The other day, I was chatting with a friend over coffee. She mentioned her little one kept asking, “Is it lunchtime yet?”—but had no idea what the clock actually said.
I totally get it. Telling time can be tricky for kids.
That’s exactly why I put together a few simple worksheets and activities around the idea of “Clock and Time.” Nothing too fancy—just things that make sense to kids. Things they can touch, color, and do.
Here’s what worked really well in my classroom.
1. Cut and Paste Clock Craft
We started with scissors and glue—because that alone gets them excited.
Each child got clock parts: numbers and a blank clock face.
Their task? Put the numbers in the right places.
Some got it right on the first try. Others flipped the numbers or squished everything on one side. That’s okay. They corrected themselves once we talked it through.
It became less about being perfect, and more about understanding how a clock feels when it looks right.
2. Color the Clock
3. Pick the Right Time
We flipped the idea:
This time, each clock showed a specific time.
And they had to choose the correct written time from three options.
It gave them a small challenge—but not so hard that they froze. Plus, multiple choice means they get to think before answering.
4. Draw the Hour and Minute Hands
5. Before and After an Hour
- What time will it be one hour later?
- What was the time an hour ago?
6. How Long Does It Take?
- Brushing teeth
- Drawing a picture
- Dancing
- Sleeping
- Eating dinner
Why I Think These Activities Helped
When kids do things—cutting, coloring, choosing—they learn better.
They’re not just hearing about time. They’re seeing it. Feeling it. Sometimes getting it wrong and fixing it.
That’s where the learning happens.
If you’re teaching your child or students about clocks and time, try mixing these kinds of activities in. Let them color outside the lines a little. Let them think it through at their pace.
Eventually, they’ll stop asking you what time it is—and start telling you.
Downloadable PDF: Your Time Toolkit
Before you go, make sure to download the PDF with all the worksheets mentioned here. Consider this your toolkit for unlocking the secrets of time!