Time Management Tips for an 80-Minute Escape Room

An 80-minute escape room can feel both exciting and challenging, especially for first-time players. Properly managing your time is key to solving all the puzzles and escaping successfully. Here’s how:

1. Quick Initial Scan (5–10 minutes)

At the start, quickly explore the room and identify obvious clues, locks, and puzzle areas.

Don’t try to solve everything immediately—just take note of what’s available.

• Prioritize Puzzles (30–40 minutes)

• Divide puzzles among teammates based on strengths: logic, observation, or teamwork.

Focus first on puzzles that are likely to unlock other clues or tools.

Keep a mental or written track of solved and unsolved puzzles to avoid repetition.

3. Use Hints Wisely

Hints are available without restriction, so you can always ask staff if you’re stuck.

However, using hints too frequently is not recommended, as this is the moment to test your problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Ask for a small nudge first, rather than the full solution, to preserve the challenge and fun.

4. Regular Checkpoints (every 15–20 minutes)

Pause briefly to reassess progress and ensure the team is on track.

If a puzzle is taking too long, leave it temporarily and return later with a fresh perspective.

5. Last-Minute Push (last 10–15 minutes)

As time runs short, focus on connecting the remaining clues and completing unfinished puzzles.

Stay calm—panic wastes valuable minutes.

Key Takeaway: Time management is not about rushing—it’s about staying organized, working as a team, and knowing when to challenge yourselves versus when to seek guidance. With practice, you’ll learn how to pace yourself, tackle tricky puzzles confidently, and enjoy every minute of the escape room adventure.