Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you are looking for the best teaching clocks to help teach your child time, this post could help you buy one. Teaching a child about time can be a tricky affair, but they pick the concept of time interactively with the teaching clocks. Learning about time concepts also helps instill time management skills in the early stages. Several varieties are available online, from manual alarm clocks, digital ones to clocks with fun faces, patterns, and designs.
As children’s neural connections grow, they can slowly understand concepts, such as time. This is a sign that they are intellectually growing. From beginning to understand what is hot and cold to losing interest in peek-a-boo, your child is developing to grasp difficult concepts.
Learning such concepts with a loved one, a parent, or a teacher is more enjoyable. So, look no further, for we have curated some of the best-selling, highly reviewed clocks here. Read on to pick the best one for your child.
Top Picks
13 Best Teaching Clocks Of 2024
1. Best For Student Desk:Learning Resources Big Time Student Clock
This fun, color-coded clock with bright blue (minute) and red (hour) hands over a vibrant yellow background can attract almost every child’s attention. It has blue minute marks and numbers counting the 60-minute cycle, with the blue minute hand moving in one-minute increments. The hour hand moves automatically when the minute hand is moved manually, displaying the correct time and facilitating realistic practice. The toddler clock for educational purposes measures 5.9 x 5.1 x 1.4 inches and can easily fit on a student desk. It is an ideal gift for kids aged five years and up as it resembles the original design of a clock.
Pros
- Large prints for better viewing
- Teaches children about analog time reading
- Comes with an activity guide
- Includes a removable stand
- Lays the foundation in STEM learning
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Hour hand may not move accurately
2. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: Melissa & Doug Turn And Tell Clock
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 2,324 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
Melissa & Doug, a trusted brand, has got it right with this learning clock. If you are just about to give your children the introductory lesson on time, then this clock with its 13 double-sided time cards will be of great use during practice tests. The clock’s hands rotate with a gentle click as they mark off the minutes, while a hideaway digital clock automatically changes to match the time in the analog clock. The numbers are printed in red to match the hour hand, while the blue ones match the minute hand. This teaching clock is recommended for children aged between four and seven years and is suitable for homeschooling settings as well. Here is a review cum testing video about this toddler clock to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
- Promotes hands-on practice and hand-eye coordination
- Encourages independent learning
- Develops number recognition
- Improves STEM skills
Cons
- Hands may be difficult to move
- May be small in size
"The reversible time cards let my daughter put her time-telling skills to the test. The overlapping display of the hour and minute markings can be a bit challenging at the onset. Nevertheless, it is a decent product."
Did you know?3. Best Small-Sized: Wise Hedgehog Telling Time Practice Learning Clock
Teach your child to read the time accurately with the help of the Wise Hedgehog learning clock. It features minute and hour markers, three hands, and 15-minute time division labeling. In addition, it has a resting stand to conveniently place the clock on the desk and a gear winder to adjust the hours and minutes hands. Its perfect size makes it easy to carry and grab for tiny hands.
Pros
- Comes with a free ebook
- Easily readable numbers
- Mimics real clock movements
- Bright colors
Cons
- Seconds hand may pop off sometimes
"The inclusion of the second's hand is what makes this learner's clock stand out. Although the quality could have been better, this minor flaw does not override its merits. It has a child-friendly, easy-to-read display, is compact, and features digits up to 59 for better understanding."
4. Best For Fine Motor Skills: Coogam Wooden Shape Color Sorting Clock
Kids learn better in a conducive environment and when they have engaging learning resources. The Coogam wooden shape color sorting clock is an apt tool to keep them engaged while improving time awareness. It is entertaining and is designed to introduce children to shapes and colors. This educational clock comes with 12 shaped number pieces and 12 removable blocks.
Pros
- Promotes fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and logical thinking
- Painted with child-safe paints
- Made of 100% natural wood
- Can be played as a puzzle block to teach the concept of time
Cons
- Small pieces may pose a choking hazard
- May not be sturdy enough
"I zeroed down on this educational clock for its versatility. It has taught my child about different shapes, colors, and time-telling. I wish the hands were a little less stiff for tiny fingers to maneuver easily. However, the tool deserves special mention for having labeled hour's and minute's hands for easy recognition."
5. Best For Hanging On Walls: Easy Read Time Teacher Wall Clock
The EasyRead Time Teacher wall clock is an analog clock that you can use to help your children improve their time recognition ability in two simple steps. Step 1 is to read the number at the end of the short hand, which tells the hour, and step 2 is to read the number at the end of the long hand, which tells the minutes. Now, all they have to do is put the two numbers together and read them aloud to tell time. Hang it on the wall and check with them occasionally on what time it is. Check out this video to learn more about the product.
Pros
- Numbers in the minutes section are labeled, making it easier for children to understand time
- Silent operation
- Helps children make plans independently
- Can be hanged on walls
Cons
- May require frequent readjustment of the minute hand
- Batteries may drain quickly
"Besides educating my child about time, the clock's colorful design adds an aesthetic charm to the room's decor. The 24-hour format markings are a bit oddly placed. However, this has not interfered with my child's learning journey. In addition, the contrasting effect of black hands against a white dial ensures better readability."
