How To Make Potty Training Fun

You can make potty training fun for your child and create a positive experience.

There are many different potty training methods but the best ones will always have positive reinforcement.

We will share with you a potty training method based on positive reinforcement and fun.

I first want to share with you the 5 P’s in Potty Training that I believe is very important.

3 of the 5 P’s in toilet training are: Potty, Pee, and Poop

Before you can plan out your fun potty training day, you must be prepared with the language you will use.

Use these terms with potty training.

• Potty – The term you call the toilet which is easier for toddlers to understand and say.

• Pee – The name you call for urinating.  There is no need for some other made-up or weird name to be discrete.  

• Poop – What you call having a bowel movement.  Poop isn’t a bad word and should be used so you know what the child means to say.  Saying poop is pretty easy for toddlers to say.

By keeping your potty training language very simple and consistent it will come across easily to your kids and others. For example: When your child is staying with a family member, daycare providers, a babysitter, or anyone else, they will most definitely know these common words Potty, Pee, and Poop.  If you name it some weird name, others may have a hard time getting your child to a bathroom fast enough and may end up in an accident.

The most important first steps is to start using those potty terms well before you plan to potty train.  When you need to go to the bathroom verbalize it to your kids and say “Mommy/daddy needs to go pee/poop.”  Let your kids follow you to the bathroom if they want or are curious.  If you are on the potty when they happen to walk in tell them “Mommy/daddy is on the potty.”  Tell them one day soon you can sit on the potty like a big kid and go pee or poop in the potty.  Refer to your underwear/panties as big-kid underwear or big girl/boy panties/underwear.  Let them know that when they go in the potty they can have big girl/boy panties/underwear like you.

When you use that language and model what they need to do eventually your child will start showing signs of being ready and interested.  With your potty training words and modeling it should even spur those emotions on them wanting to use the potty.

If you notice that your child has a dirty or wet diaper, tell them that when they go pee or poop in the potty it won’t feel yucky on their bottom.  That might trigger them into not wanting to wear icky diapers anymore.

The last 2 P’s in Potty Training: Patience and Praise

• Patience – This is the most important advice I can give you on doing anything with kids.  Patience during the whole potty training prep, day, and throughout the entire process till your child is successfully potty trained and of course continued all through their life.

• Praise – Make sure that you praise your child after using the potty.  The most important thing is to NEVER scold your child for accidents or punish them.  Potty training needs to be a good positive experience and can be if you make it that way. I will give you examples below of praising your child after he/she uses the potty.

When your child is showing signs of readiness to potty train, this is where the fun begins.

• Talk to your child about going shopping for a potty seat/chair, new underwear/panties, and the needed items for your first day of potty training. I personally liked having a choice for my kids by having a potty seat on the big toilet for them with a step stool and a portable toddler potty.  Some kids might fear the big toilet at first, but having another option may help.

• Plan a day of shopping to buy those needed items.  Let them help pick out the items.  They will feel a sense of pride and ownership if they help choose them and like them.

• If you are trying to save money or can’t afford to buy all those items, look at buying them secondhand.  Borrowing from a friend or family member is another option. Your child might even think it’s cool that their cousin used that stool or portable potty.

This is how I potty trained my kids and how we were successful.  I have recommended these potty training tips to others who have had success also.

I planned a 3-day period where I could fully devote my time to my child learning to potty train.  Whether it is a three-day weekend or just random 3 days in a row that will work out great for you.  The first day is the most work. You need a second and third day as repetition and helping them follow their new routine of going pee and poop in the potty.  Don’t plan on leaving the house for those 3 days if possible, or at least the first 2. 

This is basically a three-day potty training event but that doesn’t mean the training stops then.  Some may call it a three-day method.  These 3 days are to build the biggest foundation of your potty training journey.  

Not every child is completely potty trained by then, but they will be for the most part if it goes successfully with positive reinforcement.  

Kids can still have accidents after this toilet training process and will still be trying to get a hang of potty training. So, they still need you to guide them on that repetition of going potty and when they should like before a nap, bedtime, before you leave the house, etc…

• Plan ahead and purchase all items needed so you don’t have to leave the house.

• We purchased a potty book so we could read it and they could see the pictures.  I think pictures and them seeing or getting more of an idea of what will happen can help them understand. You could also watch a potty video with them.

• Remember the 5 P’s – The first 3 P’s are the language you use with your child.  Potty, Pee, and Poop.  Using that language consistently will help.  The last 2 P’s are so important for you – Praise and Patience.  You need the most patience during this process so it will be a positive experience.  

• Praise your child EVERY time they actually go pee and poop.  Each time they pee or poop in the potty you can sing your potty song. 

• You can come up with and do a potty dance you both make up.  Maybe even play or bang some instruments while singing and dancing.

