Looking for the best Okay to Wake Clock to encourage your child to sleep a little later? Check out our list of the 5 best Okay to Wake Clocks and why we love them.

okay to wake clock next to girl sleeping

If your toddler is waking up too early in the morning or struggling with middle-of-the-night wakings, then an okay to wake clock can do wonders for their sleep.

I’m a huge fan of okay to wake clocks for young children because it helps them understand when it’s time for sleep and when it’s time to start the day.

Keep reading to learn more about why you may want to use an okay to wake clock for your child and see some of my favorite toddler alarm clocks on the market.

Want a way to incentivize your toddler or preschooler to stay in their bed all night long? Grab our Reward Chart and use it to help your toddler stay motivated. Get the free download here.

Hatch Rest okay to wake clock on next to crib

In A Nutshell

I have tested multiple okay to wake clocks and my favorite one continues to be the Hatch Rest. It is the most customizable and the easiest one to use.

The app feature makes it the best option when your toddler is waking up too early and you need to create new habits.

It is on the pricier end, but I think it’s worth it for its functionality and ease of use.

Best Okay to Wake Clocks

Here is our breakdown of the 5 best okay to wake clocks.

Hatch okay to wake clock on table

Hatch Rest

We have had the Hatch Rest for more than 4 years now in our daughter’s room and I love this thing so much!

Features:

  • Okay to rise light
  • Sound machine
  • Night light
  • Programmable via app
  • Toddler lock
  • Digital clock on some models
  • Fully customizable

I love that I can control everything via the app on my phone. If we have a late night, I can adjust her light to turn on a little later the next morning in hopes that she’ll sleep in.

The Hatch also has a toddler lock on it, so older kids can’t adjust the light or color on their own. Once your program is “locked” there’s no changing it unless you’re using the app.

You can also pre-program favorite color and sound combos in advance and easily turn those on by gently tapping the top of the Hatch.

There are multiple color and sound options available. Make sure to stick with red or orange colors during sleep time, as those are the best for sleep.

Now that our daughter is older, we let her choose her wakeup color (purple), which also gives her some autonomy.

We had an issue with the Hatch at one point and their support team replaced it no questions asked.

The only qualm I have and have heard with the Hatch is the quality of some of the sounds. Their white noise isn’t nearly as soothing as other sound machines I’ve tested. But my daughter doesn’t seem too mind, so neither do I.

They have the Hatch Rest and the Rest Plus, and while the Rest Plus has a few additional features, I think the Hatch Rest does the trick!

mom reading book as part of bedtime routine with YogaSleep okay to rise clock on nightstand

YogaSleep Light to Rise

You guys know I am a huge fan of all the YogaSleep sound machines.

I have loved and used their classic Dohm sound machine for years. So I was beyond excited to see that they had an okay to wake clock at a much lower price point than the Hatch.

Features:

  • Okay to wake clock
  • 30 different dounds
  • Night light
  • Sleep timer
  • Digital clock
  • Programmable in advance

My biggest complaint with the Hatch are the sounds, so I’m beyond excited that this has the classic Dohm sound and all the similar features of the popular toddler alarm clock.

The YogaSleep Light to Rise just launched in Feb 2023. I did get one to test and can tell you that it works very similarly to the Hatch, but without the app or WiFi connection.

I know some parents prefer a toddler alarm clock without WiFi connection, so this is a great choice.

It has a digital clock on it, multiple white-noise sound options that are so soothing, a red night light, and the okay to wake light feature.

While I didn’t find it as easy-to-use as the Hatch, it still offers similar features and is a great option for those looking for a toddler alarm clock without a WiFi connection.

Little Hippo Mella toddler alarm clock

Mella Toddler Alarm Clock

The Mella by Little Hippo is the cutest little okay to wake clock there is, while being packed with plenty of features.

Features:

  • Okay to rise light
  • Digital clock
  • Nightlight
  • Play time color
  • Alarm clock sound
  • Sound machine

The main difference in the Mella than some of the other options on this list is the “play” feature.

Thirty minutes before your child’s designated wakeup time, the clock turns yellow indicating to your child that they can wake up and quietly play.

Some parents love this, including parents with special needs kids who are working on independence, while other parents wish this feature was adjustable.

I was gifted a Mella and personally found this light simple enough to use, but still prefer the ease and customization of the Hatch.

