Explore our catalogue of award-winning activities and games
Busy Things hosts over 1600 curriculum-linked activities and games for early years and primary aged children. A school subscription also includes lots of features and tools for teachers that promise to save planning time. Take a free trial to have a proper play or book a demo here.
Countdown timer
Use the corner spanner icon to fully configure the gadget. Options include:
- duration of timer
- choice of completion sound
- heading
- colour
- size and position
- background.
Teaching tips:
Sand timers are a fantastic, visual representation of time and can be used in a multitude of ways. Reduce the need for numerous sand timers of differing durations with our customisable timer.
Try our top tips below for using it effectively in your classroom:
As a transitioning tool: Give children time to transition between activities/areas or time to get back on task. Great for children who might struggle to cope with changes in routine.
Develop time management skills: children can visually see how long there is left to complete a set task/activity therefore developing their sense of independence and responsibility.
Brain breaks: use the timer on a shorter interval for quick brain breaks.
Turn taking: particularly useful for younger children; set the timer to show when children need to share their toy or move onto another activity and let someone else have a go.
Self-regulation: help children relax or calm down whilst watching the sand move through the timer. Or take some time out from feeling overwhelmed.
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To access the whole of Busy Things take a free trial
Start your free trial now!
No payment details required. No obligation to buy.
Unlimited children in a single nurseryYour free trial includes
- access to 1600+ of fun educational activities and games
- Create an area just for your class (school version)
- Track activities and send feedback (school version)
- Customisable games and activities targeting core maths, literacy and phonics skills
- Creative activities working with colours, shapes and sounds
- Busy Code - a whole suite of activities and guides for teaching children how to code
- A custom phonics and maths worksheet maker
- Curriculum-links and activity search
- Pupil timelines - see what your pupils have been doing
- Set assignments and collate results
- Play on desktop computers, laptops and tablets
Schools
Schools have no limit on the number of pupils that can use Busy Things simultaneously.
