoia Quest locations, many of them are different and only found in that one location. So even if you’ve tried all of the mystery rooms at one location, we can bet you haven’t tried all of them at the other! 

No matter what you’re interested in, chances are there’s an escape room in Atlanta that can truly take you on an adventure like no other!  Let’s take a closer look at the types of escape rooms we have available:

Adventure Escape Room – Our adventure escape room is themed like an “Indiana Jones” style room, where you’ll be among the few brave explorers after an excavation has uncovered something unique that you’ll have to see to believe. Discover the hidden ruins and the puzzles that are centuries old. Will you claim victory, or will the sands of time claim you?

Military Style Escape Room – In a hidden lab in an undisclosed location, there’s a secret lurking. It’s up to you and your “task force” of companions to see what it was that the government and the military wanted to desperately to hide, and why. In this abandoned lab, you’ll need to explore and discover the truth, and get out with the secret. 

Zombie Apocalypse Escape Room – In a dark and desolate wasteland, a sinister virus has turned most of the people into former shells of themselves. Can you solve the mysteries that caused this deadly plague while avoiding spreading the infection yourself? This is one of our most popular rooms and once you try it for yourself, you’ll see why! 

Jail Break Escape Room – The original escape room and still one of the most popular! Do you have the skills to break out of a prison cell before the guards catch you? The jail break escape room lets you test your skills in a realistic looking scenario. Escape in time and clear your name from the crime you’ve been accused of! 

Zombie Survival Escape Room – Our most challenging escape room and a fan favorite! The zombie escape room makes survival front and center by putting you in an escape room with a live (and hungry) zombie. Evil experiments have happened here, but some of them are still up and walking around. Can you and your friends escape this living nightmare, or will you become zombie bait?  This room is not for the faint of heart and not for the inexperienced! Only true escape room veterans should attempt the Zombie Survival escape room! 

Strange Fantasy Escape Room – Discover a realm where nothing is as it seems! Like a page taken out of Alice in Wonderland, enter a world where the clock that manages night and day has broken, causing the land to fall into a perpetual light. Can you discover what’s wrong with the clock in this strange fantasy world, or will you be forced to spend eternity here surrounded by daylight in a world where time stands still? 

Murder Mystery Escape Room For the true gumshoes among us and lovers of a good murder mystery, this escape room will surely have you channeling your inner Sherlock Holmes! You and your group are tasked with solving a strange murder, but all of the clues are scattered and strange. Can you piece together the riddles and find out who the perpetrator is? A great escape room for those who are fans of mystery books, detective stories and more!

Occult Witches Escape Room – Do you prefer your escape rooms to have a bit more of an occult flair? Do you enjoy watching shows or reading books about the paranormal? If so, this is the escape room for you! Step into the shoes of a renowned witch hunter and figure out the mysteries of a place where magic and mystery hang thick in the air. Wait, what was that noise? 

And Much More! These are just a few of the many different styles of escape rooms we have available. Plus, we’re always adding new escape rooms and we’ll be expanding soon, creating even more themed rooms for you and your friends to enjoy! Stop by either of our two convenient locations to experience an escape room like no other for yourself! 

There are Tons of Things to Do in Atlanta, But Nothing Creates Memories Like an Escape Room! 

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Atlanta, but only one name to know when it comes to escape rooms: Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room. Create memories for your trip or your visit that can last a lifetime! You’ll be talking about your escape room experience well after it happens, and even if you don’t make it out in time, you’ll still have plenty to talk about as you relive the experience again and again and cherish those moments in your mind.

The good news is that at Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room, we make it easy for you to experience an escape room in Atlanta! Simply choose one of our locations, check out the available rooms and learn more about the story behind each one. If it piques your interest, grab some friends (or come as you are) and reserve your spot! Our online calendar feature on our website makes it easy for you to reserve your spot in your chosen escape room — a perfect choice if you’re only going to be in Atlanta for a certain period of time.

But you don’t want to wait too long, because the escape rooms at Paranoia Quest: Escape the Room are incredibly popular and they fill up fast! On each page for each respective room, you can also see how many people each escape room game accommodates, so even if you want to join in with a larger group, chances are we can definitely accommodate your needs! 

To learn more, visit our website and read more about the available escape rooms. Schedule and pay conveniently online through our secure reservation system, or reach out to us with any questions you may have about escape rooms, what they’re like and much more. Come and experience one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Atlanta. You’ll be glad you did! 

13 of the Best Things To Do in Downtown Atlanta

Atlanta is one of the most dynamic cities in America, combining Southern charm with progressive modernism. As the bustling and lively capital of Georgia, when you visit this fine city, there’s no shortage of places to go. Downtown Atlanta is home to museums, parks, historical sites, and unforgettable experiences.

Our only complaint is that there might be too many fun things to do in downtown Atlanta, making it challenging to pick. 

Not to worry – we’re here to help! We’ve narrowed down the top 13 things to do in downtown Atlanta, GA, whether you’re a new resident or a tourist just passing through for some southern hospitality.

Interactive Experiences in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia

  1. Paranoia Quest Escape Room

    When it comes to stuff to do in downtown Atlanta, escape rooms are always at the top of our list. Paranoia Quest offers various escape rooms, each with its own immersive theme and challenging puzzles. Working together to escape one of Paranoia Quest’s locked rooms will be an unforgettable experience for your friends and family. When searching for an escape room in Atlanta, this is sure to be hit with everyone in your group!

  2. College Football Hall of Fame

    This fascinating museum and sports center features interactive exhibits and indoor activities that celebrate everything college football. One highlight is the Chick-Fil-A “Why We Love College Football” section featuring a 52-foot touch screen wall.

