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Best Toddler Alarm Clocks of 2025

Updated
Find the ideal toddler alarm clock that makes waking up and bedtime routines a breeze for both kids and parents.
Toddler alarm clocks are a game-changer for parents desperate to reclaim their sleep. These “okay-to-wake” devices use colors and pictures instead of numbers, helping young children understand when it is time to rise and when they need to stay in bed.

We researched the top models on the market to find the best options for sleep training, nightlights, and durability. Whether you need a simple color-changing light or a smart device controlled by your phone, these clocks can help the whole family get a better night’s rest.

Our Top Picks

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Best with White Noise: LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Clock
  • Volume control for sounds
  • Button lock feature
  • Has naptime function
Best Analog Alarm Clock: Claessens' Kids My First Alarm Clock
  • Digital & analog displays
  • Snooze function
  • Good for learning time
Best for Visual Learning: TooTa Digital
  • Light & sound alarm
  • Simple for young children
  • 8 ringing tunes
Best Without A Clock Face: Skip Hop Sleep Dream & Shine Cloud
  • Simple enough for young toddler
  • Lights-off timer
  • Nursery appropriate design
Best With Mobile App: Hatch Baby Rest Time-to-Rise
  • Flexible use
  • Simple light cues
  • Controls multiple units from 1 app
Best for Naps: Windflyer Little Teddi Toddler Clock
  • Appealing, friendly face
  • 5 brightness & volume settings
  • Power cord or battery option
Best Multipurpose Alarm Clock : Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock
  • Seven night light function
  • 20 brightness level
  • Includes FM radio search
Best Budget Alarm Clock: Big Red Rooster Alarm Clock
  • Battery or outlet power
  • Adorable, child-friendly design
  • Can set two alarm times
Best With Bluetooth Speaker : Star Projector Night Light
  • Stream stories & music
  • Works for toddlers, tweens, & teens
  • Has 6 optional projection films
Best With Smart Home Compatibility: WiFi Smart Table Lamp for Bedrooms
  • Can be used anywhere at home
  • Cool light options
  • Flexible usage

What Is a Toddler Alarm Clock?

A toddler alarm clock acts as a sleep trainer. Unlike standard alarms that rely on reading time or loud noises, these devices use visual cues.

Typically, the clock glows a specific color (like red) to signal bedtime and switches to green or displays a sun icon when it is okay to wake up. This empowers toddlers to regulate their own morning routine without needing to shout for mom or dad at 5 a.m.

Do Okay-to-Wake Clocks Work?

Yes, they work wonders for many families. While a clock won’t physically keep a child in bed, it provides a concrete rule for them to follow. It eliminates the guesswork for a toddler who wakes up in a dark room and wonders if it is morning yet.

Success relies on consistency. You need to explain the colors to your child and praise them when they wait for the green light. It might take a few days of reinforcement, but most toddlers catch on quickly.

At What Age Should a Child Start Using an Alarm Clock?

Most children are ready for an okay-to-wake clock between ages 2 and 3. Once your child moves from a crib to a toddler bed, they have the freedom to roam, which makes this the perfect time to introduce boundaries. These clocks often remain useful well into elementary school as standard nightlights or digital clocks.

What to Look For

Consider these features to find the right match for your child’s sleep habits:

Budget

You do not need to overspend to get a good result. Simple color-changing clocks are very affordable and effective. However, spending a bit more can get you features like app control, Bluetooth speakers, or higher-quality sound machines that last for years.

Light Colors and Brightness

Look for a clock that offers a red or amber light for sleeping. Blue and white lights inhibit melatonin production and can actually keep your child awake. Adjustable brightness is also essential so the “wake” light doesn’t startle them out of a deep sleep.

Power Source and Settings

Check if the clock needs to be plugged in or if it uses batteries. Plug-in models with battery backup are ideal so you don’t lose your settings during a power outage. Also, look for “nap timer” buttons that let you quickly set a countdown without reprogramming the main wake-up time.


Product Reviews

Here are our recommendations for the 10 best toddler alarm clocks to help your little one sleep longer.

LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Clock

Best Toddler Alarm Clock with White Noise

The LittleHippo Mella is a crowd favorite because it balances personality with functionality. It uses facial expressions and colors to communicate sleep times, making it intuitive for toddlers. When the clock sleeps, your child knows to sleep.

This unit features three distinct sleep modes. The red light indicates it is time for bed. Thirty minutes before the alarm goes off, the light turns yellow to signal “almost time.” Finally, it glows green when your child is allowed to get out of bed.

