The 9 Best Alarm Clocks for Kids of 2023
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They double as sound machines, voice assistants, and more
The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang
A reliable alarm clock should be a staple in any growing child's bedroom—and not just to ensure they get up and out of the house in time. An alarm clock can help teach kids about appropriate wake-up times and how to tell time. It can even help them keep track of what day of the week it is.
To help you pick the best alarm clock for the stage your kid is in—toddlers have different needs than, say, tweens—we researched countless models of alarm clocks and considered each model's unique features, alarm sounds, display styles, and overall functionality. We also consulted Dr. Shelby Harris, who's board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and the former director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center, for her insights. Dr. Harris noted that alarm clocks should not be used to force a child out of bed before they’re ready, as sleep deprivation can have negative effects on their sleep schedule.
An alarm clock can, instead, add to your daily routine by providing white noise, sunrise features, and more. Our favorites have easy-to-read digital displays, but are sophisticated enough to grow up with your child. If you’re on the hunt for something more budget-friendly, we’ve got a fun, colorful option that’ll do the trick, too—plus a host of other kids’ alarm clocks to meet varying needs.
Best Overall: Hatch Rest+
The Hatch Rest+ gives children the chance to wake each morning gently.
What We Like
Schedule multiple sleep programs
Customizable nightlight
Doubles as a sound machine
What We Don't Like
Mostly controlled by smartphone app
Wi-Fi needed for app controls
Our top pick for an alarm clock for a little one is the Hatch Rest+. It will help your child wake up more gently each morning and after each nap. It’s equipped with a special time-to-rise feature that gradually brightens its light over time, signaling it's time to start the day or wake up from a restful slumber.
But, that’s not all there is to love about this alarm clock: it’s packed with other standout features that are all available through an intuitive companion app called the Hatch app. In the compatible app, you can easily program and control multiple alarms—one for naptime and one for bedtime—with a few simple clicks. You can even pair the clock with an Amazon Alexa, so you can make any changes at a moment’s notice with voice commands.
Here’s what parents love most, though: The unit also functions as a sound machine, thanks to 11 built-in soothing sounds to help your kiddo fall asleep, and stay asleep through the night. Plus, a 10-shade customizable nightlight helps children who are scared of the dark or like to read before bed. It gives them a softly illuminated space to relax in. A few downsides to the Hatch Rest+? The feature-packed alarm clock does need Wi-Fi so it can connect to the app, where most advanced and customizable controls live. You can turn the nightlight and sound features on and off via the silver ring at the top of the clock, and complete other basic controls using buttons at the base—but, you will rely on a smartphone otherwise.
However, given how many features the app is jam-packed with and how reliable and high-quality this clock is, we think it’s the best choice for most.
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 6 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best Budget: AnRuk Digital Alarm Clock
What We Like
Comes in multiple colors
Can set two separate alarms
Gradual wake-up feature
What We Don't Like
Design may not be suitable for older kids
Not sure exactly what your child’s needs are yet? Rather than splurge on a pricier model with all of the bells and whistles, opt for something like this toddler and wallet-friendly pick. It’s a fraction of the price of other kids’ alarm clocks, but it still has an impressive array of features, including an easy-to-read digital display and even sunrise and sunset simulation. When it’s time to go to bed, the lights slowly dim; when it’s time to wake, the lights get progressively brighter.
You can also set two different alarms—perfect for families who want a weekday and a weekend option. And if your kiddo needs a little bit more sleep one morning? A five-minute snooze button easily affords them that flexibility. The cute dinosaur design, available in a range of colors, is a nice bonus, too. Though, it may not be suitable for older kids.
Price at time of publish: $18
Dimensions: 4.76 x 4.76 x 3.7 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best Digital: I·CODE Time to Wake Alarm Clock for Kids
What We Like
Easy symbols for little kids to understand
Doubles as a sound machine
Multiple brightness settings
What We Don't Like
Prone to premature wear
Sleep training will be a breeze with the I·Code Time to Wake Alarm Clock for Kids. In addition to the time of day, the digital clock also shows an image of the sun or the moon, depending on the hour. Even kids who can’t yet tell time will learn to recognize when it is time to go to sleep, and when the day can begin.
Kids who are afraid of the dark will appreciate the clock’s multiple nightlight settings, too. There are even multiple color options to delight little ones. Of course, you can set the lights to various brightness settings to keep the mood ripe for sleeping. Also helpful: a built-in sound machine is equipped with 17 high-quality, soothing sounds, including thunder, ocean waves, rain, summer night, and more.
Just note, after six months to a year, you may encounter some wear and tear issues. Consider this more budget-friendly alarm clock a gateway to a more advanced option, should your child take to the idea of having their own alarm clock.
Price at time of publish: $35
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best for Toddlers: Pottery Barn Wake Up Clock
This cute bunny clock from Pottery Barn Kids is the right amount of whimsy and function for any child's room.
