Hickory Dickory Dock, The Plan Toys Activity Clock!

Darla's Paramount Pick of the week!
Hickory Dickory Dock, The Plan Toys Activity Clock!
Sale Offer Expires Tuesday, November 9, 2010!

Hickory Dickory Dock, The Plan Toys Activity Clock!
By Darla Porcupine

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down!
Hickory Dickory Dock.


Hickory Dickory Dock,
The Porcupine tested the clock.
She had fun and learned.
So a “top pick” it earned!
Hickory Dickory Dock.


In most parts of Canada, including my neck of the woods, Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 8, at just before 2:00 am. This means we “fall back”, or turn our clocks back an hour, and hopefully wake up feeling like we have had an extra hour of sleep.

Porcupines appreciate their beauty rest too.


With time on my mind, I realised that I had yet to share with you a product that I love, the Plan Toys Activity Clock.
Why do I like this toy so much?
It is fun, environmentally friendly, ethically made, and a great teaching tool.
With all of these benefits and more, it would be perfectly preposterous for the Plan Toys Activity Clock to not be one of my Paramount Picks!




The Plan Toys Activity Clock is not a clock that tells time in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a clock that is designed for children to get “hands on” and physically interactive with. It has no “clock gears”, and runs purely on the power of your child’s imagination and fingers, so you will need to have another clock in the room if you want to find out what the time actually is. Having the ability to manipulate the hands of the Activity Clock helps children (and especially those who are primarily kinaesthetic learners, or learn best by “doing”) to understand important concepts such as number recognition, the direction that the hands of a clock move in, and the function of the “short hand” versus the “long hand” on the clock. Moving the hands of the clock is also a great activity for helping younger children to develop fine motor skills.

The Plan Toys Activity Clock comes with twelve activity cards made of sturdy cardboard. Nine of the cards are pre-printed with charming pictures depicting the sort of activities that might typically be a part of a child’s daily routine, such as bed time, tooth brushing, bathing, playing, and eating. Three of the cards have been left blank, allowing parents and children to customize the Activity Clock and include other activities they wish to highlight. There is a small slot at the top of the Activity Clock to display one activity card at a time, and a larger slot at the back of the Activity Clock to hold cards that are not in use.

There are many ways to use the Activity Clock and the cards together for play and learning, and many of these activities would not be possible to do with a clock that operates in the traditional sense.
Parents of younger children may want to change the display card in the Activity Clock and move the hands of the clock as the day progresses. This introduces the idea that certain activities happen in sequence at different times of the day. You might for example, set out the meal card at dinner, with the clock hands showing six o’clock, and then later move the hands to bedtime, and display the bedtime card. When working with an older child, a parent could place the bath card in the holder, and ask the child to move the hands on the clock to the time he has a bath at. Vary the game by setting the time on the clock, and having the child select the card representing the activity she normally does at that hour. Take turns moving the clock hands and choosing the time or activity card. The clock and cards can also be used together to help children anticipate an upcoming activity, and understand when it will happen. Place the “play” card in the clock’s display, and set the hands of the clock to the time of your play date. Then explain to your child that it will be time for his play date when the hands on the standard clock in the room match the hands displayed on the Activity Clock.


You can use the Activity Clock without the activity cards too. Turn the hands to a specific time, and ask your child to tell you what time is displayed, or ask your child to move the hands to a certain time.
Children still learning to recognize numbers will enjoy being asked to “move the yellow hand so that it points to the number two”, and to match things like the wooden numbers from a puzzle to the numbers on the face of the Activity Clock.
Did you know that “Hickory Dickory Dock” actually has 12 verses in total, one to represent each of the 12 hours of the day? Why not read the entire poem out loud, and have your child move the hands of the Activity Clock as you progress through the verses?

Of course, I can’t forget to mention that the Plan Toys Activity Clock is sure fun for free play too. I am amazed by the complex stories and games children are able to develop when they are provided with “real world” toys to use as props.


The Plan Toys Activity Clock is made from rubber wood trees that are no longer able to produce latex, and so would otherwise be burned. The paint used on the Activity Clock is water based and non-toxic, and the activity cards are printed using soy and water based inks. The Activity Clock is recommended for use by children ages four to eight, and is not intended for use by children under the age of three. It retails for $36.50.
Because it is positively packed with possibilities for play and learning, and available at a price that is pleasing, it would be paradoxical if I didn’t select the Plan Toys Activity Clock as one of my Paramount Picks!

PS: Be sure to check out Theodore’s Blog! He will share with you some ideas from the Ape 2 Zebra Kitchen for a “Hickory Dickory Dock, Plan Toys Activity Clock” themed Yubo lunch to pack. You can enjoy the food fun at home too, maybe for breakfast this Sunday as you turn your clocks back?


More about Plan Toys:

Plan Toys’ products are manufactured in Thailand.
Plan Toys has received E0 Standard (or “E-Zero standard”) certification, meaning that its products meet the highest safety standard of exposure to formaldehyde in wooden products and toys. Plan Toys has also acquired SA8000 Standard (“Social Accountability standard”) certification. To meet this Standard, Plan Toys provides its employees with a wholesome and safe working environment, emphasizing guaranteed fair wages, protection from discrimination, no use of child labour, and the right to self-sustainable development.


Precociously (and punctually) yours,
Darla Porcupine

Get Darla Porcupine's Pick of the week for 15 perfect percentage points less!
Usually the Plan Toys Activity Clock retails at $39.99.
Ape to Zebra's daily low price is $36.50.


Until November 9, 2010, you can purchase Plan Toys Activity Clock at only $33.99!

Hurry, this offer is only valid until November 9, 2010!