PlayMonster OK to Wake Clock Education, 3+, Multi

Mirari Okay to Wake!

This adorable clock is in a cute green design that kids will love. This okay to wake clock is one of the more budget-friendly options there is and it gets the job done.

Features:

  • Digital clock
  • Nightlight
  • Okay to rise light

The biggest selling point for the Mirari clock is the lower price point and the fact that it operates on batteries. This makes traveling with your toddler much easier.

You can bring this okay to wake clock with you and not have to worry about plugging it in, or even use it when you might not have outlets around. (Perfect for camping!).

If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills okay to wake clock that does the trick, this may be the perfect one for you.

Echo Glow - Multicolor smart lamp | Works with Alexa device

Echo Glow

The Echo Glow pairs with an Amazon Echo device to provide similar customization options as the Hatch.

If you already own an Echo Dot or Echo Show, this may be a great option.

Features:

  • Nightlight
  • Okay to rise
  • Multiple light options

The Echo Glow is a smart lamp that pais with your Echo. While it lacks the sound machine, it does offer a lot of options for lighting.

It can be controlled via the Alexa app or with your voice.

You can set routines and timers on it and even have the light feature gradually adjust as your child is waking up.

This is a less expensive alternative that still has plenty of customizations and could be a great tool to help your toddler stay in bed when it’s time.

Tips for Using an Okay to Wake Clock

Once you’ve chosen which okay to wake clock is best for your family, follow these tips to have success with it!

Set up the Clock

Set up the clock well in advance of bedtime. Get familiar with it before you plan on using it as part of your child’s bedtime routine. You can introduce your child to the clock as you set it up during the day.

Introduce the Clock to Your Toddler

Make sure to get your child involved in this process. If your toddler alarm clock is coming in the mail, let them open the package and get excited about it.

If you’re going to purchase one at a store, take them with you and let them hold onto it in the cart. Kids love to have autonomy over things, so give it to them!

Unbox the okay to wake clock at home and explain to your child how it will be used. Then you can go into role playing with them using the clock.

Role Play Using the Clock

After you’ve introduced your child to the clock, it’s time to role play!

Have your child pretend to be asleep, see the clock and that it’s not time to wakeup yet, and have them pretend to go back to sleep. Then, switch roles and you do the same.

Start Small

If your toddler has been struggling with waking up too early, start small.

Say your child has been waking up at 5:30 a.m. every morning, set the clock for 5:35 a.m. that first day as the wakeup time. You want your child to get quick wins so they can really stick with it.

Each day you can move the time up 5 to 10 minutes until you reach your new desired wakeup time.

Be extremely consistent with the clock, even on the weekends. If you let your child come out one time when the clock is still “sleeping,” you better believe they’ll never forget it.

With time and consistency, your child will learn to look at the clock upon waking up to see if it’s time to start their day.

Finally, make sure to offer lots of positive reinforcement when your child follows the clock and stays in their room until it’s time to wake up!

toddler sleep training

Frequently Asked Questions About Okay to Wake Clocks

Do Okay to Wake Clocks Work?

Okay to wake clocks absolutely work.

Young kids have no concept of time, so giving them a concrete way to know when it’s time to wake up can be extremely helpful.

I have helped lots of toddler and preschooler parents introduce an okay to wake clock and establish healthy sleep boundaries with their children.

What Age Should You Start Using An Okay to Wake Clock?

Young children have no concept of time, so a concrete visual of when it’s time to sleep and when it’s okay to wake up can be extremely helpful for them.

You can introduce a toddler alarm clock around 2 to 3 years old, or right before you prepare to make the crib to toddler bed transition.

It can be helpful to introduce the toddler alarm clock while your baby is still sleeping in a crib so they get used to seeing the light move from red to green while waiting for you to get them in the morning.

If you try to introduce it much younger, your baby may not grasp the concept.

What is the Best Color for An Okay to Wake Clock?

One mistake I see parents making frequently is letting their kids choose the color that the light will be at night time.

The best color for sleeping is red or amber tones. When using an okay to rise clock, make sure to set it for warm colors such as red or orange at night.

Blue or cool-toned colors can actually inhibit the production of Melatonin and interfere with sleep.

I recommend letting your child choose the color for their wake up time instead. You can also do green for go for when it’s time to wakeup for the day.

If you have any questions about using an okay to wake clock with your child, leave them in the comments below.

Amy Motroni

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