Converting units of time: what children learn
In this game children match times in one unit to the same time in another, such as 3 minutes and 180 seconds. Knowing the key facts, 60, 60, 7 and 12, and multiplying or dividing by them, is the whole skill.
Supports part of Common Core 4.MD.A.1: hours, minutes and seconds within one system of units. Weeks, days, years and months are added for practice. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Common Core connection: 4.MD.A.1. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
How to play
Pick a card on the left, then the card on the right that matches it. Each game has 6 pairs. Wrong matches are counted as mistakes, and you get three stars for a game with no mistakes.
Step by step
- Learn the facts. 1 minute = 60 seconds. 1 hour = 60 minutes. 1 week = 7 days. 1 year = 12 months.
- Bigger unit to smaller: multiply. 2 hours = 2 × 60 = 120 minutes.
- Smaller unit to bigger: divide. 35 days = 35 ÷ 7 = 5 weeks.
- Halves and quarters. Half an hour is 30 minutes. A quarter of an hour is 15 minutes.
Worked examples
Example 1: 2 hours
Working: 2 × 60 = 120.
Answer: 120 minutes
Example 2: 4 years
Working: 4 × 12 = 48.
Answer: 48 months
Example 3: 8 weeks
Working: 8 × 7 = 56.
Answer: 56 days
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Using 100 instead of 60 for minutes and seconds. Time is not decimal. There are 60 minutes in an hour.
- Dividing when you should multiply. Ask: will the number of smaller units be bigger? It should be.
- Forgetting that 1 hour 30 minutes is 90 minutes, not 130. Convert the hours first, then add the minutes.
Activities to try at home
- Ask how many minutes until bedtime, then how many seconds.
- Work out how many months old each family member is.
- Count down the days and weeks to a birthday.
Ideas for the classroom
- Students make a conversion poster for units of time.
- Time an activity in seconds and convert it to minutes and seconds.
- Play quick-fire conversion bingo.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a color-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose this game for my learner?
Supports part of Common Core 4.MD.A.1: hours, minutes and seconds within one system of units. Weeks, days, years and months are added for practice. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Why is time harder to convert than meters or grams?
Metric units use 10, 100 and 1,000. Time uses 60, 7 and 12, so children need to know those facts.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it, then pick its partner.