Updated November 2025 by Gemma Coe, Sleep Specialist
What is a Gro Clock (and is a toddler clock the same?)
Considering using a gro clock or toddler clock? Perhaps you’ve just bought a Gro Clock or you’ve had one gathering dust because it didn’t seem to work, you’re in the right place! Here’s how to set it up and actually make it part of your toddler’s sleep success story.
There are many toddler clocks available on the market at the moment. One of the most popular in the UK is the Gro Clock by Tommee Tippee (previously the Gro Company). Featuring Ollie the Owl or originally a star and sun, its digital clock display helps children learn to tell time while also serving as a visual indicator for when it’s appropriate to wake up or stay in bed. There are also other clocks available like the Zeepy, and some of the fancier nightlights such as Hatch also combine this feature now too, showing a different colour in the morning.
Whichever make and model you’ve got, the principles remain the same. They can be very helpful for resolving early morning waking, bedtime delays and getting out of bed at night.
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Benefits of Using a Gro Clock or Toddler Clock
Using a toddler clock can have numerous benefits for your child’s sleep and development. One of the primary advantages is that it helps children understand the concept of time and develop a routine. By setting routine wake-up times, your child will learn to associate the clock with waking up and going to bed, making it easier to establish a consistent sleep schedule.
Additionally, a toddler clock can help reduce early morning waking and bedtime delays. By teaching your child to wait for the clock to indicate wake-up time, you can encourage them to stay in bed and sleep for longer periods. This can lead to improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue for both children and parents.
Another benefit of using a visual cue like this is that it may help with naptime wake-up times. By setting the clock to indicate when it’s time to wake up from a nap an older child may be able to me more independent.
When and why to introduce a toddler clock
When choosing a Gro Clock or toddler clock, there are several factors to consider.
A feature to consider is the colours. Particularly any blue clock face features. A blue clock face for me is a no-go. The cooler colours such as blues and cool whites can disrupt the production of the hormone melatonin that helps us feel sleepy. Check out brands with a yellow background.
Warmer colours are better and can be soothing and calming, making it easier for your child to wind down at night. Some Gro Clocks also feature an owl that appears awake or asleep, which can help your child understand the concept of day and night.
It’s also essential to consider the screen brightness of the clock. A clock with adjustable screen brightness settings can be set to a comfortable level for your child’s room, reducing the risk of disrupting their sleep.
Just for ease, it may be worth going with a more up to date clock that works with most usb plugs making them easier to take when travelling.
When should I start using a sleep training clock?
Most families get a sleep training clock (also known as ok to wake clocks) around about the age of 2-3 years old. It’s not suitable for a younger child or baby as the concept needs to be understood.
They’re particularly helpful for families experiencing problems with early morning waking or their toddler getting out of bed. Your little one may also be interested in nighttime or calling out to you in the morning about whether they can get up and out of bed.
Between 2-3 years of age, children’s development is really quite different, so only you will know if your child is ready for one or not. For it to remain a useful tool, the most important thing to do is to use it in a way that is realistic and achievable for your child.
Step-by-step: How to set up your gro clock
First and foremost, take some time to read the manufacturer’s recommendations. The newer models have a variety of different settings.
Place it where your child can see it from their bed, but preferably not touch it after lights out (they soon work out how to change the settings!). A shelf, or on top of a chest of drawers would do nicely.
Let’s hope it’s got adjustable brightness settings. Then turn that blue light OFF!!! Some of the older models have an awful blue backlight at night. As I mentioned earlier, blue light can affect melatonin production (the hormone that helps us sleep). If you’ve got this model, keep reducing the brightness until it goes completely off at night.
Spend time in the day talking to your child about the clock and both day and night. Particularly younger toddlers will need to understand what it is before we introduce it at bedtime. Some gro clocks come with a little story book which is great.
Pick a realistic wake time! If they’ve always woken at 5, this is NOT going to solve your issues straight away. It’s a slow and gradual process. Simply plugging it in and setting it for 7am isn’t going to get them on a new routine! (More about this below).
Can an OK-to-wake clock help sleep train my toddler?
Yes. Eventually!
