Child-friendly hourlgass timer

[NorthernPixie]

I'm looking to buy some sort of timer - and an hourglass came to mind - that doesn't make any noise at the end of the time. We're struggling with naps - sometimes she does, sometimes she chooses 'quiet resting time' - and in case she does fall asleep I don't want a bell or a ringer waking her up! Any idea where I could get one that's kid-friendly (i.e. not $100+ made of glass and fancy wood or metal). Ideally I could get it in Canada, but US sources would be good too. Something that's 60 minutes long would be ideal. Thanks.

[curiouscanadian]

I googled "make an hourglass" and got a couple sites for making them out of plastic bottles here and here. They'd be cheap and kid-friendly. Only catch is you'd probably have to do some sort of modification to make the throat between them smaller if you want it to last as long an hour. Maybe just a piece of cardboard with a small hole between the two bottles? Hope that helps!

[Learning_Mum]

Could you maybe just put on an hour long CD for her? That way when it stops it wouldn't wake her up. Might make her feel a bit sleepy too.

[eepster]

Why not just use a digital clock? I often tell DS we can XYZ when the clock says x:xx time, and point to the plain old digital clock next to the bed.

[annettemarie]

I am thinking that I have seen what you are describing in some elementary/early childhood catalogs. Let me peek.

[eepster]

You could try something like this goo tube,

http://www.amazon.com/American-Scien...ref=pd_sbs_t_6

The main problem with this one is it only lasts 10 minutes, but you can probably find a slower one some where.

[annettemarie]

I looked and all the ones in the catalog were 1-10 minutes. I like the digital clock idea.

[NorthernPixie]

I was thinking I'd teach her to read a digital clock. Or modify a face clock with coloured hands or something. She's 2.5 so I'm not sure what would work. I did see one with a stop light like this but I'm not sure if that's overkill. Teaching her to tell time would be cheaper! I'm trying to give her autonomy with her need for sleep yet providing a good opportunity for it to happen because most days she needs it. Sigh. Toddlers.

Thanks for all the other good ideas. MDC is full of those.

[sebandg'smama]

Do you have a Chapters book store near you?

I was just at Chapters last night and in the gift section they had hourglasses. Some large ones too.

-Melanie

[annethcz]

We use these at the school I work at, and I really like them:
http://www.timetimer.com/products/products.php