• Do not praise your child if they didn’t pee or poop in the potty.  Just say “Oops nothing is in there.  We can try again when you are ready.”  If you praise them for nothing happening, then they may not successfully go each time.  Some kids are smart and will think each time I sit on the potty I get a sticker or treat.  Not thinking that they are getting rewarded for actually peeing and pooping.  You may end up having more false runs and less success.

• My idea was to push tons of liquids along with normal food and snacks.  The theory was that the more they drank the more often they would need to go pee. This would then make more times to be successful in having that repetition.

• I let my child pick out their favorite popsicles, Jello, drinks, and even what they wanted for lunch each day. We’d plan a grocery trip before potty training started to get those items.

• Having tons of activities ready and on hand while potty training worked out well.  I had puzzles, coloring books, toys that we could play together, favorite books to read, play dough, and even some crafty things we could make.

• Plan to have everything together and just hang out in the living room all day or in a room where you can have a portable potty or near the big potty.  You don’t want your child to have to go a long way to reach the potty once they feel the need to go.  

• I personally had a small portable potty ready and they could choose which one to go to or which one was closer if in a rush.  We had a house with an open concept, so we mostly hung out around the kitchen table and area in the living room with a tile floor.  You want to stay in an area where it’s easy to clean up if there are accidents, not on the carpet.  I know many will think this sounds crazy, but I had the portable potty in the pantry/laundry room, so it was close.  We could watch the television from the area we were in for short cartoons in between playing.  

• I suggest having the child wear his/her new undies and nothing else.  This is part of the training, and most kids won’t want to get their new undies wet/dirty.  If they do have an accident do not scold them, just simply and nicely say next time we just need to get to the potty faster.  Make sure that you have plenty of clean underwear ready.  Do not revert to diapers. 

• If you want to go the fully naked way that is up to you.  When/If your child is having a hard time realizing they wet their panties or underwear I’d go that route so they can see it firsthand.  Yes, that will create bigger and not so fun clean up messes, but you need to do what works best for your child.  So, stay on tile flooring so it’s easier to clean up.

• Come up with a potty song that you and your child can sing.  It can be as simple as “I peed in the potty, I pooped in the potty” and do a little dance.  Show how happy you are and tell them how great they did.

• I think a potty chart or sticker charts works great.  It can be as simple as a poster board and break it down in 3 days. During those 3 days, every time they go in the potty let them choose a sticker and put it on the chart.  If a chart and stickers are not something your child would be motivated by then maybe let them have a fruit snack or small piece of candy every time, they use the potty.

• At the beginning about every 30 minutes or at regular intervals, say “Let’s go sit on the potty and see if you need to pee or poop”. Eventually, they should bring it up but if not, you should keep on having bathroom breaks often.

• Poop Problems?  Teaching a child how to poop in the potty can be hard.  Some kids may be scared of going poop in the potty chair or toilet.  The first time they actually do poop in the potty will be a game changer.  When they realize it’s okay to do that then it won’t be a conflict.  Some may make themselves hold it because they are scared, or they may run off to a corner and do it in their underwear.  This can be a stressful time for them and for you so be patient with them.  If they do it in their underwear take them to the toilet and empty the poop in the toilet and let them flush it.  It may ease a little of their discomfort watching that process.  Don’t give them a treat or praise for that since they didn’t actually do it in the potty.  Tell them next time they can do it on the potty and not in their underwear.

• Part of the process is to show the proper way to wipe after going pee or poop.  You will have to help them.  For girls really have them understand wipe from front to back.  Have some flushable wipes that they/you can use after going poop so they can get it all off.  You don’t want them to have a sore bottom.

• When potty training boys do they sit or stand? It is up to you how you feel comfortable in training a boy.  I trained my son to sit down.  The little potties and potty seats are made with a little extra part of the seat that should help the boy’s pee from spraying out the toilet.  
  • It’s best for them to sit when first learning because they are learning how it feels when they pee and poop.  Learning the difference between where pee and poop come out.
  • Sometimes, especially at the beginning of training they may be peeing and have the urge to poop then.  When they are standing, they may have the urge to poop as well and have an accident that might scare them or upset them.  Later, after they are potty trained you can teach them how to stand and pee in the toilet.

• Make sure that you have a stool to reach the sink.  Part of the potty-training process is to show them proper hygiene by washing their hands after going potty every time.  Let them pick out some good-smelling hand soap ahead of time.

• Make the day all about them.  Give them your undivided attention, put the phone and laptop away and just enjoy the fun with your child while teaching them how to use the potty.

• Don’t use pull-ups, diapers, or any disposable training pants during the day for potty training.  When I mention pull-ups, I’m using that word to mean any type of pull-up training pants.  There are other names out there like good nights, nighttime underwear, easy ups, or training pants. 

