OK-to-Wake Clock
Short answer
An OK-to-wake clock shows a child when they may get up. This free online version turns an old phone or tablet into one: a dim moon means stay in bed, and a bright sun comes up at the wake-up time you set. It can also play brown noise for the first 30 minutes.
Put the phone or tablet out of reach, and keep it plugged in. To leave the clock, press and hold the button at the bottom of the screen.
Stay in bed
Bedtime sound for the whole night
BRW plays brown noise offline with the screen off, and its sleep timer stops the sound for you.
How to Use the OK-to-Wake Clock
1. Set the time the sun comes up. Use the time your child may get out of bed.
2. Choose a sound, or none. Brown or pink noise can play for the first 15 or 30 minutes, then fades out.
3. Press Start the clock. The screen goes dark with a dim moon.
4. Put the device out of reach, and plug it in. A shelf where your child can see it from bed is best.
5. At the wake-up time, the sun comes up with a soft chime. To leave the clock, press and hold the button at the bottom for a moment.
How to Teach Your Child the Clock
Show the sun first. Press Show the sun together in the day, and explain: “When the moon is on, we stay in bed. When the sun comes up, you can get up.”
Start close to now. Set the sun for about the time your child wakes up now. When that works, move it 10–15 minutes later every few days.
Praise the wait. In the morning, notice and praise your child for staying in bed until the sun came up.
Keep it calm. If your child gets up early, take them back to bed quietly, and point to the moon.
What Age Is an OK-to-Wake Clock For?
It works when a child can follow a simple rule like “wait for the sun”. Many parents start when their child moves from a cot to a bed, often between 2 and 3 years old. Every child is different, so try it and see.
To find a good wake-up time and bedtime for your child’s age, use the baby sleep calculator. Children aged 3–5 need 10–13 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps [1].
What This Clock Cannot Do
The screen must stay on. Most current browsers keep the screen on while the clock is open. Some phones still dim or lock. Test it for one night before you rely on it, and keep the device plugged in.
Light. The moon screen is dark, but not black. Turn the screen brightness down before bed.
Sound. The sound on this site plays for up to 30 minutes a day, and a locked phone stops it. For bedtime sound that keeps playing with the screen off, use an app such as BRW.
References
- About Sleep: How much sleep do I need? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). cdc.gov/sleep/about
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an OK-to-wake clock?
A clock that shows a young child, with a picture or a colour, when it is time to get up. This one shows a dim moon while your child should stay in bed, and a sun when they may get up.
At what age can a child use an OK-to-wake clock?
When they can follow a simple rule like “wait for the sun”. Many parents start between 2 and 3 years old, often when the child moves to a bed.
Can I use an old phone or tablet as an OK-to-wake clock?
Yes. Open this page, set the time, press Start the clock, and put the device out of reach. Keep it plugged in, and test it for one night first.
Does the screen stay on all night?
In most current browsers, yes, while the clock is open. Some phones still dim or lock, so test it one night before you rely on it.
Will the screen light keep my child awake?
The moon screen is very dim. Turn the screen brightness down before bed, and put the device a little away from the bed.