Beyond the visual cues, Mella includes three sleep sound options (white noise, ocean, and lullaby) and five nightlight colors. The interface is located on the bottom to prevent curious fingers from changing settings, and the adorable design fits perfectly in modern nurseries.

Pros

  • Nap timer: Quickly set a countdown for naps without changing the main alarm.
  • Sleep sounds: Includes white noise to drown out household sounds.
  • Lock feature: Prevents toddlers from accidentally changing the time.

Cons

  • Wired only: It must be plugged in to function fully; the battery is just for backup.

Product Specs

Clock Face Digital
Sounds White noise, lullaby, and ocean
Night Light Yes
Colors White with either blue, pink, purple, or teal feet
Power Cable with battery back-up

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Functionality
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4.5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Claessens' Kids My First Alarm Clock

Best Analog Toddler Alarm Clock

If you want to teach your child how to read a traditional clock while sleep training, the Claessens’ Kids model is a smart choice. It features a main analog face for time-telling and a smaller visual dial for sleep cues.

The visual cue is simple: a picture of a sleeping child glows gently at night, and a picture of a child playing lights up in the morning. This separates the concept of “time” from “behavior,” which can be helpful for older toddlers.

The alarm sounds are gentle, ranging from birdsong to a cuckoo, and they start quietly before gradually increasing in volume. There is also a large mushroom button on top that acts as a snooze and a quick nightlight for bathroom breaks.

Pros

  • Dual learning: Teaches analog time alongside sleep schedules.
  • Gradual wake: Alarm volume increases slowly to avoid startling the child.
  • Easy snoozing: The large button is fun and easy for kids to press.
  • Silent mode: You can use the visual cues without the sound alarm.

Cons

  • No dimmer: You cannot adjust the brightness of the nightlight.
  • 24-hour cycle issues: You cannot set an alarm more than 12 hours ahead easily.

Product Specs

Clock Face Analog & digital
Sounds Birds, cuckoo, train
Night Light Yes
Colors Blue 7 white
Power Source Battery

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Functionality
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

TooTa Digital Alarm Clock

Best Toddler Alarm Clock For Visual Learning

The TooTa Digital Alarm Clock packs a lot of information into a small, 3.8-inch cube. It displays the time, date, day of the week, and even the room temperature, making it a great gadget for inquisitive kids who like data.

It offers seven different color options for the nightlight, which helps soothe children who are afraid of the dark. You can choose from eight different alarm tones, including cheerful folk rhymes, to make waking up less of a chore.

Parents appreciate the dual alarm settings, which allow you to program different wake-up times for weekdays and weekends. While it isn’t a dedicated “sleep trainer” with icons, the color changes and clear display serve a similar purpose for slightly older children.

Pros

  • Informative display: Shows temp and date along with time.
  • Color variety: Seven light colors keep bedtime fun.
  • Compact size: Fits easily on crowded nightstands.

Cons

  • Power hungry: If used on batteries alone, they drain quickly.

Product Specs

Clock Face Digital
Sounds 5 folk rhymes and 3 different beep-beep
Night Light Yes
Colors Red, blue, green, yellow, orange
Power Source Battery

Our Ratings

Design
3.5 / 5
Functionality
4 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

Skip Hop Sleep Dream & Shine Cloud

Best Toddler Alarm Clock Without A Clock Face

The Skip Hop Dream & Shine Cloud focuses entirely on color cues, skipping the digital clock face altogether. This makes it perfect for very young toddlers (ages 18 months to 2 years) who just need to know if they should be sleeping or waking.

The logic is simple: Red means sleep, yellow means it is almost time, and green means go. It features a soothing mode that plays white noise, rain sounds, or a lullaby to help your child wind down.

Because there is no clock face to read, it removes the pressure of “checking the time.” The cloud shape is friendly and blends well with nursery decor. It also features an auto-off timer for the light (20 minutes) to encourage sleeping in the dark.

Pros

  • Simple interface: Perfect for children too young to read numbers.
  • Soothing sounds: Three calming audio options for bedtime.
  • Portable: Easy to unplug and take to grandma’s house.

Cons

  • Short light duration: The wake-up light turns off after 20 minutes, which might be missed if the child sleeps in.

Product Specs

Clock Face None
Sounds White noise, lullaby, gentle rain
Night Light No
Colors Blue and white
Power Source Cable

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Functionality
3.5 / 5
Ease of Use
5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Hatch Baby Rest Time-to-Rise

Best Toddler Alarm Clock with Mobile App

The Hatch Rest is widely considered the gold standard for nursery sound machines and sleep trainers. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to control colors, brightness, sounds, and schedules without entering the room.

