What Time Is It? 9 Tools to Teach Kids About Time

Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

"Mommy, what time is it?" "Mommy, how long till dinner?" "Mommy, are we there yet?" If you end up answering one or more these questions on a daily basis, it might be time to buy your little one a watch. But before investing in a cute timepiece, make sure they know how to use it. From on-the-go games to bedtime reads, these tools are an easy and fun way to teach kids how to tell time.

Source: Shutterstock

Telly the Teaching Time Clock

Telly the Teaching Time Clock

When Telly ($30) says the time, your child must move the hands on the analog clock to correspond. If they are correct, the time will appear digitally. Once they feel comfortable matching the times, switch to quiz mode where they must match the analog time to the digital display.

It's About Time

It's About Time

Stuart J. Murphy takes kids on a 24-hour journey while teaching them about time. Each page of It's About Time ($6) shows an analog clock that corresponds to that time of day. Murphy also includes activities that keep the lessons going long after you finish the book.

Teach Time

Teach Time

Great for on-the-go learning, the Teach Time app ($1) announces the time as kids adjust the hands on the clock.

Rock 'N Learn's Telling Time

Rock 'N Learn's Telling Time

Entertain your children while they learn with Telling Time DVD ($20). Timothy Time and Kuku bird teach kids how to read clocks and watches with catchy songs and surprise quizzes.

Interactive Telling Time Lite

Interactive Telling Time Lite

The Interactive Telling Time Lite app (free) teaches kids how to set and read a clock, use different time notations, and more with fun games and quizzes. While you're teaching time, you can also teach a second language. The app offers 14 foreign language settings to choose from, including Italian, Norwegian, and Chinese.

What Time Is It?

What Time Is It?

Great for family night or mommy-and-me time, What Time is It? ($17) offers an easy and slightly competitive way to learn about time. With four levels of difficulty, the game is a great way to build your child's skills.

Tillie's Time Shop

Tillie's Time Shop

Part ebook and part game, Tillie's Time Shop app ($2) tells a story of the owner of the local clock shop. Each "page" features an activity that teaches kids how to read an assortment of clocks.

Happy Hour Clock

Happy Hour Clock

Hape's Happy Hour puzzle ($15) shows kids the hours and minutes using colorful pieces. It also teaches kids other terms for time, like half past and quarter to the hour.

Tell Time With the Very Busy Spider

Tell Time With the Very Busy Spider

Eric Carle's classic book gets an educational makeover. Tell Time With the Very Busy Spider ($10) comes with a clock that kids must adjust to match the time on the page.