Children are not yet privy to the wonders of sleep. Whether it’s stories from your parents on how they used to rock you for hours whilst listening to the radio, or your colleagues turning up looking like zombies after a particularly bad night with a toddler, everyone has heard how difficult it can be to get them to drift off and stay there.
Fortunately, present-day alarm clocks can help. Not only do they wake your child up, but they can now double as a nightlight or radio, play lullabies, and even introduce proper sleeping schedules. But how do you know which is right for you both? We're here to make it easier with our guide and recommendations, all available from sites such as Amazon, eBay and Argos.
Quick List - Top Alarm Clocks for Kids
LittleHippo
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Table of Contents
From getting an age appropriate-design to extra features that can soothe and entertain on demand, deciding on the right clock for your little one is a bit different to deciding on a clock for yourself. With this in mind, be sure to consider the following factors before you buy.
Okay-to-wake models are aimed at younger children who have trouble falling asleep or wake too early. These models use either lights or pictures to simply show your child when it’s time to get up, or whether they should go back to sleep.
You might also like to consider a design that combines both these functions, so that it can grow with your child as their needs change.
Next, consider the display style. Digital is ideal for children that have started learning their numbers, and can be used for years to come. These clocks are also likely to provide other information you might find useful, such as the temperature and the date.
Numberless clocks use the changing of colours or images to demonstrate to your child that the time has changed. As you can guess, these are often okay-to-wake models.
Finally, traditional analogue displays. Though these could be considered 'past it' nowadays, they will always remain the most useful tool for teaching children how to tell the time.
Can't decide? Having the best of both worlds is an option too, just look for clocks with a plug and a backup battery. Additionally, if, like many other children nowadays, yours has a small tech factory going on in their bedroom, an additional USB port can turn your clock into a spare charger!
Lastly, we'll look at the additional wonders that today's children's alarm clocks can offer. As well as a standard snooze button which will almost always be included, these functions will hopefully help your child drift off to sleep, and maybe even encourage them to stay there until a (semi) reasonable hour.
Some kid's clocks will come with different light functions to help them get to sleep. For younger children, look out for models with ‘training’ lights. These will change colour depending on whether it’s time to sleep or wake up. Children love to follow rules, so this type of game could make bedtime feel fun.
Clocks which also act as nightlights are a great 2-in-1 buy for little ones who aren’t comfortable in the dark. To save the light being on all night, you can look for designs with timers that turn off after a pre-determined period of time. Plus, a colour-changing function can further help to create a soothing environment.
Picking up a model with Bluetooth capabilities, a radio, or another musical operation such as playable lullabies will allow you and your child to listen to some soothing music whilst falling asleep.
Not to mention, several of these functions will enable you both to choose something more pleasant for your child to wake up to. After all, if you're not a fan of the high-pitched shrill of a traditional alarm at 6am, there's a high chance they won't be either!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer | ![]() | A Brilliant All-Rounder That Can Grow With Your Child | |
2 | Learning Resources Tock the Learning Clock | ![]() | The Best Choice for Learning to Tell the Time | |
3 | My Tot Clock My Tot Clock | ![]() | A Complete Clock That Can Change Its Look | |
4 | FITFORT Wake Up Light Alarm Clock | ![]() | A Clock That Simulates Sunrise or Sunset | |
5 | MomKnows Galaxy Clock | ![]() | For a Soothing Snooze in Space | |
6 | The Gro Company Gro-Clock Sleep Trainer | ![]() | A Visual Clock for Those That Don't Yet Understand Numbers | |
7 | Lexibook Disney Frozen 2 Digital Alarm | ![]() | A Disney Sleep Aid That's Got the Looks and the Functions | |
8 | LEGO Batman Alarm Clock | ![]() | A Simple and Straightforward Franchise Friend | |
9 | Homealexa Kids Light Alarm Clock | ![]() | A Cute Multi-Functional Bunny | |
10 | Ayybboo Non-Ticking Alarm Clock | ![]() | A Value Buy for Football Lovers |
Firstly, we have to say the design of this clock has incredibly cute mass appeal! However, it's much more than just a sweet addition to your child's room – it has fantastic functionality too, and can be used as either an okay-to-wake or a sound alarm. When using the sound alarm, there's a choice of 3 sounds.
The added nightlight offers 6 colour changes too, and if your little one likes a nap in the day it can double up as a nap timer with or without the sound. This really does tick all the boxes, and we're sure you and your child will be happier and more well-rested with Mella in your life!
If you're looking for not only an alarm clock but something that can also be used as a tool to help your little ones tell the time, then look no further than this device from Learning Resources. It uses the (non-functional) analogue display alongside the quiz mode to do just that!
In addition to this, it also has an okay-to-wake alarm, the ability to be used as a night light, and it for a little fun, too, Tock's head can be pressed to play songs via his music-time function.
This clock combines both okay-to-wake and regular sound alarm features, and both an analogue and digital display, making it a great purchase for children that are learning to tell the time. Moreover, kids will love being able to change the faceplate to their preferred design.
There are 5 different light settings, featured lullabies, and the all-important built-in night light. Plus, the parental controls are hidden, so you don't have to worry about any little hands getting to it and tampering with the settings.
Just as beneficial for children as it is for the grown-ups, this clock has an intelligent sunrise/sundown simulation to aid troubled sleepers. Simply set the alarm for the morning and the clock will increase from 10% - 100% brightness, and fade back down in the evenings. You can even add music too, if you like, or play the FM radio.
Plus, there are 7 different light settings available which kids will love to customise to this week's favourite colour, a display they can easily read, and even a USB socket to plug a phone or other device into.
Who didn't want one of these as a kid (or even now)? This alarm will not only get your child up in the morning but gently soothe them to sleep with projections of stars on the ceiling in the evenings. And that's a win-win if you ask us!
The alarm can also function as a speaker to play either the inbuilt nature sounds or the relaxing music of your choice before bedtime. Heading away to another parent's house or for a sleepover? It can be plugged into the mains, or powered up with batteries.
This is a great little clock and sleep trainer for young ones who don't know the concept of time yet, or have trouble getting used to a regular sleep routine. This model simply displays either a smiling sun or stars, which go out one-by-one over the course of the night to show the passing of time.
Additionally, it comes with a well-illustrated bedtime book that also encourages them to stay in bed longer. Though the light itself can be a little bright on full, there is a button for brightness adjustment, as well the option of switching on an audible alarm.
If your little one is a Frozen fan, then this wonderful design with protagonist Elsa might help them hit the hay. The clock has a light-up function that works when the tip of the clock is pressed and can be used as a night light if they're nervous in the dark.
It also features a button to play sounds from Frozen 2 the movie, and the alarm comes with a choice of two different Frozen ringtones. If they're struggling to sleep, perhaps this can teach them to let it go?
Get your little superhero their very own bat signal with this collectable LEGO Batman figurine clock. This is a pretty straightforward device, with a simple and easy-to-read backlit digital display, a snooze button, and moveable arms, wrists, and legs.
Our only qualm is that there's only one basic alarm tone – yep, it's that shrill one we talked about in the article. So while this is definitely one of the more appealing options for die-hard LEGO fans, it may not be the best match for school children who need to be gently coaxed out of bed!
This cute-looking clock has a ton of features. Firstly, a night light, which can be timed to stay on for 30 or 60 minutes – fingers crossed they'll be asleep by then. It also offers 6 different tones so you can get your child to pick their favourite, and a volume adjustment that'll ensure they're up in time for school.
Furthermore, there is a snooze button that comes with a countdown function so they'll know just when it is time to get up. The downside is that children might find it a little tricky to get the hang of initially, but with perseverance and guidance, they'll get there.
Getting us underway is this traditional analogue clock from Ayybboo. It's designed for the formidable younger fan and would look right at home in a football-themed bedroom. Plus, it has a non-ticking hand so it shouldn't wake your little one up when they do drift off.
There's also a nice, soft light and an alarm that gradually gets louder for those children who can sleep through anything. It's affordable too, however, the build isn't as sturdy as other, more expensive styles, so it might not last particularly long around younger kids.
Whether at home or away, a few well-considered items can really lend a hand if sleep isn't coming easily for your child. We're sure many of you are keen to know more, so follow the links below for our suggestions!
Sleep is a vital time for children, so we hope you've managed to learn a few things from our buying guide and find the right alarm to help your little ones make the most of the nighttime hours. Hey, if they sleep, you might even be able to get some too...
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: LittleHippo|Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer
No. 2: Learning Resources|Tock the Learning Clock
No. 3: My Tot Clock|My Tot Clock
No. 4: FITFORT|Wake Up Light Alarm Clock
No. 5: MomKnows|Galaxy Clock
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