  3. Putt Nation Mini Golf

    This indoor mini-golf course puts a modern spin on the famous outdoor pastime. Think interactive obstacles, video screens, great food, and a high-tech tap wall. Opening early March 2023. Learn more at puttnation.com

    Popular Attractions in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia

  4. Skyview Atlanta

    This 20-story Ferris wheel is an iconic Atlanta landmark. You can enjoy sweeping views of the city as you ride in one of its 42 air-conditioned gondolas. It’s a fantastic break after a full day of sightseeing.

  5. Georgia Aquarium

    Atlanta lays claim to one of the largest aquariums in the country – the Georgia Aquarium. It features over 500 aquatic species spread over 60 natural habitats on display. One particularly fun show is the AT&T Dolphin Celebration, starring Earth’s most intelligent sea creatures.

  6. Atlanta Botanical Garden

    There’s something soothing about visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, one of the largest in the region with an impressive collection of plant species from around the world. Notable highlights will include touring the Canopy Walk and dining at the dazzling Longleaf restaurant.

  7. Ponce City Market

    Ponce City Market is perfect for those who can’t decide on what to do in downtown Atlanta. It has a little something for everyone – boutique shops, galleries, exhibits, and the best restaurants helmed by award-winning chefs. The repurposed brick structure adds to its rustic charm as you sip a margarita after a day-long shopping spree.

  8. State Farm Arena

    Watching the Atlanta Hawks play in their home arena is one of the top things to do in downtown Atlanta for basketball fans. The venue also hosts other events like concerts if you’re lucky enough to catch one while you’re in town.

    History and Culture in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia

  9. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

    Housed in a modern building, this important museum gives insight into the American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s that fought for racial equality throughout the country. Aside from the historic exhibits inside, the stunning building itself is a sight to behold.

  10. World of Coca-Cola

    You haven’t really been to Atlanta if you didn’t visit this famous museum celebrating the city’s pride and joy. The World of Coca-Cola exhibits everything about the history and culture surrounding the iconic soft drink. The best part? You get to taste over 100 different Coke variants from around the world! This should be at the top of your list of fun things to do in downtown Atlanta.

  11. Atlanta History Center

    One of the best museums in the southern United States, the Atlanta History Center gives you a glimpse into the city’s rich past. Located in a 33-acre property, the Atlanta History Center includes historically significant buildings such as Swan House, a mansion built in 1928. The museum also boasts an impressive collection of Civil War artifacts and exhibits on Native American history.

  12. High Museum of Art

    If you’ve wandered out of downtown and ended up in midtown, you’re in luck. One of the most notable things to do in midtown Atlanta is to spend time in this renowned art institution, located in the city’s trendiest district. It has an extensive collection of art from every era and artist imaginable, from contemporary American photography to classic paintings from the Renaissance.
  13. CNN Center

    If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work in a large media corporation, a studio tour at the CNN Center is just the ticket. Highlights include watching a live broadcast and riding on the longest free-standing elevator in the world.

Planning Your Next Trip to Atlanta?

It’s nearly impossible not to find amazing things to do in downtown Atlanta. For the most fun, unique, and immersive experience in Atlanta, Paranoia Quest is a must. Our interactive escape rooms feature unique themes to suit every taste and challenge level. Contact us today and reserve your next adventure!

24 Awesome Office Party Ideas That Are Actually Fun

The dreary, unpleasant office party is a thing of the past. There is no longer any justification for throwing a dull business event with an abundance of office party themes.

If you’re looking for office party suggestions that won’t have your employees calling out sick so they don’t have to attend, you’ve come to the right place! Listed below are some of the best office party ideas.

The Importance of Office Parties

Work parties have become a staple of small business enterprises and massive corporations and offer several advantages. They provide a venue for socializing and foster community among coworkers. By throwing an office party, you’ll be able to boost morale and create a fun atmosphere at the company.

When you organize an office party, your employees will see it as a message that you value them as an essential component of the company or organization. Office celebrations will increase your staff’s motivation by making them feel valued, especially if you acknowledge and reward your company associates and staff during office parties. 

Staff parties also encourage employees to become more connected and take more initiative within the organization.

24 Fun Office Party Ideas

To increase employee morale and create a joyful work environment, use one of these themes for office parties:

1. Dive into an Escape Room

Finding office party ideas that your team will enjoy is challenging. Every year, work party ideas typically follow the same format. It’s a gathering of coworkers in small groups wondering why they bothered, regardless of the location or the subject.

Why not make it easy on yourself and get inside an escape room at Paranoia Quest? Escape rooms are a hit if you want to throw your workers a unique and enjoyable party where they take on a challenge and collaborate. Since everyone has something to offer, an escape room gives each individual a moment to shine. 

Escape rooms also facilitate different office cliques to intercommunicate. It’s typical for established work buddies to gather at traditional company parties and avoid making small talk with other employees. While catching up with your favorite coworkers is good, forming new professional connections can favor productivity and increase morale.

2. Office Bingo

One of the easiest office theme ideas to execute is Bingo. Since everyone is familiar with the rules, no special setup or equipment is needed. Hand out cards to party attendees so they can play while socializing. As a quick refresher, the winner of the game is the first person to mark five consecutive squares and yell “BINGO!” Since numerous players may hit Bingo at once, it is a good idea to have a few rewards ready.

Make sure the squares are drawn at random so that no one gets Bingo at the same time. Don’t hesitate to customize the game either. Giving the squares company-specific customization makes the game feel more distinctive.

