Best clock for kids

Get your little one the best clock for kids so they can tell when it's time to wake up. Or, they can use it as a night light.

Best clock for kids
(Image credit: @Laura Chouette on Unsplash)

When it comes to buying a clock for kids, there are several different factors to consider. Perhaps you are looking for something educational to help your little ones learn the time. Or perhaps, particularly those of our readers with young children, you are looking for something that can help with sleep training. You may even have older children, looking for something a little more on-trend. Well, fortunately, we’ve put these considerations at the forefront of our buying guide, so you can rest assured you will find a great choice with us.

Our chart-topper clock is the LittleHippo Mella alarm clock, a no-brainer choice for anyone with toddlers. Not only is it super cute, but it also packs plenty of smart features to make sleep training a breeze. Of course, this is best suited to a certain age bracket, so if this is not quite what you’re after, explore our choices a little further – you are sure to be pleased.

Top pick

LittleHippo Mella Alarm Clock

(Image credit: LittleHippo)

LittleHippo Mella alarm clock

Possibly the most adorable clock we’ve ever seen

As our best clock, this is an uber-smart product, great for sleep training without the headaches.

Pros:

  • Sleep-training technology
  • Durable and safe construction
  • Contemporary design
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Instruction manual

Cons:

  • Quite an age-specific clock
  • Not the most affordable option

Could this clock get any cuter? We think not. The LittleHippo Mella alarm clock is an adorable and friendly design that comes with plenty of intelligent features. Using colors and facial expressions, it helps to sleep train your little ones, meaning less hassle for parents. During sleep time, Mella sleeps also, as displayed with a sleeping expression on the clock face. Because of this, your kids know to stay in bed. Then, half an hour before wake-up time, the clock glows a delightful shade of yellow and the clock face will show a playful expression. When wake-up time arrives, Mella’s expression changes to a full-blown smile and the clock lights up green. Time to go! So, with three child-friendly alarm sounds to pick from, plus peaceful sleep sounds and five night-light colors, this clock is ideal for youngsters. 

Best budget

Bernhard Products Wall Clock

(Image credit: Bernhard Products)

Bernhard Products wall clock

Sometimes a simple choice is the best choice

A classic clock that won’t break the bank.

Pros:

  • Precise quartz movements
  • Silent tick
  • Sturdy plastic frame
  • Glass lens
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to hang

Cons:

  • Less suitable for younger children
  • Battery not included

If you’re after a solid no-frills choice, this Bernhard Products wall clock is a no-brainer. At 10 inches in diameter, it’s a bold black-and-white design with precise quartz movements. There is no ticking noise, ideal for light sleepers, and it comes complete with a durable plastic frame and glass lens to prevent excess dust on the clock face. Oh, and because of its simplicity, it’s very easy to hang – use a nail, screw, or small wall hook. It uses a single AA battery, which you will need to provide yourself, and it can be used in a variety of spots thanks to its classic design. Classroom, a child’s bedroom, or even a play area – wherever you place yours, it will look smart and understated. 

For older kids

Mesqool Digital Alarm Clock

(Image credit: Mesqool)

Mesqool digital alarm clock

Sleek and contemporary

With a seven-inch LED display and that much-needed snooze button, this is a teenage dream.

Pros:

  • Seven-inch LED display
  • Brightness dimmer
  • 12- and 24-hour time format
  • Two USB ports
  • Seven night-light colors
  • Outlet-powered

Cons:

  • Batteries for back-up are not included

For teenagers and older children, you want to choose something a little slicker. That’s where the Mesqool digital alarm clock comes in. With a vibrant selection of colored night-lights and a large snooze button, this option comes with neat features such as two USB ports for phone-charging or tablet-charging, a dimming slider to alter the time display’s brightness, and the option to choose 12-hour or 24-hour time modes. Not only does it ooze style, but it is also simple to use, with intuitive controls that both kids and adults can understand. The product is outlet-powered, but, just in case you have a power cut, it does have a space for back-up batteries, meaning your alarm will still go off as usual during a power failure. For this function, you’ll need to provide two of your own AAA batteries.

For learning

OWLCONIC Visual Learning Clock

(Image credit: OWLCONIC)

OWLCONIC visual learning clock

Help your little ones read the time

Suited to children of all abilities and ages, this clock can boost your child’s time-reading skills.

Pros:

  • Helpfully annotated
  • Playful design
  • Color scheme can help with associative learning
  • Easy to clean
  • Silent-sweep movements

Cons:

  • Battery not included

Learning to tell the time needn’t be a drag, especially with this charming OWLCONIC visual learning clock. With helpful annotations, such as ‘quarter past’, ‘half past’, ‘minute’, ‘hour’, etc., this clock is a great educational tool for young children. Suited for kids of all abilities, it is designed with a playful color scheme that can help children to make associations between the numbers and where they are situated. Powered by a standard AA battery (not included with purchase), it has a safe, clear acrylic face that can be efficiently wiped should dust gather on it. Lightweight, the clock can be placed anywhere and is made from a quality, non-toxic plastic with lead-free paint. This is a real asset for home learning. 

For younger kids

Learn & Climb Kids Clock

(Image credit: Learn & Climb)

Learn & Climb kids clock

Parents, you can rest again

With a simple color-coded system in place, kids know if and when to get up.

Pros:

  • LED lights
  • Easy-to-use settings
  • Clear LCD display
  • Two sound levels
  • Outlet-powered
  • Storybook included

Cons:

  • Back-up batteries not included

Are you struggling with your children’s unruly sleeping patterns? If so, this Learn & Climb kids clock is a go-to choice. With easy-to-use controls, it has a child-lock, clear LCD display, and two sound levels for the speaker. So how does it work its magic? Well, the color-changing LED lights signal to your child when it’s bedtime and wake-up time, as well as when it’s nearly wake-up time. As well as this, there is a cool white light that turns on during sleeping hours. To set up, use the simple instruction manual, and for some extra pointers, check out the tip sheet, which lists some tried-and-tested methods for helping kids to sleep. Oh, and did we mention that the purchase comes with a super-cute storybook to help your child wind down at the end of a long day?

Our verdict

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Well, it’s clear there are plenty of great clocks for kids available to choose from, all of which are commendable for their own reasons. That said, we do have a favorite in mind, namely the LittleHippo Mella alarm clock, which is not only an adorable design, but also an absolute dream when it comes to sleep training your little ones. That said, we know some of our readers will have other criteria in mind, and for that we have you covered. 

For those of you looking to purchase a trusty design that’s affordable and doesn’t compromise on quality, we suggest the Bernhard Products wall clock. As for those with style-conscious teenagers, the snooze-friendly Mesqool digital alarm clock is a go-to pick.

But what about those of our readers who need to teach their kids the all-important skill of telling the time? Well, it simply has to be the OWLCONIC visual learning clock. And finally, if you are looking for something created with young kids in mind, particularly those who need to work on their sleep routines, try the Learn & Climb kids clock – you’ll thank us later! 

Why trust us?

At Real Homes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Joseph Bobowicz
Freelance Contributor

Working across digital and print publications, Joseph Bobowicz is a London-born writer obsessed with books, culture, and all things new. When he's not writing about fashion for i-D and the Independent, he's out sourcing the best homewares to incorporate into any humble abode, fixer-upper, or first-time buy alike.