White noise machines for sleep/preschool clocks etc

[mainemommy1]

My son and I use fans to sleep for the noise. However every time we loose power (a lot in maine) no matter for several nights or a few hours it wakes us up and we can't sleep. I am thinking of getting a white noise machine that also works on back up batteries so we don't wake up or loose sleep during EVERY power outage. Any suggestions for ones that sound like somewhat loud fans? Also, looking for a child friendly clock or time keeper (he's only 4-doesn't know how to tell time) so he knows when it's morning and he can get up. He just calls out to me. Someone once mentioned a clock where you can see the moon moving with an animal sleeping and when it's day the animal wakes up and the clock lights up or something like that but i don't know where to find it, if it's worth it etc.
-we lost power last night for 4 hours and the two of us were wide awake-2 weeks ago it was for 4 nights and we were sleep deprived by the end! Our house is somewhat small and sound travels with hardwood floors and hollow doors so we do need something! THANK YOU

[MelMorgan]

Sound Machine

I recommend the Marsona DS-600A. It works with batteries and includes a white noise sound. It's a great sound machine. We've been using one in our house for years. Good luck!

[handzfull]

I use fans in all my kids' rooms - always have. I even use one! If you get one that you just turn on with a knob, then if the power goes off, it'll turn back on when the power returns. Also, my kids have always had digital clocks in their rooms. I just made a little sign and hung it next to the clock and said the first number had to be a "7" just like on the sign. I even hung it in such a way that it lined up exactly with the spot where the 7 would be and drew a little arrow to make it really clear. I think both of those techniques really helped my kids.

[hakeber]

I use the clock radio on a staticky non-station setting, and it has a back up battery for black outs which we get here frequently as well.

eta: mine has really big numbers and we talk about how on school days we wake up when the first number says seven and that is also when we go to bed. (on weekends we go to bed at 8 and wake up at 8), two birds, one stone.