3. Office Olympics

Even if they try to disguise it at work, everyone has a competitive spirit! Everyone in the office wants more than a participation trophy. And what better occasion than an Office Olympics work party to showcase this never-before-seen need to triumph? You and your teams can participate in various competitions, from Paper Ream Racing to Rubber Band Archery.

The key thing to remember while planning your own Office Olympics is that the sillier the competitions, the better your concept for a company party will be! We advise getting medals for the winners of the first, second, and third places in the competition to put the icing on the cake.

Building up your own winners’ podium so your winners may celebrate in style can also be hilarious. As a team, enjoy some well-earned desserts and take many pictures to commemorate the occasion.

4. Bring Your Pet to Work Party!

Who doesn’t enjoy having a few pets in the workplace? Organizing a “Bring Your Pet to Work Day” will please workers by allowing them to bring their closest companion to work with them. Make sure everyone in the office is okay with the dogs being there! Consider holding a Bring Your Pet to Work event in a nearby park, outdoor area, pet-friendly brewery, or restaurant if your workplace isn’t pet-friendly.

5. Murder Mystery (Whodunit?)

Are you looking for the office party ideas that will unify everyone? Then toss in a little bit of Murder Mystery! 

An exciting Murder Mystery Game is one of the few things more enjoyable than eating. Each person will be fascinated by this event, which is chock full of surprises. Give each employee a role in a plot and designate one of them as the guilty party. 

Hints are left before the game starts. Who is behind the crime isn’t revealed until the end of the party. This event encourages communication among your staff and serves as a wonderful team-building exercise. The amount of engagement and inventiveness will increase with this game.

 If you want to take the game to the next level, schedule a Murder Mystery Game at Paranoia Quest for the entire team. We promise it will be a night nobody will forget! 

6. Cocktail Party

For a quick and easy solution to your office party conundrum, simply combine the ideas behind cocktail parties and happy hours. These gatherings provide workers a chance to unwind and mingle over drinks. You can host the gathering at a neighborhood bar, lease a venue, or arrange for a bartender to come to the workplace. You can produce trademark drinks or teach the group how to mix drinks to make the event more memorable.

7. Bringing Back Disco

The majority of corporate events around the world are known for being dull. It need not be yours. Embrace nostalgia and amazing costume inspiration to transport yourself to the 70s (or early 80s). Everyone should dress in period-appropriate attire and dance to the right music. If you want to go one step further, you can prepare food and drinks suitable for the period.

8. Games Competition

Are you ready to put your game face on? Participate in a Games Competition. You can take it as seriously as you wish or compete with your coworkers and staff for fun.

Organizing a Games Tournament offers various fun work party ideas that bring out a different side in everyone. Games can range from board games to video games or even your conventional (though reinvented) dinner party games. You could, of course, continue playing your old favorites like Monopoly and Scrabble or opt for newer games on the market that might bring on some additional excitement.

9. Office Party Scavenger Hunt

An Office Scavenger Hunt is a simple method to get everyone involved in the competition or working together. Increase the stakes by awarding the winner a great employee gift to make this a thrilling corporate party concept!

Why are scavenger hunts good office celebrations ideas? Well, they are a type of game that everyone has participated in since they were young, unlike poker or other skill-based games.

10. Bad Day Party

We all experience awful days. Sometimes everyone in the office has a rough day and needs some out-of-box staff party ideas. On these occasions, throw a Bad Day Party to brighten the atmosphere. Anything that will make the group smile, such as karaoke and food, is included in these events. Colleagues can help employees unwind by talking or engaging in fun activities while away from the office.

Most bad day parties are spontaneous events because low points are rarely predictable. Create a Bad Day Party team building kit in advance so that all the materials are ready to go, which will ease the setup for your impromptu party. After all, standing in line to purchase paper plates is the last thing anyone wants to do on a demanding day.

11. A Cirque du Soleil Night

This theme makes you and your group feel like you’re under the Big Top! Enjoy all the carnival games you can think of, along with popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy, hot dogs, and popcorn. The options for entertainment and activities are endless, including ring toss, dunk tanks, and bean bag toss. Of course, extra points are given if any leadership group volunteers are the barkers, gamekeepers, or dunk tank participants.

12. BBQ Party

Not every office party has to be a huge extravaganza. After all, having a few beers and grilling out is all you want to do on some days. Contact your neighborhood butcher, order the best cut of meat, then fire up the grill without more ado.

Don’t scrimp on the wine and beer if the party is after work hours. Everyone enjoys delicious meals and beverages. Feel free to indulge without feeling guilty occasionally!

13. Pub Quiz

The perfect way to test your general and specialized knowledge is to do so while sipping your favorite beverage. It’s not necessary to go to the pub to participate in a Pub Quiz; you can easily recreate the ambiance of a pub in the convenience of your office! However, don’t skimp on the buzzers and some genuinely terrible team names.

14. Photo Booth

Sometimes, an office party is simply a few streamers, some punch, and a table of cookies. However, you can jump-start the festivities with a simple hack. DIY photo booths are popular at events because they reflect the present culture. Nowadays, using a selfie stick is very acceptable, and at events, nothing prevents you and your group from taking pictures in a photo booth. Like no other, this workplace party concept will draw guests. In addition, if you didn’t snap pictures, did you ever party?

15. Office Award Show

An Office Award Show combines a celebration with an employee appreciation event to create a fun evening. Recognition is an effective employee engagement strategy because it helps workers feel valued, respected, and secure at work.

Making employees feel even more special by hosting an awards ceremony and celebration is a good idea. Most businesses order custom awards to present to winners in several categories, such as “top performer.” However, don’t let these prevent you from including funny categories.

