Who says a kitchen timer is just for the kitchen? Here’s a list of seven things you can use that kitchen timer for… outside the kitchen!
Image credit: tom1
1. Declutter your home. Cleaning a room can get overwhelming. Set aside 15 minutes a day to clean a room. You don’t overexert yourself but still get some cleaning done. Set the timer for 15 minutes. Once it rings, decluttering’s over. Continue tomorrow.
2. Make a deadline. Sometimes all we need is a little pressure to get work done. Set your timer at 20 minutes and see how much work you can get squeezed in within that time limit. This can help increase your productivity. I do this when I need to come up with a list of ideas and am facing a brick wall. It helps!
3. Time time-outs. Use a timer as a guide for kids during time-outs. When the bell rings, they know punishment time’s over. Freedom!
4. Limit TV watching, video game playing or computer use. It’s easy to lose track of time once you’re seated in front of the television or your laptop. Set the timer and make sure you’re off your seat once the alarm goes off! Then head on to do more productive things.
5. Monitor bathroom time. Some people can be bathroom hoggers! Make sure everyone gets a fair share of bathroom time by setting the kitchen timer to an equal amount of time per person. This is a great help in the mornings when everyone’s preparing for work and school.
6. Use as a game timer. Whether it’s timing your 2-minutes in “Pinoy Henyo” or replacing the hour glass in Word Factory, the kitchen timer can come in handy. Once the bell rings, it’s on to the next round!
7. Have equal share time. Encourage sharing by using the kitchen timer to help take turns. Once the bell rings, it’s time to pass the toy to the next kid (or the remote control to the wife).
Boiling eggs, baking bread… sure, the kitchen timer can help in cooking but it has purposes outside the kitchen too. How else have you used your kitchen timer?
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
fortuitous faery
October 8, 2009 at 7:59 am (15 years ago)how very clever!
.-= fortuitous faery´s last blog ..Litratong Pinoy #67: Tamad (Lazy) =-.
Lindsey
October 8, 2009 at 8:41 am (15 years ago)This is awesome! Thanks for sharing
I used my kitchen timer for potty training 
LOL
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Project Fit America =-.
hazel
October 8, 2009 at 8:42 am (15 years ago)now i want a kitchen timer
.-= hazel´s last blog ..Stewardship =-.
fruity oaty
October 8, 2009 at 9:05 am (15 years ago)Yeah… for nap time at work. LOL.
BTW, congratulations on being a Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards finalist! I hope you win. Good luck!
I finally returned to blogging after an 8-month hiatus… and I’m hitting all the sites I used to visit. Just dropping by to say HELLLLLLLLOOOOOO!
Regards,
Massa P aka “fruity”
.-= fruity oaty´s last blog ..Girl, Interrupted: My Vote for PBA Bloggers’ Choice Award =-.
rowie
October 8, 2009 at 11:08 am (15 years ago)For massages.
.-= rowie´s last blog ..Ondoy Milk Mission =-.
MrsLavendula
October 8, 2009 at 6:51 pm (15 years ago)i always like the the sound of the kitchen timer…it means a nice hot treat is ready! yum!
.-= MrsLavendula´s last blog ..A Mall Rat’s Train of Thought =-.
Glenda
October 8, 2009 at 11:22 pm (15 years ago)hmmm. never thought of ways to use a kitchen timer other than to…time my cooking or baking in the kitchen. now i’m seeing my kitchen timer in a whole new light!
.-= Glenda´s last blog ..Banana-Cream Cheese Roll =-.
JO
October 9, 2009 at 3:56 am (15 years ago)I used to use timer on my kids – for Wii time, DS time, taking a bath, cleaning room, doing homework… etc…. it’s just make them aware of how much time has lapse.
.-= JO´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: 50th birthday cake =-.
pretty-tiffany
October 9, 2009 at 4:31 pm (15 years ago)Thank you for your sharing,I like this.and welcome to my site:
tiffany
Leonny
October 13, 2009 at 1:22 am (15 years ago)heheh … great ideas there! 😀
I don’t have a kitchen timer, but I sure always use the clock so that my kids know when to start / stop doing something (OR to hurry and finish their meals …
See you next Friday at the Awards Nite!! 😀
Leonny
http://www.oureverydaythings.com
.-= Leonny´s last blog ..I’m A Mom : Being a Protective Mom & Tips to boost our kids’ natural defences =-.
TheMasterCleanGroup
July 14, 2023 at 9:09 pm (10 months ago)We have the Thermoworks timer, all the kids got one for gifts after we saw how good it was. The volume is loud enough that we can hear it in the kitchen when outside at the grill with the door closed. It starts counting up after it reaches zero. It’s great.