At what age should a child get an alarm clock?

There’s no specific age at which a child should get an alarm clock. Some parents and caregivers choose to get an OK-to-wake alarm clock for their toddlers to help them know when they can get out of bed at an appropriate time. On the other hand, other adults opt to buy an alarm clock for their kids when their children are older and responsible enough to start independently waking up. Regardless of when you buy an alarm clock for your child, kids thrive with routines. While it may seem counterintuitive, keeping kids on a routine helps them adjust to changes in their life more easily. Moreover, alarm clocks help teach responsibility to children and develop independence, so they can wake themselves up and get ready on their own.

What clock shows kids when to wake up?

Before kids learn how to tell time, many parents and caregivers teach them when they can get out of bed using an OK-to-wake clock, such as the LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer . This type of alarm clock is typically for toddlers and young children and uses colors (and sometimes sounds) to alert kids when it’s “OK-to-wake” or time to sleep.

How much sleep do kids need?

The amount of sleep a child needs depends on their age. When children get enough sleep for their age regularly, it promotes optimal health. According to the AASM, the recommended amount of sleep for children, based on a 24-hour period, is: Infants 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours 1 to 2 years of age: 11 to 14 hours 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours

How much does an alarm clock cost?

Alarm clocks on our list range from under $20 up to $90, with price varying on a few factors. For example, the more features an alarm clock boasts, like wireless charging, Bluetooth compatibilty, and more, expect to pay a higher cost.

The 10 Best Alarm Clocks for Kids of 2023

Kids thrive with regular and consistent patterns, including positive wake-up routines. An alarm clock is an essential part of starting the day off on the right foot and should meet a child at their current development stage. Putting a clock in your child’s room can help them learn how to tell time, signal when it’s okay to get out of bed for the day, wake them up for school in the morning, and overall encourage age-appropriate time management skills.

To find the best alarm clocks for kids, we reviewed guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) to learn more about kids’ sleep recommendations and the importance of routines. A family physician on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity around age-appropriate alarm clocks and the best way to evaluate them. With this guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated alarm clocks for kids on the market and considered their design, features, age recommendations, power source, ease of use, and overall value. From toddler alarm clocks to options for teens, our top picks fit a range of budgets and kids of all ages.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Hatch Portable Dream Machine at Amazon

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Best for Toddlers:

Pottery Barn Wake Up Clock at Potterybarnkids.com

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Best OK-to-Wake:

LittleHippo Mella at Amazon

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Best Learning:

The Learning Journey Teaching Time Clock at Amazon

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Best Digital:

Peakeep Smart Night Light Digital Alarm Clock at Amazon

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Best With Light:

Exlush Aurora Light Alarm Clock at Amazon

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Best for Tweens:

Uplayteck Wake Up Light Alarm Clock at Amazon

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Best Analog:

Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock at Amazon

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Best for Teens:

Colsur Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charger at Amazon

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Best Sunrise:

JALL Alarm Clock at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen Portable Dream Machine

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Babylist.com View On Best Buy

Pros

8-hour battery
Alarm clock, night light, and soothing noises
Control from phone

Cons

Must have Wi-Fi to adjust settings

The Hatch Rest+ is downright impressive with its versatile design, which is why it earns the top spot on our list. It’s an alarm clock, sound machine, and night light all in one compact device. While you need Wi-Fi to control the Hatch Rest+, you can choose night light colors, soothing sounds, like white noise, heartbeat, rain, lullabies, and more through the brand’s corresponding “Rest” app. Plus, you can set up a light and sound combination to act as a wait-to-wake clock for toddlers.

We appreciate the easy-to-read digital clock on the front of the device and the option to dim (or turn off) the display’s brightness. The Hatch Rest+ includes a charging base that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. However, you can use it without the cord for up to 8 hours, thanks to a backup battery—a handy feature for power outages or portability needs.

Bonus? The Hatch Rest+ allows you to connect to more than one device and control them simultaneously through the app.

Price at time of publication: $90

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 5.04 x 5.04 x 6.82 inches | Power Source: Corded electric (with or without) | Display: Digital}

Pottery Barn Kids

View On Potterybarnkids.com

Pros

Bunny "face" lights up different colors
Tells time and temperature on display
Vibration mode

Cons

One color option

This adorable bunny-shaped clock from Pottery Barn Kids will surprise you. It boasts a sleek design with features you won’t expect, like a night light, temperature indicator, vibration and audio modes, and more. We appreciate the digital display that shows both the time and temperature of the room. To control the night light, which runs from 1 to 60 minutes, touch a button between the bunny’s ears. You can adjust the brightness of the night light by pressing the bunny's ear or from your phone using the clock’s corresponding (and optional) app.

Price at time of publication: $59

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.25 x 3.75 inches | Power Source: USB cable with lithium battery | Display: Digital}

LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Macy's

Pros

Cute design
Five volume settings
Nap timer setting

Cons

Must plug in to work

The LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Alarm Clock is simply adorable with its multiple color options, round feet, and happy face. It has a digital display that shows the time, a sun and a moon icon to help your little one determine if it’s day or night, and a happy face that falls asleep and wakes up at preset times to encourage your child to do the same.

