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The Best Sleep-Training Clocks to Teach Your Toddler to Stay in Bed

Like traffic lights, these sleep-training clocks use colors to let kids know it's okay to get up and at 'em.

by Dave Baldwin
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
A variety of the best ok-to-wake clocks set against a multi-colored background.

Every parent can struggle in establishing a sleep routine for his child, but the best sleep-training clocks can make this seemingly Sisyphean task easier. These kids’ alarm clocks or OK to wake clocks provide a reassuring nightlight that helps toddlers fall asleep faster and sleep deeper. The next morning, its familiar glow helps keep them in bed until a reasonable hour, which, to a REM-deprived parent, is an inestimable benefit worth just about any price (but trust us, they’re not that expensive relative to their reward).

When selecting a sleep-training clock, pick one that’s child-friendly, cute, and easy to read (translation: the numbers are big and bright). Colors that signify when it’s time to go to bed and time to wake up are also must-have features. Some of our favorites allow you to set specific alarms for specific days depending on your or your child’s schedule. Some of these sleep-training clocks are fancier than others; the top-tier ones connect to your phones via corresponding apps, so you can track bedtimes and even tell your kids it’s time to put away the Legos.

The simpler clocks on this list are ideal for toddlers, while the more complex ones are designed to grow with your child.

The Best OK-to-Wake Clocks

Baby Rest Sound Machine and Time-to-Rise Clock by Hatch
$69.98
OK to Wake! Toddler Clock & Night-Light by Mirari
$32.49
Mella Ready to Rise Children’s Trainer and OK to Wake Clock by LittleHippo

In addition to glowing a pre-set bedtime color, Mella closes its little digital eyelids when it’s time to knock off for the night and glows yellow when it's almost time to get up. Thirty minutes before the wake-up time, it turns yellow to indicate play quietly before an alarm goes off and the clock ⏤ now smiling broadly ⏤ glows green. It has a built-in sound machine with three settings (rain, white noise, and ocean), a nightlight with five colors, a countdown timer for naps and time-outs, and comes in one of four colors

$49
OK to Wake Toddler Clock by My Tot Clock
$49.95
Rest+ Baby Sound Machine, Night Light, Time-to-Rise Plus Audio Monitor by Hatch
$89.99
REMI Ok to Wake Children Clock by UrbanHello
$99.99
Toddler Sleep Trainer and OK to Wake Clock by Big Red Rooster
$29.99
Dream & Shine Toddler Sleep Trainer and OK to Wake Clock by Skip Hop
$26.99
Lumalou Better Bedtime Sleep Trainer and Toddler Clock by Fisher-Price
$75.89
Groclock OK to Wake Clock by Tommee Tippee

To make things as obvious as possible, this OK to wake clock has a screen display that shows stars or the sun, depending on the time of day or night. Sun means it's daytime, stars mean it's sleepy-time. The stars go out one at a time as a silent countdown to bedtime. There's an audible alarm, if you want to use one, and the screen brightness is adjustable. You can set weekday and weekend wakeup times.

$40
Tock OK to Wake Toddler Clock by Learning Resources
$17.30
Night Light and OK to Wake Toddler Clock by LumiPets
$24.99
Bunny Night Light and OK to Wake Toddler Clock

The bunny's face lights up, and the rabbit itself has several modes: Wake mode, nap mode, and sleep mode. It doubles as a night light. You charge is via USB, and its face lights up to indicate what your child should be doing. Red means stay in bed. Green means time to get up. And it's controlled via the corresponding app.

$49
KidsAlarm OK to Wake Clock by Kookoo
$79.90

The Best Kids’ Alarm Clocks

Rest Mini Smart Sound Machine by Hatch
$39.99
Alarm Clock on Wheels by Clocky
$39.99
Flip Plus Reversible LCD Alarm Clock by Lexon
$39.90
Restore Night Light and Alarm Clock by Hatch
$129.99
Echo Glow Kids’ Alarm Clock
$29.99
Light Up Unicorn Digital Kids' Alarm Clock

This dreamy sleep training clock has a face that lights up to display the date, time and temperature. It's made of plastic and silicone, has a snooze button, and eight different alarm songs. To make sure your kid really does get out of bed. It runs on three AAA batteries.

$39
Light Up Dinosaur Kids' Alarm Clock

For kids favoring a more prehistoric vibe, this clock shows the date, time, and temperature. Kids can see the time, as well as the month, date, temperature. They can hit snooze and choose between eight different alarm songs. It's battery-operated.

$39
Anmones Rabbit Night Light & Alarm Clock
$29.99

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