Host Station Ticket Timeline

The station desk has an event timeline, three traveler clues and an altered ticket print. Reconstruct the evidence and find the right ticket code. Collect five named badge digits and use the final sheet. Every clue is on the table; ask the host for one hint at a time.

Before you start

Print one player pack and two record sheets per team. Keep the host answers and all three hint levels with the adult.Keep every clue as a full sheet at one table. Put the final sheet face down until all five results are recorded. Nothing needs cutting, folding or hiding.Give each child a pencil. Choose a reader, recorder and checker, and swap jobs after each clue. Use one team for 2–4 children or two teams for 5–6.

Team

Clue check & hints

1. Time

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

The printed cards are deliberately out of order.

Hint 2

Buy ticket must come first. Work out which action comes directly after it.

Hint 3

The first two actions are Buy ticket, then Check board. Finish the chain and read position 4.

Reveal host answer

The only order is Buy ticket > Check board > Reach gate > Board train. Position 4 carries 5.

2. Traveler

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

No item can belong to two people. Cross out each forbidden pairing.

Hint 2

Sam cannot have two items, so Sam must have Box.

Hint 3

Cross Box off for the other two people. Apply the last NOT rule, then find Eve's item.

Reveal host answer

Eve has Case; Sam has Box; Tao has Bag. Eve's item gives 3.

3. Print

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Hint 1

Compare position 1 with position 1, not with a nearby matching shape.

Hint 2

Position 1 is one difference: circle in A, diamond in B. Mark it once.

Hint 3

Compare the remaining numbered pairs one by one. Add one mark for each unequal pair, then count all your marks.

Reveal host answer

Different positions are 1, 3, 4, 6. There are 4 differences.

4. Fare

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

The missing amount is a return into stock. The cancelled delivery never happened.

Hint 2

Start with 9. Apply +4 then -1. Ignore the cancelled +7.

Hint 3

The known entries leave 12. How much must return to reach the closing stock of 21?

Reveal host answer

Known stock: 9 + 4 - 1 = 12. Closing stock 21 minus 12 gives the missing return 9. Cancelled +7 never arrived.

5. Platform

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Hint 1

Columns A–D run left to right. Rows 1–3 run top to bottom.

Hint 2

The first coordinate C1 means column C, row 1. Its letter is P.

Hint 3

Begin with P, then read D2, A1, A1 in order. Use the complete word's conversion row.

Reveal host answer

C1, D2, A1, A1 reads PASS. The conversion table gives 3.

6. Final

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Keep all five named badge results beside this sheet.

Hint 2

Use C1=Time, C2=Traveler, C3=Print, C4=Fare, C5=Platform.

Hint 3

Each wrong record differs in just one column. Cross out all five wrong records, then copy the complete remaining code.

Reveal host answer

02627

Only Record C matches all five columns. Copy its printed code 02627.

Suggested timeline

3 minutes: Read the story, show the badge record and choose roles.
5 minutes: Solve Time. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
6 minutes: Solve Traveler. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
3 minutes: Solve Print. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Fare. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Platform. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Use the five results on the final sheet.
2 minutes: Read the ending and thank each teammate.

Pause whenever the group needs a break. This is a planning estimate.