What We Like
"Okay to wake" feature
Adjustable nightlight settings
Gives you environmental stats
What We Don't Like
One color option
Minimal adjustable functions
Does it get any cuter than this bunny clock from Pottery Barn Kids? It’s just the right amount of whimsy and function for any child's room, making it a great choice for toddlers. However, it’s not all about aesthetics. This digital alarm clock has an easy-to-read display that showcases stats, like environmental temperatures. Parents of toddlers love the “okay to wake” feature, too. The clock glows red when it’s time for bed, yellow when it’s almost time to wake up, and green when it’s okay to get up and ready for the day. The alarm clock also offers conveniences like vibration and audio modes, and even connects to Google Play.
Unfortunately, this clock isn’t as adjustable and customizable as some others on the market, like our Best Overall. While there are limited color and brightness settings, there is some flexibility in the color and longevity of the nightlight. Touch the bunny ears to run the nightlight from one to 60 minutes.
Price at time of publish: $59
Dimensions: 4.25 x 5.5 x 3.75 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best Sunrise: JALL Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock
An inexpensive and effective alarm clock that won't elevate your cortisol levels first thing in the morning.
What We Like
Multiple light simulations
Seven alarm sounds
Can be used as reading lamp
What We Don't Like
Buttons can be confusing
The Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock for Kids is a relatively inexpensive and effective alarm clock that will wake up your little one peacefully first thing in the morning. It’s also a bit more elevated than other options that are like it, making it a suitable choice for the long-haul. Even picky tweens won’t have much to complain about when it comes to style.
Our editors love that the sunrise light simulation increases brightness from 10 percent to 100 in the span of 30, 20, and 10 minutes before the alarm sounds. The result is a smoother transition out of bed each morning. You can also set up two alarms: one for weekdays, one for weekends. Plus, you can use the device as a nightlight or reading lamp at bedtime. All this functionality is adjustable with the push of a button. Navigating the device is a bit tricky, but will surely get less confusing with time.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 3.5 x 7.2 x 7.2 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best Compact: Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen with Clock
What We Like
Doubles as speaker and voice assistant
Child filter through Amazon Alexa app
Simple design is good for teens and tweens
What We Don't Like
Kids feature is a monthly fee
The Amazon Echo Dot is a staple in a lot of homes, because it doubles as a voice assistant and a speaker. But, what you might not know is the brand also makes a kid-friendly option that makes a great alarm clock for your little one. Available in multiple colors, a simple toggle is all it takes to switch the Echo Dot into a special kids' mode (monthly fee required). This limits Amazon Alexa's controls, all while providing stimulating activities for your child to do when they are in their room, like listen to audiobooks or play interactive games.
The clock also provides the option of multiple alarms and timers, which can be seen through an LED display kids will have no trouble with. On the downside, the overall aesthetic isn’t quite as child-like as others. Though, this may be a positive if you’re shopping for a tween or teen, or just want something that can grow with your little one. We also like how the compact design can fit seamlessly into any room design or size. You can even take it with you when you travel.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best for Tweens: CLOCKY Alarm Clock on Wheels
What We Like
Makes it almost impossible to miss your alarm
Comes in fun colors
Can only snooze once
What We Don't Like
Loud tone may disrupt other family members
Only battery-powered
Do you have a tween that’s exceptionally difficult to rouse? Or maybe they have a tendency to yell at you when you gently remind them their alarm for school went off 10 minutes ago? Enter Clocky, a unique alarm clock on wheels. The whole thing rolls off the nightstand and around the room blaring an exceptionally loud alarm until your sleepy tween gets up and out of bed to turn it off. And, the snooze button only works once, so they can’t keep turning it off.
We love that the clock comes in all kinds of fun colors, too. Plus, it has a large digital display that’s easy to read—even from all the way across the room. Unfortunately, the very loud noises may mean disrupting other sleeping family members. It also runs on batteries to allow it the flexibility to move about the room, which isn’t as convenient as a cord that’s a continuous power source.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 1.97 x 1.97 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: 4 AAA batteries
Best Splurge: Loftie Clock
Loftie uses a bi-phase alarm that lulls one from sleep and then gets one out of bed.
What We Like
Wakes you up gently
Wellness content included
Day-of-the-week setting
What We Don't Like
Dual tones can be hard to wake up to
Needs Wi-Fi
The Loftie is a sophisticated option with straightforward functionality. It uses a bi-phase alarm to gently rouse your child from sleep and get them out of bed. The alarm tone and volume are both customizable, so you can choose the one your child finds most tolerable. Plus, the clock has a day-of-the-week setting, so you can set different alarms depending on your need each day. This is ideal for sleeping in on weekends.
Older tweens and teens will also appreciate the Loftie clock’s wellness features. They can engage in things like meditations and sleep stories directly from the device and its corresponding smartphone app. The Loftie alarm clock and app does require Wi-Fi to access these features, but with the right setup your household can make use of these features that aren’t typically found in other kids’ alarm clocks.