If you want to take it to the next level, you may create a buzzy atmosphere at the office by rolling out a red carpet, hanging lights, and releasing star-shaped balloons. Offer refreshments throughout the event, and choose a charming presenter to present the prizes and wow the audience. A fancy dress requirement provides an added element of fun and glitz.

16. Charity Office Party

It may not be everyone’s idea of a “party,” but once in a while, giving back to the community might be a refreshing change of pace.

Social causes are dear to this current generation, and the trend of incorporating social issues into office celebrations is only logical as social causes are becoming increasingly popular. Providing volunteer services to a local non-profit organization is the most straightforward method. Consider a specific orphanage and the activities and gifts you want to bring. 

A Charity Office Party is fun and a great way to establish a strong team spirit. Your employees will be proud to be a part of a company that makes the world a better place.

17. Talent Show

Make sure everyone knows who they’re working with by unleashing those hidden talents they’ve had for so long! Even if you have a secret talent, don’t use it to get yourself in trouble or not be invited back the following day! A Talent Show, on the other hand, could be a great way to meet new coworkers and rekindle old friendships.

It would help if you thought about everything from judges to performance space to audience members when organizing a talent show for a work party.

18. Impromptu Mini Basketball Party

A Mini Basketball Hoop Tournament can be held at any time. Even during the work week, you may have a good time at the office with this entertaining party game.

Mini Hoops is a lot of fun because it’s easy to play and allows individuals to show off their basketball skills!

19. Formal Breakfast Party

Breakfast is the day’s most important meal, yet it doesn’t get the attention it should. Black-tie brunch is one of the top office breakfast ideas. 

Having a Black-Tie Breakfast Party is a fun and classy way to start the day. Bagels on a breakroom table aren’t the only issue here. Cocktail attire is required, so plan on wearing gowns, suits, or even pajamas if you want to look your best. This type of gathering is ideal when your team has a formal presentation and needs to appear in formal attire. 

Breakfast is one of the best office party food ideas because people often cannot have a whole meal because of their hectic mornings and long commutes. You can ensure that your team has a pleasant start to the day by laying out a solid spread and organizing energetic events.

20. Ugly Sweater Party

Ugly Christmas Sweater parties are a well-known tradition during the holiday season, but they can be just as much fun anytime. Wearing the worst sweater you can find to work is encouraged, and your coworkers can vote for their favorites! It is highly recommended that you decorate with ugly sweaters, drink hot cocoa or apple cider, and eat comfort food during this time of year. Remember that even though the day’s theme may be “ugly,” all activities should be fun!

21. The Sitcom Party

Sitcoms are one of the few things that no one dislikes. Nothing beats a get-together themed around your favorite TV show than a sitcom-themed party. Decorate, dress up, and eat your way through NBC’s Must-See TV lineup. Making your employees feel good about working for your company by playing on their positive memories will make them happier and more loyal. Make sure to stop by the picture booth! You will reap the benefits of your staff branding strategy in the future.

22. Obscure Holiday Party

An Obscure Holiday Party is simply an excuse to hold a party. However, Flag Day (June 14) should really get more attention, and Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sep 19) should design its own party!

So, grab a calendar and start circling dates because there’s certainly a unique holiday to celebrate.

23. Movie Night at the Office

Part of the reason movie nights are such a classic office tradition is that they are so simple to organize. The bare minimum for a movie night is television or screen and projector, as well as a few movies. These events, of course, are more enjoyable if you include extras such as popcorn and candy, movie trivia games, and Hollywood-inspired decor.

A movie can be selected and projected from your laptop or phone using streaming services like Disney+ or Netflix.

24. The Excursion Party

An out-of-the-office field trip, also known as an Excursion Party, is a great way to relieve tension for your employees. Paranoia Quest can assist you with this. The cherry on top? We’ll take care of the mess at work for you! 

Field trips are a great way to get employees to interact and form bonds. This activity has the added benefit of allowing you to customize it to fit your specific budget. 

Create the Ultimate Party Experience with Paranoia Quest

Are you searching for office party ideas you don’t have to plan, but you’ll know it’ll be a hit? All you need to do is find the closest Paranoia Quest in your area!

We currently have two sites: Escape Room Atlanta and Escape Room Buford. Paranoia Quest may be close to your workplace, depending on your location. Georgia State University in Atlanta and the Mall of Georgia are just a short drive away from our Buford site. You can choose an escape room to fit any business event or workplace party at both locations.

Jailbreak, witch hunt, apocalyptic survival, and virtual reality are just a few of the genres we offer. Your employees are guaranteed to have a memorable and enjoyable office party. 

Contact us today to schedule your next office party and learn more about our corporate and team-building events.

25 Fun Family Activities That’ll Bring You Closer

Let’s face it. There’s nothing more stressful than being a parent. You’re in charge of raising your children to be responsible, kind and generous people — all while keeping a job and managing your own time. That’s quite the tall order, which means parents everywhere have one thing in common: they need fun family activities that bring everyone closer together. Those fun family activities could be anything from board games or silly scavenger hunts to special bonding experiences like camping or weekend getaways out of town.

If you’ve been wracking your brain for activities to do with family, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find a list of fun family activities that are sure to put a smile on every face in your family.

