Fun Clocks to Get Kids Moving

We're only a few weeks into the school year, and the morning wakeup routine is already getting old. My 4th grader needs to be pried out of her bed every school day, and the mornings have yet to grow dark and cold.

I caught a glimpse this morning of this Time Tracker Visual Timer and Clock on a Today Show segment on crunch-time solutions for busy moms. The 9-inch-tall lighted electronic timer lets kids know how much time they have left to complete a task, such as getting up and dressed in the morning. Using green, yellow, and red lights, along with six sound effects, parents can set the timer for lots of things. It teaches time management! the promotional literature assures.

The time tracker inspired me to look for other fun alarm clocks that could motivate young morning risers to independently get out of bed and ready for school without parents coaching them every step of the way. (If nothing else, I am ever hopeful).

Here are a few fun ones:

Projection alarm clocks: These digital clocks project the time on a ceiling or wall, so your kids can't say they didn't know it was bedtime. ($36 and $20)

Wake Up! Alarm Clock by Creativity Kids: This is one they can paint and decorate themselves. If they invest time and art into a clock, maybe they'll actually get out of bed and turn it off when it rings. ($18)

Monkey Talking Alarm Clock: For the monkey lovers out there, and there are a lot of them. ($16)

Sonic Hedgehog Deco Table Musical Alarm Clock: He's just plain cute. ($9)

Okay, so this could never be accused of being a terribly techie post. But when a mom is trying to get her brood up and out the door for school, low-tech help—any help at all—is appreciated.