Price at time of publish: $149
Dimensions: 2.75 x 6 x 2.75 inches | Display Type: Digital | Power Source: Corded electric
Best Analog: The Learning Journey Super Telly Teaching Time Clock
What We Like
Helps kids learn to tell time
Also functions as a nightlight
Colorful design
What We Don't Like
Only battery-operated
Most clocks are digital these days, but kids can still learn how to read a traditional clock, and this model helps make the task a little easier. Because it’s equipped with both a digital screen and a traditional clock, kids can compare the two, eventually learning how to read the analog version without the help of the digital numbers. For extra help, the clock will even announce the time when you press a button on it. It features two learning modes that encourage kids to tell time by moving the hands on the clock. To test your little one's skills, there’s also a quiz mode that turns the whole learning exercise into a bit of a game.
This clock is not just for learning, though. The clock—which is only operable via batteries—also has a timer, a nightlight, and an alarm clock, making it functional in more ways than one.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.75 x 13.35 inches | Display Type: Digital and analog | Power Source: 3 AA batteries
Final Verdict
The Hatch Rest+ is our top pick for a kids’ alarm clock. It’s easy-to-read, sophisticated enough to grow with your child, and doubles as a sound machine. If you’re looking to spend a little less, the AnRuk Digital Alarm Clock is another good option. Though the design may not be suitable for any older kids, it features conveniences like a gradual alarm and a five-minute snooze button. It also allows you to set two different alarms: one for weekdays and one for weekends.
What to Look for in an Alarm Clock for Kids
Alarm Options
The wake-up sound of an alarm can be jarring for some children. Look for a clock that offers a variety of other sounds to signal that it is time to start the day. Sounds like ocean waves, nature sounds, or gentle instrumental pieces can make a huge difference, and give you some added flexibility on weekday and weekend mornings. In addition to different sounds, see what other alarm options are available, such as a snooze button or “okay to wake” feature that signals to your child when it’s time to play again. Notably, our Best for Toddlers pick, the Pottery Barn Wake Up Clock, features this “okay to wake” feature that uses light signals versus sound.
Power Source
Most alarm clocks feature power cords—which is a big convenience, since you will never find yourself without an alarm clock as long as you have access to an outlet. There are, however, some battery-powered options, which can be convenient for travel or power outages, such as our Best for Tweens pick, the Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels (which also needs batteries since it moves about a room). Just note: you’ll want to make sure you have extra batteries on hand at all times, otherwise you won’t have an alarm clock until you buy replacements.
Style and Design
Design and style of an alarm clock is largely dependent on age. Younger kids, especially ones who can’t yet tell time, are more likely to gravitate toward colorful and design-forward options, including the dinosaur-inspired AnRuk Digital Alarm Clock (our Best Budget pick). Older kids and tweens, on the other hand, are more likely to appreciate the more sophisticated options like the Loftie Clock (our Best Splurge pick). Our Best Overall pick, the Hatch Rest+, is a nice happy medium. It’s colorful when you want it to be, but it’s also perfectly understated when you don’t want that extra playfulness.
Standout Features
Nightlight
Younger kids, particularly those who are afraid of the dark, will appreciate an alarm clock that’s equipped with a nightlight. For maximum flexibility, look for an option that has multiple colors and brightness settings, so you can dim it to suit your child’s needs and preferences.
Sound Machine
Some of the best kids’ alarm clocks also double as a sound machine to help them fall asleep and stay asleep. Look for options with multiple settings—including our Best Overall, the Hatch Rest+—so you can pick between white noise, rain, waves, and more.
Remote Control
A remote control is a nice bonus, since it allows you to operate the alarm clock without getting out of bed. In lieu of a remote, some alarm clocks have compatible smartphone apps that allow you to set alarms and change settings, like colors and brightness, from another room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are alarm clocks good for kids?
Putting an alarm clock in your child’s room not only helps them learn how to tell time, but can also help them understand when it’s time to sleep and when it’s okay to wake up—a process some refer to as sleep training. The process puts the child on a set schedule with the hopes of them getting consistent sleep, depending on their needs.
No matter your child's age, sleep deprivation is one of the biggest reasons a child cannot stay on a consistent sleep schedule, notes Dr. Shelby Harris, who's board-certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and the former director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center. "Sleep deprivation can worsen sleep quality and quantity and backfire overall," she explains. So, don’t use an alarm clock to force a child out of bed before they’ve had adequate rest.
What is the best alarm to wake up kids?
While a loud tone may be your best bet for getting a child up and out of bed quickly, these sounds can be jarring to young children, since they are generally more sensitive to things like loud noises. Instead, look for an alarm clock that offers gentler sounds—like ocean waves, nature sounds, or instrumental pieces, including our Best Overall pick, the Hatch Rest+.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products, including kids’ gear and electronics. To curate this list, Brigitt scoured the most popular retailers to find the best, most highly-rated options. Then, she vetted each, reading all of the specs and hundreds of reviews. She consulted experts like Dr. Shelby Harris, who's board-certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and the former director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center, as well.
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