This is a slow and steady process…used to resolve early waking and pushing back their wake up time or getting out of bed. Some families choose to use it as a nap timer too (if you want to then the same rules apply).
Why toddler clocks matter
Toddlers and young children don’t have the concept of time that we do as adults. We need to use a visual cue to help them understand our expectations. This is where a sleep trainer clock can help break down something quite complex (such as an ordinary clock), making it easy for a child to understand it’s time to sleep and wake up times.
You may also be able to introduce easy to understand rules such as stay in bed or keep your eyes closed. For this – see my flashcards too – perfect for this age group!
From about 2.5-3 years of age fears of the dark can also start to hinder the bedtime routine and be the cause of some night wakes. If this is the case for you, then you may also want to choose a wake clock that has a night light feature (aim for reds and warmer colours).
How do I use an OK-to-wake clock?
For those of you with a colour clock let’s break down what we expect into small and achievable expectations, for example:
“Red means bed!”
“Green means go!”
For those of you with an animal based clock:
“When the owl is sleeping, you need to close your eyes and stay quiet”
“When the owl appears awake or the sun is up you can get out of bed and come for a cuddle!”
The Hatch Machine has a built in toddler clock element
How to use a Gro clock sleep trainer for early morning waking
This is probably the biggest reason why people use the clock.
Try to think about the time your child woke up the last 5 mornings and take an average. For this example, let’s say it’s 5:10AM
For the first 2 days we’re going to set the clock to wake EARLIER! (sorry!) So, 5AM in this example. I really want them to achieve this goal and get such an instant sense of achievement because we made it easy for them to do. You get to celebrate too and it sets things off on a good note.
The next 2 days we return to the old wake time of 5:10AM
Then 5:15
Then 5:20
You get it…every couple of days, we’ll move the clock 5 minutes later. Continue with the rewards, praise and high 5’s.
What’s an alternative to a sleep trainer clock?
If you don’t want to buy a dedicated toddler clock, a colour-changing smart bulb is a brilliant alternative that I recommend to many of my 1:1 clients. They’re inexpensive, fit into any bedside lamp, and use simple traffic light colours that toddlers find much easier to understand than symbols on a screen.
Smart bulbs also have a few extra advantages:
• You can control them from outside the bedroom
This is perfect for mornings when your little one wakes 10 minutes before the “official wake-up time”. If they’ve had a great night, you can quickly turn the light green from the landing so they get that sense of achievement without going back to sleep.
• Flexible holiday and travel schedules
Most smart bulbs let you set routines or timers, which is ideal when you’re away and want the house to look occupied for safety.
• Fun daytime features
They can switch to “disco mode”, pair with Alexa or Google Home, and sync to music, something toddlers absolutely love outside of sleep times.
• Great for early risers
For children closer to four who naturally wake early (hello, genetically early-bird families!), you can set:
- Amber from 5.30–6.00am: meaning “you can play quietly in your room”
- Green at 6.00am: meaning “you can leave your room and start the day”
Pair this with a small quiet-time toy box in their bedroom (rotate toys every few days), and it gives them independence without waking the rest of the household too soon.
These bulbs are usually inexpensive and easy to find you can pick them up on Amazon or in most high-street homeware shops.
We use these Wiz bulbs at home. Check out my video below!
What if my child wakes up before the toddler clock indicates it’s time to get up?
They may be happy chilling in their bed which is great. They’re still resting. Early waking can also be a genetic trait, so if either parent is an early bird then your little one may be too (sorry!).
If they’re not happy or start to get out of bed then we need to ask ourselves if the clock is set too far in the future as smaller shifts towards our desired morning rise time may be better.
You may want to use silent returns and a ‘nighttime voice’ to return them to bed and explain it’s still nighttime (point to the sleep trainer clock and explain the rules again) and it’s time to sleep. Some children may need a consistent response from parents over a few days before really understanding how the clock works.
They’re still waking early!
If they’re still waking early even after working on this for a couple of weeks then we need to take a look at their sleep needs. They’re quite possibly well rested!
