Sand Timers for Children

The Benefits of Sand Timers for Children

There’s something timeless about the gentle flow of sand through an hourglass. For many neurodiverse children — including those with ADHD, autism, and sensory processing differences — sand timers can be more than just a visual curiosity. They can become powerful tools for emotional regulation and time awareness. And the calming visual nature and clear structure of a sand timer can benefit all children — helping them develop patience and independence in their daily routines.

Here’s why sand timers can be so beneficial:

1. Visually captivating and calming

Sand timers are beautiful, tactile, and engaging. The soft flow of coloured sand can capture a child’s attention and make the concept of time visible. For children who find abstract concepts hard to grasp, seeing time literally “run out” can be both fascinating and soothing. This visual and sensory appeal encourages engagement with time-based activities in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

2. Shifts the pressure away from the parent

Instead of parents constantly reminding or nagging — “Five more minutes!” — the sand timer becomes the neutral “timekeeper.” This helps diffuse tension and removes emotional pressure from parent–child interactions. The sand timer becomes the “boss of time,” allowing the parent to step back and the child to feel more in control. This can make transitions smoother and less confrontational for everyone involved.

3. Builds a real sense of time passing

For many neurodiverse children, time can feel abstract or inconsistent — five minutes can feel like forever or disappear in an instant. Watching sand flow through a timer helps children see and feel how long things take. Over time, this builds cognitive awareness and helps them develop a more accurate internal sense of timing, which supports executive functioning and daily routines.

4. Turns resistance into motivation

Sand timers can transform “non-compliance” into a game. Challenges like “Can you get your shoes on before the timer runs out?” or “Can you tidy up faster than last time?” turn what could be a power struggle into a fun and self-motivating activity. Over time, this builds positive associations with transitions and boosts a child’s sense of achievement.

‍

Though particularly powerful for neurodiverse children, sand timers can support all tamariki in understanding time, managing emotions, and building self-regulation — skills that benefit them far beyond childhood. They turn routines into play and give children a visual, hands-on way to feel in control of their own time.

There are many options available in New Zealand, including Sensory Sam, The OT Store, or try making your own sand timer.

‍