Time sure flies. I remember so vividly tucking that little 6-year-old of mine into bed when it was well before 7:00 pm on a cold winter’s night. His tired little body getting some much needed rest. And Mama too.
But those days, I fear are a thing of the past. With a clock in his room, it was a rookie mistake, really. He glanced at his clock and announced, “I see, I go to bed when the clock starts with 7 and ends with 30.”
Uh -oh.
And it has only escalated since then. Sammy is definitely eager to learn to tell time now, but luckily it’s going to be super fun. But more fun than sneaking him to bed a little early when he’s cranky? Hmmm…
Before we get into all of the fun time-telling activities, you’ll want to grab a copy of my FREE ebook: 20 Deep Learning Activities Found in Everyday Life. There are so many activities found naturally within a day that are completely FULL of learning. They emerge entirely on their own, we just need to slow down to see them. Grab your copy right here:
Here are some of the fun ways I plan on playing with Sam to introduce the idea of telling time. We will go slow and steady, little by little, and I know he will catch on much too quick.
Hopefully you find an idea or two for your little ones!
Story Telling Time Game from What Do We Do All Day? – Combine literacy and math skills, and a little bit of art, for this fun game. Kids can use their problem-solving skills as they learn about telling time.
Hickory Dickory Dock Clock Craft and Time Telling Activity from Still Playing School – Tie the clock learning with a beloved nursery rhyme with this hands-on, movable clock craft.
A Unique Way to Learn How to Tell Time from Carrots Are Orange – Kids explore the concept of time passing with this interesting perspective.
Clock Play Dough Mats from This Reading Mama – Grab the play dough and use it to create movable hands for a printable clock.
Outdoor Clock Activity from Coffee Cups and Crayons – What an easy and fun way to set up a clock in the driveway! Use chalk and a few toys for this moving and learning activity.
Hands-On Clock from The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide – What a clever way to make your own movable clock. Kids can help make it, and then manipulate it to practice telling time.
How to Teach Kids to Tell Time Using the Trampoline from And Next Comes L – Do you have a trampoline at home? If so, this sounds like a full-body way to explore how to tell time!
How to Make a Paper Plate Clock from Mum in the Madhouse – Use a few supplies to make this tried-and-true tool for helping kids learn to tell time!
Making Watches with Toddlers from Red Ted Art – Explore the concept of time while making these handy-dandy “watches” with the kids. Just a few materials are needed to make them.
Printable Telling Time Game from Easy Peasy and Fun – This dice game will be a hit with the kids as they roll, play, and learn to tell time!
Make a Hula Hoop Clock from Creekside Learning – Use a hula hoop and some sticks as the base for a homemade clock on the sidewalk!
Learning to Tell Time with The Very Grouchy Ladybug from Mom to 2 Posh L’il Divas – Link time learning to a classic children’s book from Eric Carle. Kids can create a ladybug clock, and then use it to learn the times written in the book.
Homemade Chalk Clock from Teach Beside Me – Make an easy, colorful clock that kids can use to practice their time-telling abilities. Add in a children’s book to extend the learning.
AM PM Time Telling with Shopkins from Sugar Aunts – Use the kids’ toys to help teach time telling. What a great idea to differentiate between morning and evening activities!
The Hickory Dickory Dock Rock Clock from Danya Banya – Gather some rocks and help the kids create a clock out of rocks. Add in a toy mouse as they act out a nursery rhyme and learn how to tell time.
DIY Clock Magnet from Teach Me Mommy – Make your own clock to put up on the fridge. Kids can practice moving the clock and telling time throughout the day.
Telling Time is Easy Peasy from Teaching Special Thinkers – Use math manipulatives to help children explore the passing of time with this DIY clock.
A Telling Time Review Game from Mom to 2 Posh L’il Divas – What a great idea to use leftover plastic eggs to make this matching game! Kids learn how to match up digital and analog clock times.
DIY Montessori Clock from MontessoriSoul – Use Montessori beads to help children understand the different parts of a clock.
Felt Learning Clock from Crafty Kids at Home – Movable felt pieces are great for little hands as they put together their clocks and manipulate the clock’s hands. Add in a felt mouse to make it even more of a game.
While bedtime will never be the same, these little learning milestones sure are fun to explore with my little ones.
Thank you so much for reading friends. I hope you are having a great week!
xo
Sarah
P.S. Don’t forget to grab your FREE 20 Deep Learning Activities Found in Everyday Life ebook!
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