6. Best Engaging: Pidoko Kids All About Today Calendar Board
If your child is an early learner, and you wish to expand their horizons beyond telling time, then this Pidoko Kids All About Today Calendar Board is your best bet. By moving the red sliders, your child will be able to tell months, dates, the four seasons, weather, and time. This engaging calendar cum toddler clock board is ideal for children aged three years and up and can help improve math skills and concepts.
Pros
- Made of handcrafted, sturdy wood and child-safe paints
- Moving the sliders can help build visual and sensory relationships with numbers
- Can be used for interactive play sessions
- Promotes hands-on practice
- Vibrant colors to attract children’s attention
Cons
- Hands may work only while lying flat
- Sliders may not be easy to move
"The calendar-cum-clock toy has been a fun purchase for my munchkin. It has been resourceful in familiarizing my child with time-telling, dates, months, and the weather. The sliders may seem flimsy; however, handling them mindfully can help overcome this minor inconvenience."
Trivia7. Best Adorable: The Learning Journey Telly The Teaching Time Clock
As a parent, you are always trying to find ways to spark your children’s creativity and curiosity. Get them curious about the concept of time with this fun Telly The Teaching Time Clock. To begin with, Telly clock looks adorable in baby pink and teaches time in five-minute increments when its hands are moved manually. For practice tests, Telly asks your child to move the hands to match the digital time displayed on its LCD screen. It is safety-tested and recommended for children aged three years and up.
Pros
- Encourages interactive group play
- Can be used as a night light
- Comes with two play modes for learning to tell the time in a fun way
- Complies with international safety standards
Cons
- May not hold your child’s interest for long
- Children may find it difficult to move the hands of the clock
"I love this teaching clock for its bright colors and inviting display with a pleasant cartoon face. These features keep my child hooked to the clock as I teach him. It does feel a bit flimsy. Nonetheless, its nightlight feature and dual quiz modes make the product a hit."
8. Best Colorful:Bernhard Colorful Kids Wall Clock
The Bernhard wall clock comes with a lot of features as it is designed uniquely with four color-coded quadrants where each quadrant represents 15 minutes. The quadrants are labeled, such as “O’clock,” “quarter past,” “half past,” and “quarter to” to help your child understand the concept of telling the time. In addition, the clock features minute and hour markers and functional minute, seconds, and hour hands. The three hands of this educational clock have silent quartz movements to learn in a quiet environment.
Pros
- Attractive and colorful toddler clock
- Large numbers for easy recognition
- Wall-mounting style
- Easy-operating battery compartment
Cons
- Hour hand may overlap with the minute hand occasionally
- Battery may exhaust sooner than expected
"Incorporating this clock into my homeschooling sessions has made teaching my children about time easier. It lacks illumination, but its innovative display makes up for this. The labeled and color-coded quarter hours allow kids to understand time-telling better."
9. Best With Day And Night Images: Teacher’s Choice Night & Day Demonstration Teaching Clock
Let your child practice reading time accurately with the Teacher’s Choice teaching clock. The high-quality clock features minute and hour markers and is available in a 12-hour format. It comes with minute and hour hands and changing day and night images to differentiate between AM and PM. In addition, it has a turning knob at the rear side of the clock for adjusting the minute and hour hands to demonstrate a specific time when teaching. Further, the quality-tested toddler clock comes with a mounting slot and a stand to rest on your child’s desk.
Pros
- Easy-to-read large numbers
- Manual operation
- Convenient to operate
- Color-coordinated minute and hour hands
Cons
- Does not function like a regular clock
- Stand may be slightly flimsy
"What I like the most about this teaching clock is its easily discernible numbers and simple design. While getting used to the color coding of the hands did take some time, the device proved to be an educational tool. Plus, it is sturdy enough to handle regular play."
10. Best With Light Button: Tinload Analog Alarm Clock For Kids
Check out this Tinload Analog Alarm Clock For Kids. It has a light button that automatically turns off after six seconds, and a knob on the back helps you set the alarm time. Hold the top button down to snooze for five minutes or to light up the clock. The beep alarm sound of this toddler clock increases in volume with faster beeps. The easy-to-read numerical representation and vibrant colors will catch your child’s attention and child-friendly design promote quick learning.
Pros
- Printed hour and minute numbers on the clock face make it easier for children to know what time it is
- Suitable for children who are yet to learn how to tell the time
- Relies on two simple steps to tell the time
- Can be used as a desktop clock
Cons
- Alkaline batteries may damage the mechanisms of the clock
- Some may find the clock to be small for teaching purposes
"Here's what I like about this clock—it doubles as an alarm clock, serves as a subtle nightlight, and ensures silent operation with its non-ticking design. Its simple design makes it an effective educational tool, while the alarm feature has helped my child become more responsible."