The Importance of Family Bonding

Someone once said, “the family that plays together, stays together.” While we’re not sure what the stats are behind that saying, there is certainly plenty of evidence supporting the notion. In fact, it’s shown that taking the time to connect with children through play

  • Teaches skills like creativity and cognitive flexibility
  • Builds strong relationships between parent and child
  • Releases oxytocin during playtime
  • Strengthens relationships between both parents
  • Enhances self-esteem in children

Families that play together also stay healthier together. It sounds cliche, but the science is clear. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), having play and bonding time playing with parents and siblings is key for children to build thriving brains, bodies, and social bonds. Having fun with parents from a young age helps improve children’s abilities to organize, get along with others, and regulate emotions.

25 Fun Family Activities for Everyone

Whether you’re looking for a way to spice up your family bonding time or just want to relive some of your own happy childhood memories with the kiddos, check out this list of 25 fun family activities for inspiration.

1. Go on a treasure hunt

If your kids are still on the small side, you can channel their inner pirates with this fun twist on a scavenger hunt. Start by planting dollar-store jewels and other small toy treasures all around the inside and outside of your house. Next, draw a map on some paper that’s been stained with wet tea bags and burned a bit around the edges to give it a vintage look. Now set the kids off on their treasure hunt as you give the occasional hint and snap photos or record the event for posterity (and scrapbooking, discussed later).

If you really want to go all out, dress everyone — parents included — like proper pirates. Get some black and white striped shirts, pair them with loose britches secured with a red sash, throw in a black eye patch — you can even strap a plastic parakeet to each kid’s shoulder if you want to go all out. Argh matey, let the treasure hunt begin!

2. Take the family to an escape room

Okay, maybe we’re biased, but we think this is one the most fun family activities you can try! For a unique way to combine problem-solving and family bonding, check out your local escape room for a thrilling adventure the family won’t soon forget. For most escape room adventures, kids eight and up will be able to handle the intensity, but you can be sure that the tweens, teens and adults in your crew are going to get a real kick out of these puzzle-solving adventure games.

The way escape rooms work is you and your entourage are locked in a room. In order to escape you have to read the clues, solve the puzzles, and employ teamwork and strategic thinking to complete the objectives that will spring you from your imprisonment. The clock is ticking. If you don’t escape in time — usually 60 minutes — it’s curtains! 

Escape rooms are theme-based with decor, sounds, and lighting that make the experience as up-close-and-personal as possible. For example, the Paranoia Quest gives you the choice of participating in a murder mystery, escaping a zombie apocalypse, or escaping a room before a ticking timebomb goes off.

3. Play classic children’s games

Want to keep it casual? Opt for the classics! Hide and Seek and Kick the Can are both fun variations on the “Tag! You’re it!” kid fun favorite. These games can be adapted to be either indoors or out-of-doors, depending on the weather, that every member of the family can participate in. Kids love searching for their parents almost as much as they love squirreling themselves away in places they are sure they can’t be found.

4. Create culinary delights

Whether you want the bonding experience of passing down a beloved family recipe to the next generation or you’re just keen to get the kids to expand their palates and experiment with new dishes, cooking together can be a great way for a family to spend quality time together.

Sit down as a group and decide what new types of cuisine you want to try. Maybe let each family member be responsible for choosing a recipe and acting as head chef for a particular dish as the rest of the family acts as their helpers. You can even take it to the next level and pretend that you’re opening a family restaurant or bakery. The twists of how you and your family can have some quality kitchen and dining time together are endless.

5. Start a family book club

Encourage the entire family to become life-long book worms by creating a fun activity around reading. If everyone is at the same reading level, you can start a family book club where everyone reads a selection and then you all discuss. Not only does the family get to interact and practice good communication skills, but when each person takes a turn selecting the book they want the group to read, the others get a chance to learn more about their hobbies and interests.

6. Hike your hometown nature trails

Explore your town and surrounding countryside with your family, get some exercise, and learn new things about the flora, fauna, and geological marvels in your area. See what interesting things you can spot along your nature hike. You can pretend to be explorers or engage in the fascinating hobby of bird-watching. However you choose to frame your hiking adventures, it’s great to get out with the family and enjoy the fresh air. 

7. Visit museums

If you think museums are stuffy and boring, think again. Many of today’s museums — whether they specialize in art, the sciences, or history — have engaging exhibits designed to pique the interests of people of all ages.

Look for intriguing new art exhibits where there is an opportunity to have hands-on creative experiences or science museums with interactive opportunities to see science happening in real time. Some museums offer an opportunity for physical exertion with rock climbing experiences or kid-friendly playgrounds. If you need to drive a bit to get to your closest museum, make a day trip out of it and add in a picnic lunch.

8. Go on a family team-building picnic

Speaking of picnics, think about how you can combine a traditional outdoor eating experience with family team-building activities. Fill up a picnic basket with your favorite finger foods and find a quiet piece of country or a pristine park to gather together with the family. After everyone has had their fill, break off into teams of two or more and play some outdoor games like cornhole or horseshoes or show the kids how to toss a frisbee around. It doesn’t really matter what games you play, as long as the family is having quality time together.

9. Fly kites

Whether you buy ready-made kites at the store, or download instructions for making them yourself, everyone can have a great time outdoors flying kites. Let each child choose their own kite. Better yet, look for the type of kites that your child can color or decorate with a specially-crafted tail. Once the kites are flight ready, try to choose some fun venues for your first kite launch. Beach shorelines are great, as are community parks and fields. Look for a breezy place with few trees and lots of wide open space. 

10. Take a family road trip

Nothing makes for childhood memories like the family road trip. Call a family meeting and talk about where you’d all like to go. Whether it’s traveling to one of the country’s beautiful national parks, a dream excursion to one of the Orlando area theme parks, or just a trip to visit the grandparents out of state, half the fun is getting there.

