Magnetic Clock Craft

August 27, 2010 by Stacie Nelson

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure.

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

I’ve always wanted a Judy Clock but never wanted to spend the money to buy one! While the minute and hour hands of this clock don’t move together like a Judy Clock, it is very inexpensive to make! I found the craft foam for $1 (and only used a few sheets of it) at Dollar Tree, and I cut-up some old business magnets I already had.

You need:
Craft foam
Scissors
Lid (or other circle template)
Pencil
Permanent marker
Magnets

1. Trace twelve circles on craft foam. Draw an hour and a minute hand. Cut out.

2. Write the numbers from one to twelve on the circles with a permanent marker.

3. Glue a magnet on the back of each circle and hand.

4. Arrange in a clock shape on a cookie sheet or other magnetic surface.

We read through Eric Carle’s The Grouchy Ladybug. I would stop on each page after I read the time and allow the girls to match the time on our magnetic clock to the time in the book. This was great for visual matching skills and a basic introduction to time (by the hour).

When you’re done practicing and exploring, the pieces are easily stored in a small plastic bag or other container!

Comments

The Activity Mom says:

August 27, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Great idea! Love it!

Jennifer @ The Toy Box Years says:

August 27, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Oh I LOVE this idea!!! Guess what I'm adding to our activities next week!!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Holly says:

August 27, 2010 at 5:44 pm

I love that! I think I'll try that soon.

Prairie Cate says:

August 30, 2010 at 2:01 am

Really good idea, esp. since I've always hated the Grouchy Ladybug book–too freaking repetitive. Now it has a purpose!

Katie's Nesting Spot says:

August 31, 2010 at 9:15 pm

Great idea, I love how she wrote the numbers. It makes it so much more personal and meaningful than a clock you purchase to learn with.

Anne says:

August 31, 2010 at 10:55 pm

very cute. Target has foam clocks in their dollar section if you have one around.

Infant Bibliophile says:

September 1, 2010 at 1:04 am

Cute idea! I don't know if we have ready the Grouchy Ladybug… maybe on the floor of the library, but I can't remember it, so I am going to have to put it on my reread list!

Carolyn says:

July 1, 2011 at 7:14 am

Magnetic clock an excellent idea. Children still need to be able to tell the time, even if they have digital clocks. Very good.