Why explore time and change with children?
Time shapes every school day, yet children quickly notice how strange it is: a minute can feel like forever, rivers keep changing and time travel stories do not quite add up. These puzzles are an ideal way into metaphysics.
The activities move from a sand timer and felt time to Heraclitus’ river, time travel paradoxes and the debate from Augustine to McTaggart about whether time is real.
Free activities to download
Ready-to-run EduTrend Contents philosophy enquiry workshops for primary, middle and high school. Each free download includes a step-by-step session plan, facilitator notes, three student worksheets and an assessment checklist. Full 20-week programmes are available in EduStore.
What Is Time?
Primary · Ages 5–7
Foundation · 30 min
Young children watch a sand timer and enquire into what time is and whether we can see or touch it.
Can Time Go Faster?
Primary · Ages 8–11
Developing · 45 min
Pupils compare clock time with how time feels and enquire into whether time really speeds up and slows down.
The Same River Twice
Middle School · Ages 11–13
Intermediate · 50 min
Students explore Heraclitus’ saying about rivers and enquire into how things can change and stay the same.
Could You Change the Past?
Middle School · Ages 12–14
Intermediate · 50 min
Students examine a time travel story and its puzzles, and enquire into whether the past could ever be changed.
Is Time Real?
High School · Ages 15–18
Advanced · 60 min
Students examine Augustine’s puzzle about time and McTaggart’s argument that time is unreal, and enquire into what time is.
Liked the free activities? Go further with a 20-week programme.
Each free activity comes from a full EduTrend Contents programme: a Family Guide or Teacher's Guide with one-page session plans for 20 weeks, plus an Assessment Toolkit with rubrics, trackers and certificates. Choose the one for your child's age or your class below. Instant PDF download after checkout.
P4C-451 · 20 WEEKS · $29
Time Questions at Home
Family · Ages 5–11 with a grown-up
Wondering about time together at home.
P4C-452 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Time and Change Enquiries
Primary · Ages 5–11
Class enquiries on time, clocks and change.
P4C-453 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Time Philosophy Lab
Middle school · Ages 11–14
Change, time travel and the reality of time.
P4C-454 · 20 WEEKS · $45
Time Enquiry Leaders
High school · Ages 14–18
Lead time enquiries for younger children.
Photos: Nathan Dumlao, MI PHAM, Melody Zimmerman, Caroline Hernandez, Towfiqu barbhuiya / Unsplash
Time and Change
Explore time and change with five free printable philosophy activities, from a sand timer and felt time to Heraclitus’ river, time travel paradoxes and whether time is real. For longer learning, choose a 20-week programme for families, primary, middle or high school.
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Time and Change