To make the driving time fun, play road trip games like “I Spy” – where you give a hint about an object and others have to guess what it is — and license plates, where you see who can spot the most different state license plates. Don’t forget the music for singalongs and a sightseeing app so you can find interesting attractions to stop at along the way.

11. Create a family fresco

Got an empty wall that could use some original art? Why not get the family together to create your very own fresco. Buy white board paint to prep the wall. Then give each child and adult a set of white board markers and the space to be creative. You can even trace the outlines of an above-ground or underwater scene and let everyone play a part in making it come to life. What you create isn’t half as important as the act of creating. Let loose and see who the true artist is in your family! 

12. Create an indoor campsite or blanket fort

What kid doesn’t love turning their living room into a fort? Even if conditions outside aren’t ripe for camping, you can still pitch a tent inside or set up a makeshift blanket fort with couch pillows and sheets. Create a faux campfire with lanterns and tell ghost stories while eating hot dogs and s’mores. All the fun of a real camping trip but without the bugs!

13. Do a giant jigsaw puzzle

Get the biggest, most intricate, and most colorful jigsaw puzzle you can find and set up a permanent place in the house for the family to work on it. Keep track of your family’s progress and encourage friends and extended family members to help out when they’re visiting. Everyone is sure to share feelings of a job well done once the puzzle is solved. After you’re finished, you can either turn it into a wall-hanging to preserve for posterity, or break it up, pass it on to your nieces and nephews, and get another puzzle to begin.

14. Gather for a movie night marathon

You know the drill. Everyone piles onto the couch for a night of movie marathon-ing. Grab plenty of blankets, pop bowls of popcorn, and get your pajamas on. Then choose a genre or series that everyone can relate to — Harry Potter or Disney animated features are always a good choice — and snuggle in together for back-to-back screenings. Movie night is, without a doubt, one the best activities for families. 

15. Have a regular card night

Whether it’s Go Fish!, Gin Rummy, Hearts, or Bridge, it’s always fun to get together for a good old-fashioned game of cards. Are your kids a little older? Teach them poker or blackjack and set up a casino night with snacks instead of chips. Let the adults be the dealers as the kids try their luck at the card tables. Winner winner chicken dinner!

16. Create a family time capsule

This is one of those family team building activities that is sure to capture the minds of the whole family today and for years to come. Ask each family member to bring one item that reflects who they are and what they are interested in at the moment. Place each item in an airtight box and bury it in the back yard or store it in a safe-but-not-to-be-touched space in the attic or basement.

Put today’s date on it and then set a date in the future and make a pact to get together in five, 10, or even 20 years to open the box. Just think, you’ll all be gathering together again in the future to open up this reminder of a meaningful family building activity and who all of you were in the past. You’re sure to get some laughs at what the youngsters included!

17. Have a disco dance night

Pick a decade and create a playlist of music from that era. Then have everyone dress up in the outfits of those days and get moving to the beats of days gone by. Whether it’s channeling the groovy Beatles vibes of the 1960s and 1970s in tie-dye duds or punking out into the post-grunge bands like the Foo Fighters or Nickelback from the early 2000s, it’s always fun to dress up and cut a rug.

18. Sing karaoke together

Since you’ve already got those playlists going, why not put them to good use for a karaoke get-together? You can find the karaoke versions of your favorite songs on YouTube. Take turns taking center stage or create a routine that includes the entire family. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up taking your show to a real karaoke venue to show off your family’s singing and performing talents.

19. Participate in family game night

Board games have stood the test of time as a staple of family night. Go old school with Monopoly, Scrabble, The Game of Life, or BattleShip, or check out the video versions of these classic games. Want to crank up the family bonding game genre a notch? You can get board games that let you role play in a murder mystery. See who solves the crime first or who, unbeknownst to the rest of the family, is guilty of….murder. 

And if you want to just have an impromptu game-playing night together, you can always play charades, a family classic that will appeal to any of your crew that likes to ham it up.

20. Create a family vegetable garden

Share the joys of growing your own vegetables with the entire family either with an outdoor community garden, in a garden you create in your own yard, or with plants right inside your home. Start out by letting each child choose the seeds, plants, and other equipment that they might want to use. 

Get some books on gardening that you can all read together and let everyone contribute to the weeding, watering, and care of the plants. Once selected vegetables are ripe for the picking, you can all sit down and enjoy the fruits — or the vegetables — of your family teamwork.

21. Hit the skating rink

Whether you’re a roller skater or an ice skater, nothing spells family fun like taking a trip to the local skating rink. You can rent skates at the venue — so no need to invest in your own equipment — but bring your own knee pads and helmet if you’re a novice or it’s been a while since you’ve been on wheels or blades. 

Of course, if skating is old hat to you, this is your opportunity to show the kiddos how to do the limbo in roller skates or show off your single or double (or triple??) axel moves on the ice. 

22. Go miniature golfing

Miniature golf is the only place most of us have any chance of getting a hole-in-one. Suitable for all ages, mini golf is one of the most popular fun activities for family. It’s especially enjoyable for kids if the course has a theme and is full of interesting targets. You don’t even need to keep score if you don’t want to. Miniature golf is more about letting loose and enjoying the day than any kind of serious competition. But if you must compete, give the littlest ones a handicap so they have a chance to win.

23. Create a family scrapbook

Chances are you have loads of family photos and memorabilia you’ve picked up through the years. And what about all those old birthday and greeting cards you’ll feel guilty if you throw away? Preserve them for posterity while engaging in a meaningful crafting activity with your kids.