Children in this age group typically need between 10.5-12 hours of sleep each night. If bedtime is 7pm and they’re waking (happy) at 5:30am, then that’s your answer! They’re just a 10.5 hour kiddie. In this case, we’ll need to slowly push bedtime back by 5 mins every couple of nights as we adjust the morning time. We’ll be shifting their whole schedule to achieve a later rise time.
Also, if they remain an early bird then we may just need to shift the rules. When the clock turns then they can get out of bed and play quietly until a parent comes to get them.
Note! If your toddler still takes naps then early waking is also a sign they’re ready to drop their last nap.
Getting out of bed consistently too?
Take a little look at using some other visual techniques such as using bedtime passes. You can even purchase the full kit to use tonight!
Looking for screen-free wind-down ideas? My Bedtime Wind-Down Book for Kids is packed with calming breathing games, gentle yoga, mindful colouring and affirmations – the perfect bedtime toolkit to help children aged 3–8 relax, reconnect, and drift off more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I start using a toddler clock?
I recommend introducing a toddler clock around 2.5–3 years, when children can understand simple rules and visual cues. Some little ones grasp the concept earlier, but it’s usually most effective from age three onwards.
Can a toddler clock help my child sleep through the night?
Yes… when used consistently, toddler clocks can really help. They give a clear visual cue about when it’s time to stay in bed and when it’s OK to wake. You may still have the occasional toilet trip or settle-back, but a wake clock helps toddlers feel more secure and reduces early rising. They can also be used for naps, or for “quiet time” if your child is dropping their nap.
How long does it take for a child to understand a toddler clock?
It varies, but many children respond within a few nights when it’s introduced with clear, age-appropriate explanations. Older preschoolers may understand both the colour cue and digital clock, while younger ones rely purely on the visual “sun” or “wake” signal. Preparation and consistency matter far more than age.
Should I use a reward system with the toddler clock?
That depends on your child. Some toddlers respond brilliantly to simple morning praise, cuddles, high-fives, and positive attention. Others enjoy a small sticker or token as part of their morning routine. The key is to celebrate successes in a way that feels natural and motivating for your child.
Are toddler clocks safe to use in a bedroom?
Yes. Just ensure the clock’s brightness is very low or off overnight, and keep it out of reach so they can’t access wires or cables. A toddler clock is a safe and helpful tool when used as part of a consistent routine.
Can a toddler clock help with bedtime battles?
Absolutely. Toddler clocks reinforce boundaries in a way young children can understand. Paired with a predictable routine and visual supports (such as my bedtime flashcards), they make expectations clearer and reduce power struggles. If bedtime resistance is ongoing, this is a sign to review their routine or check whether they are truly ready for a big bed yet.
How long should the wake-up colour stay on in the morning?
Around 30 minutes works well. If your child wakes shortly after the clock changes, they still get that all-important sense of success. It also gives you flexibility in case they wake slightly early.
How can I help my child stay in bed?
For children aged 3 and up, my bedtime passes can be a useful tool. They give your child a sense of control while still setting limits. Combined with a toddler clock, consistent returns to bed, and a calm bedtime routine, they can make a real difference.
What’s a cheaper alternative to a Gro Clock?
Gro Clocks can be pricey, but there’s a brilliant budget-friendly alternative: a colour-changing smart bulb that works in any bedside lamp. You can set it to red, amber, or green using a simple traffic-light system, and control it from outside the room. It’s easy for toddlers to understand and far more flexible than a traditional sleep trainer clock, especially for early risers or holidays.
Visual cues are great for kids. It helps maintain a consistent flow. Displaying my flashcards in their room is also perfect for helping to reduce bedtime battles during the bedtime routine. Also be mindful of just whether your little one is ready for that big bed or not!
Need help at bedtime too? Check out my 2 hour Bedtime Battles Course.
If you need help at bedtime then you can check out my 2 hour Bedtime Battles Course. Priced at just £47 ($59), the 2 hour course guides you through everything needed to restore bedtimes.
Still need some help?
I’m here to help! I can tailor advice and plans to your family and situation.
I can help establish good sleep bedtime habits and provide tips on how to cope with inevitable nighttime disruptions. I offer tried-and-tested sleep training solutions that are well worth the investment for your whole family.
Have a look at my sleep consultant packages or directly get in touch.