This OK-to-wake clock also has a colorful light feature that shines one color to signal it’s okay for kids to get out of bed and play quietly in their room, or it turns to a different color to let them know when they can leave their room. Parents and caregivers control these settings, so you can determine what works best for your family. There are six light color options to choose from, three brightness levels, and an optional audible alarm clock. Additionally, the clock can serve as a night light, sound machine, and nap timer.

Price at time of publication: $65

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.25 x 4.5 inches | Power Source: USB plug/corded electric | Display: Digital}

The Learning Journey Super Telly Teaching Time Clock

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Belk.com

Pros

Two learning modes
Analog and digital clocks
Batteries included

Cons

Hands move in one direction (can be frustrating for eager kids)

Meet Super Telly: an alarm clock that teaches kids how to tell time. Super Telly features both analog and digital formats using two teaching modes, learning and quiz. Move Super Telly’s hands while in learning mode to hear the superhero teach time in five-minute increments on the simple-to-read LCD screen. When kids are ready to put their new skills to the test, switch to quiz mode, where Super Telly asks kids to move clock hands to match the time they see on the digital screen.

In addition to a learning experience, Super Telly is also a real working alarm clock and helps kids, ages 3 to 6, set their own alarm. Plus, this fun pick also features a night light kids can quickly press in the middle of the night for comfort.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: Not listed | Power Source: 3 AA batteries | Display: Analog and digital}

Peakeep Smart Night Light Digital Alarm Clock

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Pros

Built-in soft light
Snooze button available
Indoor temperature gauge monitor

Cons

Batteries not included
Time may be off upon different resets

Sleek, simple, with a splash of color, the Peakeep Digital Alarm Clock displays the time, inside temperature, and alarm time on the front. It has a sensor that triggers a soft light around the display in the dark and can be set to high, low, or totally off so that it won’t keep your kid up at night.

When the alarm goes off, it will gradually beep faster for 90 seconds before it shuts itself off, and it has a snooze button for those mornings your kid needs just a little extra sleep. The alarm clock runs on three AAA batteries (not included) and is available in a variety of colors.

Price at time of publication: $19

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 5.25 x 2 x 3 inches | Power Source: 3 AAA batteries (not included) | Display: Digital}

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

14 light modes
Multi-alarm sounds
Adjustable volume for radio or white noise

Cons

Display difficult to read in daytime

The Exlush Aurora Light features 14 color options, including warm white to rainbow. Unique technology allows the device to work like a sunrise alarm clock, gradually lighting up over a time period of your choice (10, 20, or 30 minutes) with the touch of a single button. You can play eight different natural sounds, white noise, or FM radio to 16 adjustable volume levels.

We appreciate how you can set two alarms, whether a weekday or weekend wake-up time. User-friendly buttons make it easy to change setting options or hit the snooze button, which gives you an extra 9 minutes of zzz’s. The large screen is the cherry on top for easy visibility, even in the daytime.

Price at time of publication: $48

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.5 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Display: Digital}

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Display has five different color options
Can pair with Bluetooth
Doubles as sound machine

Cons

No snooze button
Only one alarm can be set at once

As children get older, they might struggle to wake up early or display other sleep issues. Luckily, this Uplayteck alarm clock can help. Your kid can change the look of this clock easily because the display has five different color options and three brightness settings that they can switch up whenever they want.

The digital display shows the time, indicates whether or not the alarm is set (and for what time), a power icon to keep track of battery life, as well as a variety of other icons for when the clock is tethered to a device via Bluetooth or serving as a speaker. It also doubles as a sound machine with four soothing noise options and features a snooze button that also functions as a “pause” button when the clock is in speaker mode.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎4.5 x 3 x 4.3 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Display: Digital}

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Basic, easy-to-use alarm clock
Works well for heavy sleepers
Non-ticking hands

Cons

Light only stays on when you press button

This vintage twin bell alarm clock is a step back in time but with a modern upgrade. We love the non-ticking hands that are silent and won’t keep kids up at night. There’s a button on the back of the analog alarm clock that turns on a light to read the time in the dark. Unfortunately, you have to hold the light button down continuously to make it turn on. Still, the two loud bells make up for it, especially if you have a heavy sleeper in your household.

The Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock is available in more than a dozen colors, including pink, green, rainbow, and more. Plus, it only takes one AA battery as its power source.

Price at time of publication: $22

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 inches | Power Source: 1 AA battery | Display: Analog}

Colsur Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charger

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Multifunctional (alarm clock, wireless charger, speaker, and more)
Adjustable brightness
Compatible with QI-enabled iOS and Android devices

Cons

Lowest brightness setting too bright for some

If you’re looking for an alarm clock for teens, the Colsur Digital Alarm Clock meets various needs in one device. This alarm clock doubles as a wireless charger, dual speakers, and adjustable night light and reaps a cool, sleek design that fits in with any teen’s room decor. The LED digital display offers four brightness options, 16 volume levels, and a snooze button for when teens want that extra 5 minutes of sleep.