Buy the largest scrapbook you can find and gather together all your craft supplies like colored pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, ribbons, and craft paper. Then spread everything out on a large table and start turning those memories into a multi-generational scrapbook the whole family will have a blast making together. The best part is that you’ll be creating something unique to your family that you can pass onto future generations.

24. Participate in community service

One of the best family bonding activities you can engage in is doing acts of service together. Find a volunteer activity that you can all participate in. Whether it’s tending to a community garden for those in need, working with rescue animals at your local shelter, or serving the homeless during the holidays, giving back to the community is a great way to share your core values with your children and model empathy and kindness.

25.Become a family of mad scientists

Crack open that chemistry set, give life to those dehydrated sea monkeys, or build an erupting volcano in the middle of the kitchen table. There are loads of family-friendly science projects you can share with kids of all ages. Just be sure you’re prepared with any necessary safety equipment like goggles and gloves and be ready to clean up the messes that are certainly to ensue when experiments go awry. But that’s what science is all about, right? Learning through experimentation, taking calculated risks, and trial and error.

Take the Family to Paranoia Quest

Coming together to make great memories is what family time is all about. Whether you’re looking for a place to hold a birthday celebration or just want to spend quality time with the kids, the next time you plan a special family adventure, choose an escape room experience at one of Paranoia Quest’s Georgia venues. 

We have lots of kid- and adult-friendly escape rooms in Atlanta, featuring murder mysteries and Harry Potter themes! Not in or close to Atlanta? We also have escape rooms in Buford, whether you’re looking to make a jailbreak or find your way out of Wonderland.

Book your escape room today!

The Benefits of Puzzles: Do Puzzles Actually Make You Smarter?

Are you looking for an exciting evening that might boost your intelligence?

Then you want to book an escape room!

After all, as a fundamental part of human culture, the ability to think creatively in the face of challenges is in high demand.

Solving puzzles like those you might encounter in an escape room has been shown to improve your mood, adding to the already compelling evidence that these games are among the most enjoyable experiences money can buy. 

According to a study, the neurotransmitter dopamine (which controls our mood) is “released” when we solve puzzles and celebrate that “Aha!” moment. It’s no surprise that escape rooms are so popular.

But, what are puzzles good for in the grand scheme of things? Keep reading, and we’ll uncover the mysteries behind the benefits of puzzles!

7 Awesome Benefits of Puzzles for Adults

The objective of an escape room is to look for hints and solve puzzles, and this type of activity is a lot of fun for people of all ages to participate in. However, there may be more to escape rooms than just the fact that they are exciting activities. Brain health and function can see tremendous benefits from puzzles and riddle solving. 

So how are puzzles good for your brain? Here are seven benefits of doing puzzles:

1. Puzzles Give Your Brain a Complete Workout

So, how do puzzles help the brain?

Different mental processes are managed by your brain’s left and right halves. Analytical and logical thought are handled by the left side of your brain, while the right deals with creative thinking. You are giving your mind a thorough workout session as you use both sides of your brain to solve a puzzle.

2. Puzzles Make You More Attentive to Details

If you are running from a zombie apocalypse, it pays to notice minor details when putting together a puzzle. You should practice looking for the slight variations in color or shape that will allow you to see the puzzle’s bigger picture. The ability to notice and record minute details is helpful in many contexts, including the workplace. When we double-check our work by crossing our “t’s” and dotting “i’s,” our quality improves across the board.

3. Puzzle Give You Better Visual-Spatial Reasoning

To complete a puzzle, we must examine its parts and determine their proper places within the whole. Regular practice with mind games like jigsaw puzzles strengthens our capacity for abstract thought.

Now that we know that they improve our visual-spatial skills, are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain?

Putting together a puzzle is a great mental exercise that helps with focus, short-term memory, and solving problems. Scientific research indicates that engaging in mental activities like jigsaw puzzles can boost memory and spatial awareness. You can stimulate your imagination and improve productivity by treating the puzzle as a mental workout.

In addition, the same problem-solving tactics you apply to jigsaw puzzles can also be applied when you visit an escape room. Instead of playing at home, why not get out there and train your brain while experiencing the action? Solve thrilling murder mysteries, survive zombie apocalypses, and more in real-time at Paranoia Quest!”

4. Puzzles Can Boost Your IQ

Ok, so bottom line, do puzzles make you smarter?

We’ve already covered how solving a puzzle is an excellent mental workout! We can exercise and develop different parts of the brain by using them in novel ways, such as when we work through and solve puzzles.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that puzzles boost our intelligence because they force us to focus, remember, learn new words, and use logic. In fact, figuring out puzzles can increase your IQ, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan.

Increasing our originality, recall, and stress-management skills are some of the massive benefits of puzzles. If even basic puzzle-solving can improve cognitive performance, imagine what an hour in an escape room can do for your brain.

5. Puzzles Improve Problem-Solving Skills

Do puzzles help your brain solve problems?

Regarding problem-solving skills, there is nothing better than gathering a few puzzles, sitting them in front of you, and setting a time limit. An easy way to get your fix is to jump into an escape room scenario.

One reason is that you have limited time to work with, so you must contribute to the solution as efficiently and quickly as possible.

Moreover, the challenges you face in an escape room will vary from game to game, keeping you on your toes and eager to find a solution.

Since you are constantly being asked to think critically and analytically, you will see an immediate uptick in your problem-solving ability.

Once again, these are transferable puzzle-solving skills that can be put to use beyond the confines of the escape room, in this case, the workplace. You train your brain to be strategic and resilient by figuring out what a question is asking, discarding “red herrings,” and trying positive tactics until one works. You can use escape rooms to train your brain to think in new ways when the old ways don’t work. They set you up with ideal circumstances that demand you pause, readjust, and go for a second attempt as necessary.

