Activities

Can You Help Elf on the Shelf Flee This Festive Escape Room?

Chippewa Valley Museum, Tactical Escape 101 partner for holiday fun at Schlegelmilch House

Kalyn Cronk |

WHAT MISCHIEF IS HE UP TO? The Elf on the Shelf is trapped at the Schlegelmilch House as part of a holiday-themed escape room experience.
WHAT MISCHIEF IS HE UP TO? The Elf on the Shelf is trapped at the Schlegelmilch House as part of a holiday-themed escape room experience.

If you or your kiddos grew up with Elf on the Shelf, you know just how much fun it is to try to find it every morning during the holiday season. Well, one of those miniature toys has managed to get wrapped in a Christmas present – but which one? Find this persnickety elf and his friends in time for Christmas morning in a festive escape room experience. 

This winter, the Chippewa Valley Museum has partnered with Tactical Escape 101 to offer a Christmas Capers Escape Room at the historic Schlegelmilch House on South Farwell Street in downtown Eau Claire, which was built in 1871.

This holiday-themed escape room will run every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Nov. 13 to Jan. 22, but will be open daily from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2. 

“The Schlegelmilch House is beautiful without being decorated for the holidays,” said Rachel Meyer, development manager for the Chippewa Valley Museum in a media release. “The parlors are all ready for the holidays, and you wouldn’t even know those decorations are clues to solve the puzzle.”

Reservations for the escape room must be made in advance at TacticalEscape101.com. Each group should have two to 10 players of all ages, but children must be accompanied by a minimum of two adults. It costs $100 for the first two to four players and an additional $25 for each player after that. 

“It’s exciting to bring a family-friendly escape (room) to downtown Eau Claire during our busiest season,” said Jennifer Fonfara, co-owner of Tactical Escape.


Reservations must be made in advance online. This escape room is for two-10 players. The cost is $100 for two to four players, additional players $25 each. All ages welcomed, but children must be accompanied by adults. Two adult minimum.