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These sand timers are excellent for exploratory play. The sand in each of these timers floats upwards! They are an open ended resource that encourages inquiry based learning. Each of the sand timers measure 8.5cm wide x 3cm deep x 13.5cm high. The actual running time of each of the sand timers depends on the temperature of the oil, so the time varies and can be between 2 – 3 minutes.
Our Floating Sand Timers offer a unique twist on the traditional sand timer and are an ideal resource for promoting exploratory and inquiry-based learning in early childhood and primary settings. Rather than sand falling downwards, these innovative timers feature sand that floats upwards, capturing children's curiosity and encouraging them to observe, question, and investigate how and why it works. Each timer is filled with white mineral oil and provides an unpredictable flow time of 2–3 minutes, depending on the temperature of the oil. The movement of the sand supports focused observation and invites discussion, making them perfect for scientific exploration and early STEM activities. Measuring 8.5 cm wide by 3 cm deep by 13.5 cm high, the timers are visually engaging and can be used to develop critical thinking, language, and creativity. As an open-ended teaching tool, these timers help children formulate ideas, test hypotheses, and expand their understanding of cause and effect through hands-on interaction. Suitable for children aged 3+ years under adult supervision, Floating Sand Timers bring a sense of wonder to the classroom while supporting cognitive and social-emotional growth through play and discovery.
Educational Benefits
• Supports inquiry-based learning: Encourages children to ask questions, make predictions and test ideas through observation.
• Promotes scientific thinking: Helps children explore concepts such as time, flow, and temperature variation.
• Enhances language development: Stimulates conversation, descriptive vocabulary, and collaborative learning.
• Encourages creativity and problem-solving: Inspires children to develop new theories and experiment with different ways of thinking.
Classroom Ideas
• Science investigation station: Use timers to prompt predictions and record observations over multiple sessions.
• Creative thinking prompt: Ask students to invent a story or explanation for why the sand floats upward.
• Focus and mindfulness tool: Incorporate into quiet reflection time to help students develop patience and focus.
• Maths and measurement activity: Estimate and compare flow times to introduce early concepts of time and comparison.
Safety & Information
• Recommended Age: Suitable for children aged 3 years and over under adult supervision
• Dimensions: 8.5 cm (W) x 3 cm (D) x 13.5 cm (H)
• Material: Plastic casing filled with white mineral oil
• Contents: Set of floating sand timers
• Use: Not a toy; handle with care. May break if dropped from a height or used with force
• Supervision: Must only be used under adult supervision; store safely when not in use
- A flat rate shipping and handling charge of $14.99 Ex. GST applies to all orders (excluding bulky and oversized items).
- Please note we do not ship internationally.
- Selected items will incur heavy or oversize fee. This fee is set at a maximum of $100 Ex. GST regardless of the number of heavy or oversize items in your cart.
- Please note we do not ship to PO Boxes, Parcel Lockers or Private/Locked Bags.