Time Sensory Bin + Free Printable Matching Game

Telling Time Sensory Bin

Time telling has never been a favorite in my house or my classrooms. “All right kiddos, today we’re gonna be practicing telling time.” “Eww, no (insert eye rolls and groaning). Yes, teaching time can be boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Pairing this tough skill with a fun game and something to touch can instantly get your little learners excited. Check out some additional sensory bin activities your students will love.

Sensory bins are one of early educators biggest secrets. Learning different objectives, using different senses, calming and engaging children, as well as practicing social skills make sensory bins are no brainer. Take a look at other great materials that can be used in sensory bins.

How Do I Prepare the Telling Time Sensory Bin?

You are going to be so happy to see that this activity is cheap and easy to make. Plus once you have a sensory bin, you can switch it out to focus on different concepts, holidays, or studies.

Materials You Will Need for the Time Sensory Bin:

• Paper or cardstock
• Laminating materials
• Scissors
• Sensory bin (container based on preference)
• Rice or other sensory material

You can chose the bin or container size to fit your needs. If this is being made for a classroom, a sand or water table could be used. For more individual play, a shoe box size container could also work.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Time Sensory Bin:

Step One:

Start by printing out the template on either paper or cardstock. For more durable, long lasting time cards, laminate the pieces. Cut with scissors or a paper cutter.

Step Two:

Fill in the sensory container with the material of your choice. Need an idea of how to dye rice for the bin? We got you.

Vinegar or hand sanitizer can be used to dye rice. Hand sanitizer is a personal favorite because it dries quickly and the colors are very vibrant.

I put 3 cups of rice into each of the four zip top bags. Then, I pumped the hand sanitizer 10 times into each bag on top of the rice.

Next, I added the food coloring directly into the little puddle of hand sanitizer in each bag. More food coloring= darker colors.

I sealed up the bags squeezing the extra air out and squished the rice around until it was completely coated in the food coloring. It took 1-2 minutes per bag. Then I opened up the bags and set them on the counter to dry out overnight. When I’ve had more space, I lay the rice out in a cake pan to dry quicker.

Step Three:

To assemble the time sensory bin, pour the rice into your chosen bin in stripes. 

Benefits of the Time Sensory Bin:

There are so many ways that your child can benefit from the time telling sensory bin. Below are a few examples:

• Math concepts: One of the main benefits of the Time Telling Sensory Bin is telling time by the hour and minutes. Children can also learn how to add and subtract minutes or hours, as well as skip counting and understanding fractions. Telling time also coincides with sequences of events and a daily schedule.
• Exploring senses: Children will learn more about their senses when using sensory bins. What does the rice feel like? Describe it to me. Can you tell me about the smell of the rice. What colors do you see? What does it sound like when the rice drops into the bin? This is also a great opportunity to develop language skills.
• Language development: When using the sensory bin, encourage students to talk about what they are doing and how they use the hands on the clocks to tell time. Children also have an opportunity to talk to their peers or an adult and work on social conversation.

My Sensory Bin is Made. Now What?

Randomly scatter the clock cards throughout the sensory bin.

Have you child search through the sensory bin to find all the matches. Take turns or find a friends to play with. This activity can be used as a small group activity, one-on-one, in a math center, and even during a rainy day.

How Else Can I Use the Time Sensory Bin?

• Show your children the difference between an analog and digital clock. They both tell the same time, but look very different. Let them experiment with a plastic analog clock. Show them how the hands move and what they mean. Students can make their own clocks with a paper plate and arrow shapes.
• Give the students just the picture cards of the analog clocks with the displayed time. Have them write the time with numbers on an index card or post it note. You can also switch it and write the time and have your child draw the hands on an analog clock.
• Play a game as a class or small group where children have to walk around the room and find the match to their time card.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are frequently asked questions about the Telling Time Sensory Bin: