It seems like parents spend half of our time trying to get our kids to wake up and get out of bed, and the other half getting them to fall asleep or stay in bed.
One way to minimize the stress of dealing with your kids’ sleeping and waking habits is to provide them with a clock that allows them to regulate their habits on their own. The best kids’ alarm clocks will promote a sense of independence or enthusiasm in your child.
- Educational game
- Integrated ok to wake light
- Long-lasting
- Temperature display
- Nap time programs
- White noise
- Unique alarm clock sounds
- Backup battery
- Acts as bedside lamp
- Gentle light modes
- Excellent sound
- Rechargeable
- One-time snooze
- It runs and hides
- Quirky Sound
- Gentle waking
- Flexible combinations
- Long diffusion range
- Adjustable dimmer
- Six optional alarm sounds
- Two USB chargers
- Unique style
- Note clip hands
- Great for light sleepers
- Adjustable projection
- Simple design
- Ease of use
- Wake with light
- Integrated charger
- Sound asleep
Are Alarm Clocks Good For Kids?
Alarm clocks can be good for kids because:
- Some provide a comforting light or sound when they’re falling asleep, helping children who are scared of the dark (1).
- They allow children to take on some responsibility for themselves.
- Some teach kids about the appropriate times to go to sleep and get up.
- Alarm clocks can help learn to tell the time.
At What Age Should A Child Start Using An Alarm Clock?
It depends.
At 2 or 3 years of age, your child may understand the idea of a sleep trainer with a particular signal for sleeping and getting up. But, just because they understand, don’t expect them to take notice!
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking the best alarm clocks for kids will fix all of your sleep issues.
If your child shows interest in having a clock in their room, the clock is a child-friendly one, and you are fine with them having it, then they are old enough for a clock.
How to Choose the Best Kids Alarm Clock
Age range
Choose an alarm clock that is appropriate for your child’s age and developmental stage.
Features
Do you need a clock that will wake your child gently in the morning, or do you have a child who needs a brass band marching through their room before they wake up? Or, if you have an early riser, perhaps you need a sleep trainer to let them know when it’s okay to get out of bed. Figure out what you want from the alarm clock before you go shopping for one.
Price
Stick to a budget. If your child’s fickle and likely to change their mind about their choice, avoid spending too much. Alternatively, if you’d give anything for an extra hour in bed in the morning, a high-end sleep trainer might be worth the extra money.
Best Kids Alarm Clocks of 2021
Here are our top alarm clock picks for kids:
1. Teach Me Time! Talking Alarm Clock & Nightlight
This clock scores high marks for its versatility.
Starting out as an OK To Wake device, the clock then grows with your child, teaching them to tell the time on both digital and analog displays.
Finally, it becomes a fully functional alarm clock with a snooze option.
Why We Love It
Educational Game
The time-teaching game has five adjustable skill levels, allowing you to make the game more difficult as your child’s abilities develop.
Integrated OK To Wake Light
Before your child can tell the time, program the clock with what time it’s okay for your child to get up in the morning. Your child can learn they have to stay in bed until their clock turns green.
Long-Lasting
This clock works just as well for a 3-year old as it does for a 9-year-old. That means you may get many years of use out of this kids’ alarm clock.
Keep In Mind
Night Light
You can’t turn the nightlight function off, which may not appeal to those who like to sleep in total darkness.
Additional Specs
| Power source | USB cord with 2 AA battery back-up |
| Age range | 3+ |
| Digital or Analog | Both |
| Integrated light | Yes |
2. Good Night Buddy Kids Alarm Clock
Created by Ingrid Prueher, a baby sleep consultant, the Good Night Buddy addresses your child’s sleep environment to help them develop an appropriate sleep routine.
Why We Love It
Temperature
The clock displays the temperature in figures through red, yellow and blue lights on the side. This allows you to see at a glance if the room is too hot (red), too cold (blue), or just right (yellow) for optimal sleep.
Nap Time Programs
There is the ability to program the wake and sleep time of three naps in addition to an overnight sleep time.
White Noise
Three white noise settings provide a gentle background sound, without being stimulating.
Winding Down
The sleep buddy yawns when it’s time to start winding down and get ready to go to sleep. This provides an excellent buffer between playtime and sleep time.
Keep In Mind
Brightness
Some reviewers complain the brightness of the lights is not adjustable.
Additional Specs
| Power source | Plug-in power with watch battery back-up |
| Age range | 2 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
3. Sunrise Alarm Clock
This alarm clock for preschoolers is both for light and heavy sleepers. Kids and young at heart will both enjoy the multi-benefits of this digital alarm clock.
Plus, it has such an adorable sunrise simulation to mimic the sunrise. Initially, the alarm clock will give a pale yellow light that gradually increases to a bright yellow shade.
Why We Love It
Unique Alarm Clock Sounds
Use the alarm clock to set up different schedules and create 20 brightness intensities and seven sound combinations. These include Birdsong, Ocean Wave, Streams, Beep, Win bells, Soft and Piano.
Backup Battery
Although this alarm clock is not integrated with Alexa and Google Assistant, it, however, has a battery backup feature. You can either use the battery or use the USB option instead.
Acts As Bedside Lamp
With just one click, this powerful alarm clock can be used as a night light for your little ones which is cost-efficient in the long run since you can use both AC and battery mode.
Keep In Mind
Not App-Supported
This alarm clock however cannot be integrated with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Additional Specs
| Power source | A/C power and battery |
| Age range | 5 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
4. Uplayteck Light Kids Alarm Clock
This sophisticated kids’ alarm clock/light/speaker combo will appeal to the older kids in your home as well as some of the smaller kids.
Why We Love It
Gentle Light Modes
The alarm light turns on at a low setting and gradually brightens to wake you up. You can also program it to gradually dim when you are going to sleep.
Excellent Sound
The high-quality Bluetooth speaker allows you to stream from any device in a 10-meter radius.
Rechargeable
It can be used by plugging into an outlet or charged for up to 160 hours of use.
Keep In Mind
Learning Curve
Some reviewers complain the instructions are not as clear as they could be and that it can be tricky to learn how all of the functions work
Additional Specs
| Power source | A/C power and rechargeable |
| Age range | 8 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
5. Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels
Clocky is a good kids’ alarm clock if you have middle schoolers who struggle to get out of bed in the morning.
Once it’s time for the alarm to go off, Clocky will come to life, bounce off of your bedside table and roll around the room until you get up and turn it off.
Why We Love It
One-Time Snooze
Clocky has a one-hit snooze, which means you get ten minutes, and then there’s no turning it off until you get up. You also can turn the ability to hit snooze off entirely.
It Runs And Hides
Once the alarm on Clocky goes off, the wheels activate. Then it jumps from the table to the floor and starts moving around the room. You have to get out of bed to track it down and turn it off.
Quirky Sound
The alarm on Clocky sounds rather like R2-D2. Lots of electronic noise, and no gentle music!
Keep In Mind
Difficult For Everyone Else To Ignore
When we say loud, we mean it. If you have anyone else in your home who does not want to get up at the same time as your child, you might want to choose a different alarm clock.
Some People Have Had Issues with These Breaking
You may want to make sure your nightstand isn’t super high off the ground, as perhaps that could be one reason for people complaining their clock broke.
Additional Specs
| Power source | 4 AAA batteries |
| Age range | 7 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | No |
6. Sensorwake The Olfactory Alarm Clock
Not everyone reacts well to being woken up by noise.
If your child is one of those, you could try a gradual light alarm clock or the Lexibook by Sensorwake, which can wake you up with smells.
Why We Love It
Gentle Waking
This clock emits an aroma three minutes before it’s time to get up, allowing you to wake up gradually and gently.
Flexible Combinations
As well as the smell, you can add gentle sounds from the radio or some melodies.
Long Diffusion Range
Its diffusion scent can reach up to 1.5 meters and it also has a built-in night light. You can use a battery or USB to power it up.
Keep In Mind
Needs to Buy Scent Capsule
It goes without saying that additional luxury always comes with a price. Fortunately, though, you can re-use these scent capsule up to 30 times.
Additional Specs
| Power source | Battery operated or USB cable |
| Age range | 8 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
7. USCCE Digital Alarm Clock Radio
Say goodbye to annoying and alarming beeps in the morning. With this alarm clock, you can listen to your favorite FM radio station and wake up with good music. That’s a much better start to any kid’s day!
Why We Love It
Adjustable Dimmer
If the bright lights of an alarm clock disturb your little one’s sleep, or they are still scared of the dark, this is a great option. The numbers at the front can be dimmed from 0 percent to 100 percent, providing little to a lot of light.
Six Optional Alarm Sounds
Besides the radio, there are five other alarm sound options to choose from. This includes regular beeping, piano music, bird sounds, a buzzer and soft music.
Two USB Chargers
There are two USB chargers at the front for you to charge your phone or tablet from. This is great overnight since you can keep everything in one place.
Keep In Mind
Clock Doesn’t Keep Time
Many customers had an issue with the clock struggling to keep time. It seemed that the time would jump ahead a minute. For some customers, this was once a month; for others, this would happen every day.
Clock Face Angle
Another issue is the angle of the clock face. It tilts up so you can only see it if you’re standing above it or at eye level. If you’re laying in bed and looking up at the clock, you’ll not be able to see the time.
Additional Specs
| Power source | A/C power |
| Age range | Newborn to 10 years |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
8. Betus Non-Ticking Robot
A cute mix of traditional and modern, this kids’ alarm clock has an analog face, a second hand, and no sound.
Why We Love It
Unique Style
This funky robot is appealing enough for younger children and geeky enough for the older kids.
Note Clip Hands
This robot has hands capable of holding notes so you can leave a few words of love for your child to discover in the morning.
Great For Light Sleepers
The special “no-tick” design means that light sleepers will not be disturbed.
Keep In Mind
Very Basic
This alarm clock does not have any sleep trainer or other advanced features.
Additional Specs
| Power source | 2 AAA Batteries |
| Age range | 9 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Analog |
| Integrated light | No |
9. Sharp Projection Alarm Clock
This is a traditional alarm clock that has the ability to project the time onto a wall or ceiling.
Why We Love It
Adjustable Projection
The projection arm lets you project the time onto the walls or ceiling.
Simple Design
Smooth, unobtrusive design.
Ease Of Use
Easy for a child to set and use. There aren’t many buttons to figure out on this unit.
Keep In Mind
Not A “Kiddie” Clock
The basic, adult design won’t appeal to younger kids. But it will last them into adulthood because it will never be too babyish for them.
Additional Specs
| Power source | A/C power and 2 AAA batteries backup |
| Age range | 7 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
10. Witti Beddi Charge
This is a sleek and sophisticated clock for the teen years and beyond.
It has three integrated USB charging ports which your tech-loving teen should like. The light intensity can be adjusted to the level of your preference.
Why We Love It
Wake With Light
It has a gentle light alarm option to wake you with light which can be adjusted.
Integrated Charger
The clock has USB charging ports so your teen can hook up their cell and wake to a fully-charged phone.
Sound Asleep
It also has white noise and gentle sounds for falling asleep and waking.
Keep In Mind
Could Encourage Cell Use
Having a phone plugged into the alarm clock can make it too easy to stay up.
Additional Specs
| Power source | A/C power, 1 CR2 battery |
| Age range | 9 years + |
| Digital or Analog | Digital |
| Integrated light | Yes |
| Product | Best | Power source | Age range | Digital or Analog | Integrated light |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach Me Time! Talking Nightlight | Elementary School Kids | USB cord with 2 AA battery back-up | 3+ | Both | Yes |
| Good Night Buddy | Sleep Trainer | Plug-in power with watch battery back-up | 2 years + | Digital | Yes |
| Sunrise Alarm Clock | Multifunctional | A/C power & battery | 5 years + | Digital | Yes |
| Uplayteck Alarm | Bluetooth Speaker | A/C power & rechargeable | 8 years + | Digital | Yes |
| Clocky Alarm | Middle Schoolers | 4 AAA batteries | 7 years + | Digital | No |
| Sensorwake Olfactory Alarm Clock | Sensory Issues | Battery operated or USB cable | 8 years + | Digital | Yes |
| USCCE Digital Alarm | Radio | A/C power | 0 to 10 years | Digital | Yes |
| Betus Non-Ticking Robot | Affordable | 2 AAA Batteries | 9 years + | Analog | No |
| Sharp Projection | Projector | A/C power & 2 AAA batteries backup | 7 years + | Digital | Yes |
| Witti Beddi Charge | Teens | A/C power, 1 CR2 battery | 9 years + | Digital | Yes |
Be Guided By Age
Alarm clocks for kids come in such a wide variety of styles and have so many features it can be difficult to choose.
When you are trying to find the best kids’ alarm clocks, you should be guided by your family’s needs and your child’s age. You could also narrow the field down to two choices and let your kids have the final say.