11. Best Magnetic: Didax Magnetic Demonstration Clock
The Didax magnetic demonstration clock is available in analog design and is suitable for time learning of children between 72 and 108 months. Suitable for grades between one and four, this toddler clock is lightweight and big enough for children to identify and test time demonstrations. It requires batteries to run, which need to be purchased separately.
Pros
- Great for classroom learning
- Can demonstrate for four to five children at a go
- Sturdy make
- Brightly colored time-teaching clock
Cons
- Hands need to be moved separately
"I recommend this teaching aid for its magnetic back. It helps demonstrate the time without covering the clock's surface with the hands, ensuring proper visibility. The magnetic mechanism also adds an element of magic to keep little eyes engaged in learning how a clock works. A satisfying purchase."
12. Best For Bilingual Learning: Fat Brain Toys Bilingual Learning Clock
The friendly-faced clock has large numbers and detailing to help children read the time easily. The clock tells time as your child moves its hands. This interactive clock is made of high-quality materials and teaches the time in English and Spanish for better understanding and convenience. The tried-and-tested product measures 9×8.25x4in and runs on three AA batteries.
Pros
- Helps teach numbers, shapes, and colors
- Two volume levels
- Interactive design for engaging time comprehension
- Includes a quiz
- Helps improve fine motor skills
Cons
- Sound may be annoying to some
"This toy clock is perfect for my toddlers. It not only serves as a basic teaching device but also provides entertainment. Interactive features like sounds, attractive lights, and a built-in quiz feature make it engaging for my child. Also, the hoop-equipped minute's hand allows easy maneuverability."
13. Best Analog: ZazzyKid Time Learning Analog Clock For Kids
The ZazzyKid time learning clock for children is one of the best options available under analog clocks. It comes in a pack of five and accompanies five separate erasable markers. Each analog learning clock has a size dimension of 7×8 in and is suitable for time and mathematical learning of children between five and seven years. The toddler clock suits preschoolers, homeschool settings, and early elementary students and weighs 9.6 oz.
Pros
- Great tool for interactive learning
- Perfect tool for classroom teaching
- Made of durable cardboard
- Easy to use
- Promotes spatial learning and math skills
- Write-and-wipe surface for practice
Cons
- Some information may be confusing for toddlers
"This clock toy is an interesting way to challenge children and test their time-telling skills. The display of 12-hour and 24-hour formats can be a bit overwhelming for little minds to grasp simultaneously. Nevertheless, it is an effective teaching tool, providing hands-on learning opportunities."
How To Choose The Right Teaching Clock?
So, how does one pick the ideal teaching clock? Well, here are a few pointers that would help.
- If it is a cardboard or wooden board, ensure the edges are smooth.
- Avoid clocks made of toxic and flimsy materials.
- Ensure that the numbers are big and printed in bright colors.
- Don’t over complicate the learning process by buying a teaching clock that has too many new concepts to learn about, especially if your child is a primary learner.
- Try to pick a teaching clock that is interactive, entertaining, and features a musical fun mode as well so that your kid can enjoy while learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age can I introduce teaching clocks to my child?
Most teaching clocks can be introduced to children aged four to six years.
2. Is it tricky to teach children about time?
Teaching the concept of time with a real clock could be boring, impractical, unsafe, and difficult. That’s where teaching clocks come into the picture. These colorful clock toys can be easily handled and maneuvered by children, and some are equipped with time-based fun activities for better learning.
3. How should I introduce students to clocks?
Encourage your little ones to touch and toy around with the minute and hour hands of teaching clocks. These clocks can facilitate tactile or hands-on learning, and the large numbers and bold colors make them more attractive to children.
4. How should I teach children about digital and analog clocks?
One step at a time. Teach them about analog clocks first and then the digital ones. Also, opt for teaching clocks with analog and digital displays and activities.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Teaching a child about time could be a tough task. To make things easier for you, our in-house product reviewer, Wedetso Chirhah, brings you this list of the best teaching clocks. He browsed through several trusted e-commerce sites and multiple user reviews to compile this list. These clocks are available in various designs and sizes and are sure to enthuse your child to learn about time concepts. Wedetso also discusses some important factors to consider before making a selection.
The Bottom Line
The best teaching clocks for kids can be of great help when teaching children about the concept of time and how to read a clock. The time-teaching clocks listed here can make your task easier as they are colorful and well-designed, offering lots of features and fun while learning. It includes the interactive Melissa & Doug Turn And Tell Clock, the vibrant Easy Read Time Teacher Wall Clock, and clocks like Learnings Resources Big Time Student Clock, with large, easy-to-read numbers. When choosing one, ensure it is made of safe materials that are not harmful to your child or the environment, and make sure it has rounded edges.
Infographic: How To Teach Your Child To Tell The Time?
The concept of time may be challenging for children to grasp, but with practice, your child may tell the time correctly. We have compiled some tips in the following infographic that can help in easy time recognition and telling. Check it out! Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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