6. Puzzle Can Help Delay Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Keeping your mind active with puzzles has benefits beyond just preventing cognitive decline in old age, such as a reduced risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientific research indicates that people with Alzheimer’s disease can slow the progression of the disease by engaging in mentally stimulating activities like solving puzzles. It helps new nerve cells develop and strengthens existing connections between existing ones.

The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease has also been linked to the amount of time a person has been solving puzzles. So, you should incorporate puzzles into your life as soon as possible. You can start taking care of your brain at any age.

7. Puzzles Can Improve Your Mood

We’ve already touched briefly on the puzzle benefits that affect mood. Puzzle-solving has been shown to increase dopamine release in the brain. This chemical messenger controls feelings of well-being and optimism. It also impacts cognitive processes like learning, memory, focus, and drive.

Dopamine is released whenever a puzzle is solved, or a piece is correctly placed. This gives us the confidence to keep pushing ourselves. As you progress through an escape room and complete puzzles, your brain registers your success and rewards you with a surge of dopamine. Overall, one’s disposition improves as a result!

Take Puzzle Solving to the Next Level with Paranoia Quest 

Paranoia Quest offers a variety of exciting escape room scenarios, perfect if you’re looking to tap into the benefits of puzzles in an exciting environment! Book your reservation for an escape room in Atlanta or one of our Buford locations by visiting our website.

The Best High School Graduation Gifts for Him

High school graduation is one of the most important milestones in a person’s life. Therefore, it makes sense that the occasion warrants a special gift to show that you are proud of their achievement. But figuring out what to get for graduation can be tricky, especially for teenage boys. With so many options to choose from, you want the gift to be valuable and practical while also having significance for the occasion. To help you make the right choice, let’s look at some of the best high school graduation gifts for him.

High School Graduation Gifts for Him

  • Escape Room
    An escape room might not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking for graduation gifts for boys, but it can actually be the perfect way to commemorate the occasion with their friends in a fun and exciting way. The escape rooms at Paranoia Quest are designed to be fun and provide an exciting challenge, something everyone who gets to participate is sure to enjoy. We have a wide range of escape room themes for any high school graduate’s personality, including Zombie Apocalypse, Murder Mystery, and many more. If you’re looking for unforgettable and unique graduation gifts for guys, an escape room is an excellent choice.
  • Quality Headphones
    Enjoying music is something shared by most teenagers, so one of the best graduation gifts for him is a high-quality pair of headphones. It’s a present nearly all young adults need but might not get themselves. If you want a gift that they are likely to use and appreciate every day, you can’t go wrong with headphones that have good reviews and will make listening to music much more enjoyable. What’s more, if you get noise-canceling headphones, it can also help when they move to college and need to study in a noisy environment.
  • Kindle
    Reading is one of the best habits a young person can develop. But carrying around heavy books is not something most people want to do, especially when they already have to carry school work and textbooks. So, if you’re looking for high school graduation gift ideas for him, why not get a Kindle reader that they can easily fit in their pocket or backpack? Instead of ordering books and waiting for them to arrive, they can quickly add a book through Amazon and start reading it mere seconds later.
  • Backpack
    Graduating high school is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore the world and millions of graduates go on summer trips to commemorate their graduation every year. Most of them do it on a budget, which means staying portable and traveling with a backpack. If you want to encourage them to take a trip, getting a high-quality backpack might be the best graduation gift for him. If they have a sturdy and spacious bag, they can take everything they need on the journey.
  • A Watch
    A watch is the perfect symbol of transitioning into adulthood, which is why it can be the perfect graduation gift for a son. It not only shows them that they are entering a new stage in their lives but also can be a valuable tool for learning time management as life starts to get busier. If you want to add a bit more practicality to the gift, you could even consider getting your son a fitness watch that might encourage him to maintain an active lifestyle.
  • Financial Planning Book
    High school can teach a lot of essentials that are necessary for succeeding in life. But unfortunately, many high schools lack financial education, resulting in young adults making poor financial decisions that have a big impact on their future. If you want to help your son avoid making financial mistakes, one of the best graduation gifts for guys managing their own finances is a solid financial planning book. While it may not be the most exciting gift, it can help them learn how to handle money, what they can do to set themselves up for success, and what mistakes to avoid in the future.
  • A Thrilling Experience
    If you’re looking for good graduation gifts for guys that will leave a lasting impression, you can never go wrong with a thrilling experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives. It can also be helpful for overcoming fears and getting out of their comfort zone, and a boost in confidence can be invaluable as they head off to college or start a new job. Whether it’s zip-lining, extreme kayaking, bungee jumping, or any other adrenaline-filled activity, you can be almost sure that this type of gift will provide an unforgettable experience that can be more valuable than a physical gift.
  • Drip Coffee Maker
    As high school graduates transition to adulthood, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to introduce them to high-quality coffee. That way, instead of spending loads of money on Starbucks, they can learn to make great coffee at home at a fraction of the cost. Drip coffee makers are an affordable, easy, and delicious way to make coffee that will provide a jolt of energy for late-night study sessions, making it one of the best high school graduation gifts for guys.

Bottom Line

Finding high school graduation gifts for him isn’t always easy. But if you match the gift with the occasion and the current stage of their lives, you can come up with plenty of ideas that are sure to work out. If you want to go with an unforgettable experience that they can share with friends, Paranoia Quest has a range of immersive escape room options to choose from. Visit our website and book an escape room today!