You can customize the colors and sounds to suit your exact needs. Use a dim orange light with white noise for newborn feedings, and switch to a “green light means go” program when they become toddlers.

The “Toddler Lock” feature is a lifesaver, ensuring your child cannot mess up the schedule by tapping the device. Because it is updated via an app, the Hatch grows with your child and offers more flexibility than almost any other clock on this list.

Pros

  • Remote control: Adjust settings from your phone without waking the child.
  • Total customization: endless color and sound combinations.
  • Long lifespan: Useful from the newborn stage through the school years.

Cons

  • Connectivity issues: Some users report occasional Bluetooth syncing glitches.

Product Specs

Clock Face None
Sounds 11 pre-set sounds
Night Light Yes
Colors White with multiple light colors
Power Source Cable

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Functionality
5 / 5
Ease of Use
4.5 / 5
Durability
4.5 / 5
Total Rating
4.5 / 5

Windflyer Little Teddi Toddler Clock

Best Toddler Alarm Clock For Naps

The Windflyer Little Teddi combines a digital clock with a friendly, animated face. The facial expressions give the device personality, closing its eyes at night and smiling wide in the morning to signal wake-up time.

A standout feature is the “buffer zone” setting. You can program a period between sleep and wake where a yellow light stays on. This tells your child they can sit up and play quietly in bed but should not leave the room yet.

It comes with four soothing sleep sounds and a dedicated nap timer. You can also adjust the brightness and volume to four different levels, ensuring it isn’t too intense for a dark room.

Pros

  • Play mode: The yellow light teaches independent quiet time.
  • Versatile power: Use the included cord or batteries for travel.
  • Child lock: Prevents accidental setting changes.

Cons

  • Tricky setup: The buttons and menu can be confusing initially.
  • Battery compartment: Difficult to open without a screwdriver (safety feature, but annoying).

Product Specs

Clock Face Digital
Sounds Music box, lullaby, ocean wave, white noise
Night Light Yes
Colors Blue and white
Power Source Cable, backup battery

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Functionality
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
3.5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock

Best Multipurpose Toddler Alarm Clock

The Jall Wake Up Light mimics a natural sunrise, gradually brightening from 10% to 100% over a set period (10 to 60 minutes). This gentle stimulation helps reset your child’s circadian rhythm and wakes them up naturally rather than jolting them awake with a buzzer.

It includes dual alarms, which is great if you have two kids with different schedules sharing a room, or just need separate weekday/weekend settings. It also features an FM radio, seven alarm sounds (including ocean waves and piano), and seven colored nightlight options.

While it lacks the “cute” face of other models, its functionality makes it a solid choice for older toddlers and school-aged children who need help getting up for school.

Pros

  • Sunrise simulation: Wakes children gently with light.
  • FM Radio: Adds functionality for older kids.
  • Dual alarms: Great for shared rooms or varied schedules.

Cons

  • Grown-up design: Lacks the fun character appeal of other toddler clocks.
  • Loud minimum volume: Even the lowest sound setting can be a bit loud for some.

Product Specs

Clock Face Digital
Sounds Birdsong, ocean wave, streams, beep, wind bells, soft music, and piano
Night Light Yes
Colors White, red, yellow, green, blue, purple, indigo
Power Source Corded electric

Our Ratings

Design
3.5 / 5
Functionality
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Big Red Rooster Alarm Clock

Best Budget Toddler Alarm Clock

The Big Red Rooster clock is simple, adorable, and highly effective. Shaped like a puppy, it holds a ball that glows red for “stop/sleep” and green for “go/wake.”

There are no complicated apps or connectivity issues to worry about here. You simply set the alarm time, and the clock does the rest. It features a hidden panel for the buttons, so your child is less likely to accidentally change the time while playing with the “doggy.”

You can choose to use just the light, or add a buzzer if you actually need to wake your child up. It can run on an AC adaptor or batteries, making it a great camping companion.

Pros

  • Kid-proof controls: Buttons are hidden inside a compartment.
  • Dual power: Works with an outlet or batteries.
  • Visual simplicity: The red/green ball is universally understood by kids.

Cons

  • Basic audio: Only has a buzzer; no gentle nature sounds.
  • No dimmer: You cannot adjust the brightness of the ball.

Product Specs

Clock Face Digital
Sounds Buzzer
Night Light No
Colors Brown
Power Source Cable or battery

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Functionality
3.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Star Projector Night Light

Best Toddler Alarm Clock With Bluetooth Speaker

This device is primarily a room projector that doubles as a clock and speaker. It projects rotating scenes, like the cosmos, underwater worlds, or birthday themes, onto the ceiling, transforming the bedroom into a calming sanctuary.

