Teaching the concept of time to young children has always had the stigma of a challenging endeavor. However, by using a variety of hands-on resources and visual reminders, the challenge can be made more enjoyable for both the teacher and students. We’ve put together some fun and engaging time activities and resources to make ‘teaching time’ a favourite pastime!
Teaching Time – 14 Activities and Resources
(1) Block Clock
Use LEGO, Duplo or cheap blocks to show the five minutes between each number on the face of a clock. Creating the face on a large piece of paper allows for the numbers to be written and a hands-on activity is created! Have kids create their own clock in small groups.
Alternatively, create it as a whole class and then have students create different times on the clock.
(2) Paper Plate Clock
Use our 12 Hour Clock Template to create a paper plate clock with a split pin holding it all together.
A great hands-on activity that children can use again and again. Children can use their paper plate clock as a visual reminder to help when completing other time-related activities.
(3) Polygon Puzzle
Use this fun polygon puzzle when teaching 12 hour and 24 hour time to your older students!
Print out our Polygon Puzzle on coloured paper and back it on cardboard for an activity you can use again and again!
(4) Time Activity Cards
Just take a look at this cute When Does It Happen? – Sorting Activity! These event cards can be printed on thick card, cut out and then grouped into Morning, Afternoon and Evening activities!
(5) Time Dominoes
Use our Time Dominoes in small groups or as a whole class activity. Students need to match the correct analogue time with its digital version.
This domino activity is also available in five-minute intervals.
(6) Classroom Clock Flower Display
A cute visual reminder for children when reading the time. Print, back on cardboard and use our Classroom Clock Flower Display around your classroom clock.
(7) Time Number Line
Print, cut and back our time number line. This resource is a great visual guide when teaching about time and working with intervals.
The number line shows times from 11:45 – 1:10, which can be used when adding or subtracting any time intervals.
(8) Time Bingo
Bingo is always a favourite activity in the classroom!
We have a range of Time Bingo Cards suited to the needs of your students, including this Telling Time Bingo Cards to the Half Hour and Quarter To and Past.
(9) Create a Watch
Using cardboard and a split pin, have students create their very own watch they can wear in class.
You may like to back each piece to make sure it lasts a little longer. They can move the hands on their own watch to create different times. So much fun!
(10) Digital Clock Template
Print and laminate our Digital Clock Template. Use velcro dots to easily change the numbers and time on the clock.
Why not stick it underneath your classroom clock so students can easily see the analogue and digital time?
(11) Telling the Time Poster
Print our Telling the Time Poster on A3 and back onto cardboard for a simple visual reminder of how to tell the time.
(12) Time Machine Match-Up
Us this Time Machine Match-Up Activity to consolidate your students’ knowledge of time to the hour, half-hour and to the quarter-hour.
Why not use this activity in a small group rotation, or as an extension activity for your more able little learners?
(13) When Does it Happen?
If your students prefer, we also have the When Does It Happen? Worksheet! Not only can your students colour and cut out each event and order them for each time of the day, but they can also create some of their own events to add to the Morning, Afternoon, or Evening columns.
(14) Telling the Time Past and To
Finally, this simple Telling the Time ‘To’ and ‘Past’ Poster is a must-have resource for any classroom!
We hope you have a great ‘time’ with these Time activities and resources!
Comment below to share your favourite time activity.
Thanks. The polygon game was a hit in my room
Great! Thanks for your lovely feedback Carole!
Thank you, the resources are truly great, and we are using them! Russell Lindsay
Hey Russel, thank you for your lovely feedback. We are glad to hear you are enjoying these resources.