Hints, Timing, and Keeping Every Kid Involved

Three free hints, then each extra hint costs 1 minute. Kids accept this as fair.
Hint ladder: give the smallest nudge first. Never hand over the answer on the first ask.
Watch for the quiet kid and hand them the next envelope to open.
Running long? Give a bigger hint at the 45-minute mark. Finishing matters more than the clock.
Too fast? Add an extension: each kid writes one riddle for the next crew.
Celebrate: a certificate with the escape time and hints used turns it into a keepsake.