While it isn’t a strict “sleep trainer” with red/green logic, you can set specific light colors for sleep and wake times. The digital display helps older kids learn time, and the Bluetooth speaker allows you to stream your own audiobooks, white noise, or lullabies from a phone.

It is an excellent choice for children who are afraid of the dark and need a visually distracting light show to feel comfortable enough to drift off.

Pros

  • Immersive visuals: Projects relaxing scenes on the ceiling.
  • Bluetooth audio: Play any audio content you want.
  • Grow-with-me: Appeals to toddlers, tweens, and even teens.

Cons

  • Not a dedicated trainer: Lacks the specific “okay to wake” icons.
  • Complex interface: Might be overwhelming for very young users.

Product Specs

Clock Face Digital
Sounds Multiple
Night Light Yes
Colors Multiple
Power Source Cable and rechargeable internal battery

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Functionality
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

WiFi Smart Table Lamp for Bedrooms

Best Toddler Alarm Clock with Smart Home Compatibility

If you prefer a smart home solution over a plastic toy clock, this WiFi Smart Lamp is a versatile option. It pairs with Alexa or Google Home, allowing you to control lighting schedules via voice commands or an app.

You can program it to turn a soft warm white at bedtime and switch to a bright energizing color in the morning. With 16 million colors available, you can let your toddler pick their favorite shade for “sleep time,” giving them a sense of ownership over the process.

Because it looks like a standard lamp, it can be repurposed anywhere in the house once your child outgrows the need for sleep training. Just remember to lock the controls in the app so your tech-savvy toddler doesn’t override your settings.

Pros

  • Smart integration: Works with Alexa and Google Home.
  • Versatile design: Looks great in any room, not just a nursery.
  • Infinite colors: Find the perfect shade for your child.

Cons

  • No clock face: Doesn’t teach time-telling.
  • WiFi dependent: Requires a 2.4 GHz network to function properly.

Product Specs

Clock Face None
Sounds None
Night Light Yes
Colors Silver and white
Power Source Cable

Our Ratings

Design
3.5 / 5
Functionality
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Product Comparison Chart

Product Best Clock Face Sounds Night Light Power
LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Clock White Noise Digital White noise, lullax, & ocean Yes Cable/Battery
Claessens’ Kids My First Alarm Clock Analog Analog/Digital Birds, cuckoo, train Yes Battery
TooTa Digital Visual Learning Digital Folk rhymes and beeps Yes Battery
Skip Hop Sleep Dream & Shine Cloud Clock Face None White noise, lullax, gentle rain No Cable
Hatch Baby Rest Time-to-Rise Mobile App None 11 pre-set sounds Yes Cable
Windflyer Little Teddi Toddler Clock Naps Digital Multiple Yes Cable/Battery
Wake Up Sunrise Alarm Clock Multipurpose Digital Multiple Yes Cable
Big Red Rooster Alarm Clock Budget Pick Digital Buzzer No Cable/Battery
Star Projector Night Light Bluetooth Speaker Digital Multiple Yes Cable/Battery
WiFi Smart Table Lamp for Bedrooms Smart Home Compatibility None None Yes Cable

FAQs

What Color Light Is Best for Toddler Sleep?

Red or amber lights are best for sleeping. Unlike blue or white lights, red light does not interfere with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Using a red light for the “stay in bed” phase helps keep your child drowsy if they wake up in the middle of the night.

Can I Just Use a Regular Digital Clock?

You can, but it is often less effective for toddlers. Most children under the age of 4 cannot read numbers or understand time increments. A color-changing clock provides an instant visual cue that a toddler can process without needing to interpret digits.

How Long Does It Take for Sleep Training Clocks to Work?

Most children catch on within 3 to 7 days. The key is to introduce the clock with excitement, explain the rules clearly (“Red means bed, Green means go”), and lavish them with praise or a small reward the first few times they wait for the light to change.


It’s Not Forever

Waking up before the sun is exhausting, but this phase won’t last forever. Toddler alarm clocks are a gentle, effective tool to bridge the gap between baby sleep patterns and big-kid independence.

By giving your child a visual guide, you are helping them establish healthy boundaries and confidence. Be patient, stay consistent with the “red light” rules, and enjoy those few extra minutes of morning coffee. You’ve got this!

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About the Author

Patricia Barnes

Patricia Barnes is a homeschooling mom of 5 who has been featured on Global TV, quoted in Parents magazine, and writes for a variety of websites and publications. Doing her best to keep it together in a life of constant chaos, Patti would describe herself as an eclectic mess maker, lousy crafter, book lover, autism mom, and insomniac.