How it works
Move the hands
Drag the long hand and the short hand follows, just like a real clock; the time shows in words and digits.
Read the clock
A clock appears and your child picks the right time from four answers.
Set the clock
The time is written in words; your child moves the hands to match it and presses Check.
Reading the time in words
The times between three and four o’clock, every 5 minutes.
| Clock | We say |
|---|---|
| 3:00 | three o’clock |
| 3:05 | five past three |
| 3:10 | ten past three |
| 3:15 | quarter past three |
| 3:20 | twenty past three |
| 3:25 | twenty-five past three |
| 3:30 | half past three |
| 3:35 | twenty-five to four |
| 3:40 | twenty to four |
| 3:45 | quarter to four |
| 3:50 | ten to four |
| 3:55 | five to four |
Tips for parents
Start with o’clock. Once that’s easy, move to half past, then quarter past and quarter to, then every 5 minutes.
The long hand counts in fives. Each number on the clock is 5 minutes; the small numbers around the face help.
The short hand sits between numbers. At half past three it is between 3 and 4, which is what confuses children most.
FAQ
When do kids learn to tell time?
Many children learn o’clock and half past around age 6 (first grade), and quarter hours and 5-minute times around 7 to 8. Every child has their own pace.
What does “twenty to four” mean?
It is 3:40: twenty minutes are left until four o’clock.
Why does the hour hand move when I drag the minute hand?
On a real clock the hour hand moves a little as the minutes pass, so at 3:30 it sits halfway between 3 and 4.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, drag the hands with your finger. On a computer the mouse and the arrow keys work too.