The Gro Clock, now marketed under the Tommee Tippee brand, is a revolutionary sleep training device designed to help young children understand when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. With its colorful, child-friendly interface and innovative features, the Gro Clock has become a staple in households worldwide, helping parents manage their children’s sleep schedules. This article delves into the Gro Clock’s features, benefits, user experiences, and common questions, providing a detailed resource for parents considering this sleep trainer for their toddlers.

What is the Gro Clock?

The Gro Clock is a sleep training clock designed for children, particularly those aged two and older, who are too young to read a traditional clock. Developed by The Gro Company (now part of Tommee Tippee), the Gro Clock uses visual cues colors and symbols like stars and a sun to communicate bedtime and wake-up times. The device aims to establish healthy sleep routines by helping children differentiate between night and day, reducing early morning wake-ups, and promoting better sleep for the entire family.

The clock features a glowing LCD display that shows a friendly character, Ollie the Owl, who appears sleepy with stars during bedtime and awake with a sun during wake-up time. Accompanied by a bedtime storybook, the Gro Clock engages children in a fun and educational way, making it easier for them to understand sleep schedules.

How Does the Gro Clock Work?

The Gro Clock operates on a simple yet effective principle: “Stay in bed until you see the sun.” When it’s bedtime, the clock displays a blue screen with Ollie the Owl surrounded by stars and hearts, indicating it’s time to sleep. As the night progresses, the stars disappear one by one, providing a visual cue of how much time remains until morning. When the pre-set wake-up time arrives, the screen changes to a bright yellow sun, signaling that it’s okay for the child to get out of bed.

Parents can set the wake-up time to align with their family’s schedule, with the option to have different settings for weekdays, weekends, or nap times. The included storybook, read at bedtime, helps reinforce the concept by telling a story about characters learning to stay in bed until morning. This combination of visual cues and storytelling makes the Gro Clock engaging and easy for young children to understand.

User Experiences and Reviews

The Gro Clock has garnered a mix of positive and critical feedback from parents, as seen in recent reviews across various platforms. Below is a summary of user experiences based on the latest available information.

Positive Feedback

Many parents praise the Gro Clock for its effectiveness in teaching children to stay in bed longer. A 2025 review from Mother&Baby highlights its ability to help children distinguish between day and night, particularly during dark winter mornings or bright summer evenings. The adjustable brightness and ambient light are noted as great for midnight toilet trips and comforting for children afraid of the dark. The review also praises the clock’s attractive design and ease of use once set up, calling it a valuable tool for sleep training.

On Amazon, users like a parent from the U.S. (May 2017) describe it as a “great sleep training clock” that their two-year-old understood within days. The star countdown feature is particularly appreciated, as it helps children gauge how much time is left until morning, unlike other clocks that only show day or night. Another parent with a seven-year-old light sleeper notes that the clock helps their daughter stay in bed by clearly indicating when it’s not time to get up.

A Reddit thread from 2016 (still relevant for user sentiment) includes parents calling the Gro Clock a “life saver” for managing early wake-ups. One parent shared that their 2.5-year-old stayed in her crib until the sun appeared, gradually extending wake-up times by adjusting the clock in 10-minute increments. Another user noted their five-year-old still uses it to know when they can leave their room.

Criticisms and Challenges

Despite its popularity, the Gro Clock has faced some criticism, particularly regarding its durability and setup process. Several reviews on ProductReview.com.au report display issues, with parts of the screen fading or disappearing after 6–14 months of use. One user described their disappointment with two faulty clocks, noting that the warranty (typically 12 months) didn’t cover replacements after this period. Others mention the clock’s high price (around £19.96–£47.99 in 2025, depending on the retailer) as a drawback if durability is an issue.

The setup process is another common complaint. A MadeForMums review from 2019 describes it as “fiddly” and unintuitive, requiring patience to navigate the menu without children present. Some parents also find the clock too bright, even on the lowest setting, with one Amazon reviewer applying tinted plastic to dim the screen for their toddler’s room.

Another point of contention is the display’s functionality. Some users expected the sun to appear during the day and stars at night, but the sun only appears for a short period (about two hours) at wake-up time, with stars displayed otherwise. This has led to disappointment for some parents who found the advertising misleading.

Tips for Maximizing the Gro Clock’s Effectiveness

To get the most out of the Gro Clock, consider these tips based on user experiences:

Introduce Gradually: Read the storybook and explain the “stay in bed until the sun” concept over a few days to help your child understand.

Start with Realistic Wake-Up Times: Set the wake-up time close to your child’s current schedule (e.g., 5:30 AM if they wake at 5:00 AM) and gradually extend it by 10–15 minutes every few days.

Involve Your Child: Let them say “goodnight” to Ollie the Owl or press buttons (with key lock enabled) to make the clock part of their routine.

Use the Storybook: Read Sleepy Farm or A Sky Full of Dreams at bedtime to reinforce the sleep training message.

Adjust Brightness: Experiment with brightness settings to find a level that’s visible but not disruptive.

Be Patient: Some children take days or weeks to adapt. Consistently reinforce the rule of waiting for the sun.

Check Durability: Inspect the USB cable regularly to prevent damage, and consider purchasing from a retailer with a strong return policy.

The Gro Company’s Legacy and Trustworthiness

The Gro Company, now under Tommee Tippee, has a strong reputation for creating safe and effective sleep products for babies and toddlers. Known for the Grobag baby sleeping bag and Gro-egg thermometer, the company has over 18 years of experience and collaborates with The Lullaby Trust to promote safer sleep practices. This legacy adds credibility to the Gro Clock, despite some durability concerns.

FAQs

How does the Gro Clock work?

The Gro Clock shows a picture of stars at night when it’s time to sleep, and a sun when it’s time to wake up. Parents set the clock to the desired wake-up time, and the child learns to stay in bed until the sun appears. This helps children, especially toddlers, grasp the concept of time in a visual and easy-to-understand way.

Is the Gro Clock easy to set up?

Yes, the Gro Clock is user-friendly with simple buttons to set the current time, bedtime, and wake-up time. It includes a clear instruction manual and many parents find setup quick and intuitive. Some newer models even come with app connectivity for remote control.

Does the Gro Clock help with naps or only nighttime sleep?

While primarily designed for nighttime use, the Gro Clock can be used for nap times as well. Parents can adjust the clock settings to show stars during nap time and sun when it’s okay to wake, reinforcing consistent sleep habits throughout the day.

What kind of power source does the Gro Clock use?

The Gro Clock is usually powered by a rechargeable battery or standard AA batteries, depending on the model. The rechargeable versions come with a USB charging cable. This offers flexibility in placement without worrying about cords.

How long does the Gro Clock battery last?

For rechargeable models, a full charge typically lasts several days (about 3-5 days) depending on usage and brightness settings. Battery-operated versions depend on battery quality but usually last a few months before needing replacement.

In Summary

The Gro Clock by Tommee Tippee is a thoughtfully designed sleep trainer that combines visual cues, storytelling, and practical features to help children establish healthy sleep routines. Its colorful display, star countdown, and customizable settings make it a favorite among parents, particularly for managing early risers. While setup can be fiddly and durability issues have been reported, the clock’s effectiveness, engaging design, and educational value make it a worthwhile investment for many families.

For parents struggling with early wake-ups or inconsistent sleep schedules, the Gro Clock offers a fun and effective solution. By incorporating the storybook, adjusting settings to suit your child’s needs, and being patient during the learning process, you can maximize its benefits. Whether you’re dealing with a toddler who jumps out of bed at 5 AM or a preschooler learning to tell time, the Gro Clock is a versatile tool that can transform your family’s sleep experience.

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