Dandelion Clocks

Dandelions.  They’re not just weeds!  They have several practical uses:  tea, coffee, and salads.  And don’t forget about the pretty bouquets kids bring to you with carefully hand-picked dandelions lovingly chosen just for you.  But have you heard of dandelion clocks?

Last year we learned a new “use” for dandelions.  A dandelion clock.  You may already be familiar with them, but I hadn’t heard of them where I grew up.

Dandelion locks are super-simple.  Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed and is all nice and fluffy.

Hold it up and see what time it is.  Take a breath and blow on the dandelion head like you do when blowing out candles on a cake.

On your first blow say, “It’s one O’clock.”

Then blow again and say, “It’s two O’clock.”

Continue on until all of the dandelion seeds have been blown away, and that’s the “time”.

Dandelion clocks are a fun way for children to learn to count, and for older children they still have fun watching the seeds blow in the wind.

You can use this fun activity as a spring-board to discussions about:

• Parts of a flower
• Plant life cycles
• Where do the seeds go?
• What will happen with them?

Have you tried a dandelion clock?  What’s you favourite use for dandelions?

If you enjoy getting up close to nature with your kids, try a marine walk, or some bird watching.