Toothbrushing sand timer
A 2–3 minute sand timer for days without the phone or when traveling. It can sit by the sink.
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Kids toothbrush timer: sand timers, music and apps for two-minute brushing
Two minutes can feel very long to a child holding a toothbrush. A timer turns “are we done yet?” into something your child can see or hear.
This guide compares the main kinds of kids toothbrush timers and shares a few ways to make two minutes of brushing easier.
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Quick answer: which kids toothbrush timer to choose
- Sand timer: simple, no screen, easy for young kids to understand
- Electric toothbrush with a built-in timer: buzzes or pauses to tell you when to switch areas
- Songs or music: fun, but the length can vary
- Apps: can turn brushing into a game, best used by a grown-up with the phone on a stand
Kids electric toothbrush
Some kids look forward to the fun sound and buzz. Check the age range, and keep doing finishing brushing.
Why two minutes?
Many dentists suggest brushing for about two minutes. For young children, a grown-up usually finishes the brushing too, so the timer is mostly about helping your child stay with it.
Sand timers: simple and screen-free
A two-minute sand timer next to the sink lets your child watch the sand fall. When the sand runs out, brushing is done. There is nothing to charge and nothing to set.
Choose one that is sturdy and stands steadily on the counter, and keep it out of reach of very young children who might drop it.
Toothbrushing sand timer
A 2–3 minute sand timer for days without the phone or when traveling. It can sit by the sink.
Apps and a phone stand
Brushing apps can show a character or a story that moves while your child brushes. Our own app, Hamigaki Island (coming soon), is one example: a boat sails to a new island while you brush for two minutes, and there are no ads or in-app purchases.
If you use an app, a waterproof phone stand keeps the phone away from water and at eye level.
Waterproof phone stand for the bathroom
For brushing while watching the app’s timer. Place it away from splashes.
Tips to make two minutes feel short
In our family, we used to put a sticker on a calendar every day after brushing. Seeing the calendar fill up kept our child going, and an app can do the same job.
- Split the mouth into four parts and brush about 30 seconds each
- Let your child choose a favorite toothbrush
- Celebrate when the timer ends, with a sticker or a little cheer
- Brush together, so your child can copy you
Kids toothbrush (favorite character or color)
Picking it themselves makes brushing “their own thing”. Choose a head size that suits their age.
Turn brushing into an island adventure
Hamigaki Island is a kids app: during a two-minute brushing adventure, a boat sails around six islands, and lost baby teeth open new places to explore.
See brushing goods by worry →