Spring has officially begun, and we kicked things off with something new that turned out to be an absolute hit: BRKTHROUGH at Metropark Square in Shenandoah.
If you haven’t heard of BRKTHROUGH yet, imagine a high-energy game complex of 40 different challenge rooms where you and your team race against the clock to complete physical, skill-based, and mental challenges. Some rooms require strategy, some require quick reflexes, and some are just plain fun.
For our family of six, the 2-hour experience came to about $200, and I can honestly say it felt like money well spent. Everyone in the family found something they loved.
What Happens When You Arrive
The first thing you’ll do is sign a waiver (you can also do this online ahead of time to save a few minutes). Since we were first-timers, we also received a quick orientation explaining how everything works.
Another thing I appreciated right away: free lockers are available to store your valuables. Trust me... you’ll want to use them. Some of these rooms require a surprising amount of movement, and it’s nice not worrying about bags while you play. Of course I kept my phone with me, because I wanted to capture some photos! (And also, each room has a "clue" built into a QR Code that you can scan with your phone, should you decide to.)
How BRKTHROUGH Works
I've seen some people comparing BRKTHROUGH to an escape room, but in my opinion, it’s actually very different. For one, you’re not locked inside any room (thank goodness!). Instead, you move freely through hallways filled with challenge rooms.
Outside each door is a light indicator:
🟢 Green light – the room is available
🔴 Red light – another team is currently playing inside
When the light is green, you simply walk in and start the challenge.
Each room gives you about 2–3 minutes to complete the task, and then you’re free to move on to another room. You can explore the rooms in any order you like, and there are several hallways filled with different challenge rooms. Some rooms are self-explanatory, while others require you to jump in and figure things out as you go.
Our Favorite Rooms
One of my personal favorites was called Footloose. This one didn’t require a lot of thinking (which was perfect because I wasn’t really in the mood to solve puzzles at that moment). You simply step on the green squares while avoiding the red ones, but the game throws in a few surprises that make it more challenging as it progresses.
Across the facility you’ll find everything from:
- brain puzzles
- shooting hoops
- agility challenges
- rooms filled with giant bouncing balls
- and plenty of unexpected twists
There really is something for everyone, no matter your strengths.
Our Two-Hour Pass Flew By
We purchased a two-hour pass, although I honestly thought there was no way we would stay that long playing challenge games. But let me tell you... we used every single minute.
The system keeps track of your points, so you can see how your team is doing at any time and even check the scoreboard to see how other teams are performing.
Our family of six split into two teams of three, which made things extra fun because we could compare scores and challenge each other throughout the experience.
There were several other groups playing while we were there, but the setup is very comfortable. These were some of the questions I had before visiting, so I wanted to make sure I address them here:
- You don’t have to start at the same time as anyone else.
- You don’t have to finish at the same time.
- You only play inside rooms with your own team. You don't have to worry about sharing a space with strangers. Yes, you'll see other teams coming and going throughout the hallways, but there's no need to interact (although we shared some laughs and smalltalk with some groups along the way, because it's just a fun vibe overall).
Teams can have 2–4 players, so you’re never paired with strangers. That means no awkward moments. It's just you and the people you came with.
Each challenge room allows your team to accumulate up to 100 points, and there’s a scoreboard inside the room so you can see how you’re doing as you play. If a challenge isn’t quite your thing, you can leave the room at any time and move on to something else. And if you find one you really enjoy, you’re welcome to play it again. My team quickly discovered a few rooms we were especially good at, so we circled back and played those multiple times to help rack up our score.
Food On Site
Another nice surprise: BRKTHROUGH has a restaurant inside the facility. You can order things like burgers, pizza, tots, and drinks. You can also enjoy over 20 local and craft beers and wines dispensed from their state-of-the-art self-pour wall. It’s nice to have food available if you want to make a full outing out of the experience!
Location & Reservations
BRKTHROUGH is located at 8885 Metropark Dr, in Metropark Square in Shenandoah, and they are open late every night (all the way to midnight on the weekends, which makes for a really nice date night)!
You can reserve your time online, but if you’re like us and unsure about your schedule, you can also try walking in. We did just that and were lucky enough to grab an open time slot.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for something different to do with your family, especially with older kids or teens, BRKTHROUGH is absolutely worth considering. I'd also recommend this for a Date Night or even a Double Date night! It’s active, engaging, and one of those experiences where everyone walks out smiling (and a little tired).
WoodlandsMommy.com Editor’s Tips Before You Go
Wear sneakers. Some of the challenges require quick movement, jumping, balancing, or agility. Comfortable shoes will make the experience much more enjoyable.
Dress comfortably. This could absolutely be a fun date night activity, but skip anything that needs constant adjusting. Think casual, flexible, and ready to move.
Be open-minded. Some rooms are easy to understand right away, while others take a moment to figure out. Jump in, experiment, and enjoy the process.
Try as many rooms as possible. With 40 different challenge rooms, every experience will be different. Even if something looks tricky, give it a shot. You might surprise yourself.
