Telling the Time to the Hour (O’clock): Games & Worksheet
Telling the time to the hour is the first clock skill: when the long hand points straight up to 12, it is something o’clock, and the short hand shows which hour.
🕒 Play the telling the time: o’clock game 🖨️ Printable worksheet
Tricks that make it easier
- Long hand on 12 means o’clock.
- The short hand points to the hour.
- Practise with times from your day: 8 o’clock breakfast, 3 o’clock home time.
Try these
Answer
11:00Answer
3:30Answer
10:00Common mistakes
- Mixing up the hour hand and the minute hand.
- Reading the next hour too early when the short hand is just past a number.
- Forgetting that each number means 5 minutes, not 1.
A five-day practice plan
| Day | What to do (10 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Play Telling Time on this skill for 5–10 minutes. Read the explanation after every mistake. |
| Day 2 | Learn one trick from this page and use it out loud while you play. |
| Day 3 | Print the worksheet and try it without help. Mark it with the answer key together. |
| Day 4 | Play again and try to beat your personal best score or get three stars. |
| Day 5 | Mix it up: try the ⏱️ Timed test, or ask your child to explain the skill to you in their own words. |
Suits Senior Infants and 1st Class.
Frequently asked questions
Which hand shows the hour?
The short hand shows the hour, and the long hand shows the minutes.
How can I help my child learn to tell the time?
Talk about times during the day, use an analogue clock at home, and practise little and often with the clock game and printable worksheets.
What age do children learn to tell the time?
Most children learn o’clock and half past around ages 5 to 7, quarter past and to around 6 to 7, and 5-minute times around 7 to 8.