This Colsur alarm clock is compatible with all QI-enabled (the wireless charging standard for cell phones) Android and iOS smartphones. It connects to Bluetooth, so teens can play their favorite songs through dual wireless speakers. The handle of the alarm clock doubles as an adjustable night light and allows portability anywhere.

Price at time of publication: $57

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.5 inches | Power Source: Corded electric (rechargeable) | Display: Digital}

4.3

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

20 brightness levels
Nine-minute snooze button
FM radio

Cons

Button may be difficult to use for some

With this alarm clock, you get the option of waking up to a traditional alarm with seven sound options or a sunrise simulator light that gradually brightens over 10, 20, or 30 minutes. The clock’s light has seven different colors and 20 brightness levels and can serve as a night light in addition to the sunrise simulator.

It features a nine-minute snooze button that can be pressed up to five times, an FM radio, and a digital time display on the front. It has a ton of functions so it’s great for someone looking for more than just a standard alarm clock.

Price at time of publication: $60

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 3.5 x 7.2 x 7.2 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Display: Digital}

How We Selected the Best Alarm Clocks for Kids

To find the best alarm clocks for kids, we spent hours researching more than 40 products available on the market. We started our research by reviewing guidelines from the HHS on the importance of routines and the AASMon the recommended amount of sleep for children. We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings and researched reviews from customers and competitors.

Next, we narrowed down our list to the 10 top-rated alarm clocks for kids. When reviewing products, we considered design, ease of use, power source, size, type of display, features, and overall value. With guidance from the HHS and AASM, we researched the best alarm clocks for kids that are easy to use for various ages.

What to Look for in an Alarm Clock for Kids

Display Style

There are several options for clock displays, such as classic analog (one with moving hands and numbers 1 to 12), digital, a combination of the two, or a multifunctional display that includes the date, weather, or other key information for the day.

When picking out a clock for your child, use your best judgment to determine the right display type for their age. For example, opt for an OK-to-wake clock for toddlers, such as the LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer, that lets them know when it’s safe to get out of bed (since they’re not reading time at this age). For younger kids who are learning how to tell time, look for a combination clock that encourages their studying, like the Super Telly Teaching Time Clock, which features both analog and digital time readings with two learning modes.

Older kids who can tell the time may want an analog clock, such as Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock, which they can read independently. On the other hand, tweens and teens will likely appreciate a digital alarm clock with additional features, like wireless charging and Bluetooth speakers to connect their music to (the Colsur Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charger is an option on our list with these features).

Functionality and Ease of Use

Clocks with all of the bells and whistles are cool, but you need to consider whether or not your child can actually use them independently. If an alarm is difficult to set, then your child may struggle actually using it. Likewise, if your kiddo can’t figure out how to turn their alarm off, it could wake up everyone in the house.

If you have a little one in your house who can't yet operate an alarm clock, the Hatch Rest+ is a pick adults will find easy to use—right from their phone.

Alarm Style/Sounds

Determine whether the alarm clock is meant to wake your child up or signal them that it’s okay to leave their room. If it’s an OK-to-wake clock, color coding is best because if the child is still sleeping, the clock won’t wake them up.

For alarm clocks meant to wake your kids from sleep, make sure the device fits the type of sleeper your child is. Kids who are heavy sleepers may need a loud alarm clock to wake them from their deep slumber, while light sleepers may appreciate adjustable volumes or sunrise alarm clocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should a child get an alarm clock?

There’s no specific age at which a child should get an alarm clock. Some parents and caregivers choose to get an OK-to-wake alarm clock for their toddlers to help them know when they can get out of bed at an appropriate time. On the other hand, other adults opt to buy an alarm clock for their kids when their children are older and responsible enough to start independently waking up.
Regardless of when you buy an alarm clock for your child, kids thrive with routines. While it may seem counterintuitive, keeping kids on a routine helps them adjust to changes in their life more easily. Moreover, alarm clocks help teach responsibility to children and develop independence, so they can wake themselves up and get ready on their own.
What clock shows kids when to wake up?

Before kids learn how to tell time, many parents and caregivers teach them when they can get out of bed using an OK-to-wake clock, such as the LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer. This type of alarm clock is typically for toddlers and young children and uses colors (and sometimes sounds) to alert kids when it’s “OK-to-wake” or time to sleep.
How much sleep do kids need?
The amount of sleep a child needs depends on their age. When children get enough sleep for their age regularly, it promotes optimal health. According to the AASM, the recommended amount of sleep for children, based on a 24-hour period, is:
- Infants 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours
- 1 to 2 years of age: 11 to 14 hours
- 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
- 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
- 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
How much does an alarm clock cost?

Alarm clocks on our list range from under $20 up to $90, with price varying on a few factors. For example, the more features an alarm clock boasts, like wireless charging, Bluetooth compatibilty, and more, expect to pay a higher cost.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son. Katrina loves the Exlush Aurora Light for its sunrise lighting, which creates a positive wake-up for kids of any age.

Additional reporting by:

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old with personal experience researching and purchasing kids' clocks, specifically wait-to-wake clocks. Her key considerations when selecting these recommendations include age-appropriateness, functionality, and purchaser reviews.