• I do suggest using pull-ups (not diapers anymore) for nap time (if needed) and bedtime. Unless your child already stays dry during naps and bedtime, and they usually have a dry diaper then.  Your child is learning how to control their bladder during the day during these first 3 days of potting training.  It is harder to have bladder control at night when they are sleeping.   
  • We called them bedtime underwear and told our kids when they stayed dry all night, they could just wear their big girl/boy panties/underwear to bed.  Do understand that this may be a separate process of potty training at night.  And you may have many potty accidents during that time.  Be prepared with many different waterproof bed liners/covers and sheets to change during the night.
  • Your child might do well on staying dry during nap time if it’s not long or if they usually stay dry during naps. However, if they are a hard sleeper and are usually wet waking up from naps it may take a bit of time to get used to it.  It’s up to you what you think your child is ready for. 
  • If your child is normally dry when waking up from a nap, then go ahead and leave panties/underwear on for their nap time.  

• Make sure to have your child go pee before nap time and right after they wake up.  That would be the same with bedtime even before they are out of pull-ups.  

• Start limiting the amount they drink before bed.  Get them used to going potty before bed and first thing when they wake up.  As it becomes a routine your child’s body should start getting used to it.  

• The first couple of days after potty training may be difficult if your child is back in daycare, with another caregiver, or if you have resumed your normal schedule of leaving the house and all.  

• The potty-training process is actually continuing until your child can be consistent with going potty and not having accidents.  

• Be patient with your child and don’t revert to diapers or pull-ups during the day. And diapers should be out of the picture from now on. 

• Keep your child in easy clothes to pull down so they have success in going potty quickly wherever they are.  For example:  Do not dress your child in layers or clothes they have to unbutton or figure out how to get off.  
  • Dress them in underwear/panties and then a simple pair of pants or shorts they can simply pull down and up.  Or a girl can be dressed in just a dress and panties. Nothing complicated and do not put on a diaper or pull-up and underwear. You will be sending them mixed messages and may not have success in potty training for a very long time.

• Potty training through the night is the next transition to work on as mentioned above.  But staying dry through the night might not happen for a long while.  There is no need to push that issue until they can train their body/bladder to hold it.  

These are the items I suggest you have ready for the first day of potty training.

• Potty seat for toilet and portable potty
• Step stool for toilet and one for sink
• Big girl panties/Big boy underwear – let them pick them out.
• Good smelling hand soap 
• Flush-able or wet wipes
• Poster board or chart and stickers – make a 3-day chart where they can put stickers on it each time, they go potty.
• Activities for you and your child to do – craft items to make, colors and coloring books, books to read, toys to play with together, play dough, and any other activities your child would enjoy.  Stay away from activities that are long or may distract you and your child from potty training, which is the main goal.

When will you know it’s time to potty train?

Usually, your toddler will start showing signs of being ready to potty train around the age of 2.  The average age is about 2-3 years of age for potty training.  

There is not an actual age set in stone when your child will be ready. Most kids will be showing some signs of readiness around the age of 2 and some up to 3 years old or even older if they have developmental delays.  Every child’s personality is different therefore you need to rely on when is the best time for your child not just on your child’s age.  

You know your child best so use your best judgement when you feel they are ready. Don’t be one of those parents who just want to say, “Oh my child was potty trained at _ years old.”  It doesn’t matter when other kids are potty trained.  This is about your child – don’t compare so you don’t end up upset if your child takes longer.

If you are still unsure when you should potty train, ask your child’s pediatrician for advice.  Especially if your child has any developmental delays, having good medical advice may help you out.

Potty training should start when:

• Your toddler starts taking off their diaper or not wanting you to put another one on.

• When your child starts to run off and hide to go pee or poop in their diaper.

• Your child tries to use the potty by themselves.

• If your child shows interest in wanting to wear underwear or panties.

• When your toddler is using the language of pee and poop, and letting you know they did it in their diaper.

• If your toddler comes to you and wants you to change their diaper.

• When your child understands what pee, poop, and potty mean.

• Your toddler’s diaper stays dry for longer periods of time.

• They feel when they urinate in their diaper and tell you.

• When your toddler can pull up and down their pants.  If they can’t do so they could have a lot of accidents.  After potty training make sure that you only buy your child clothes that they can successfully get on and off.  Not overalls or something that is very difficult for them.

• When you shouldn’t start potty training

• If they aren’t showing any signs of being interested or ready, do not try to potty train.  Wait and see if they are ready in a few more months or so.  If you have the below situations don’t start potty training yet.

• They will be having a new brother or sister very soon you might delay until after the new baby and after all the new situations have passed.  

• When vacationing or right before a vacation isn’t always a good idea.  It can be hectic and crazy and hard to get your child to a toilet fast enough. Your vacation may end in lots of frustration and accidents.

• If your child is sick or not feeling well delay it until they are better.

• In the process of moving to a new house or starting preschool make sure that you do it months in advance.  If you try to rush potty training it may end up in disaster.

• Showing no signs of interest in potty training or understanding. 

• If you and your child are not in a good time period to have a successful potty-training session – Don’t start yet.

The first year of complete potty training can be a long journey till accident-free.  Continue to offer praise and support through this journey.  Remember a positive attitude and praise will go a long way.

During that first year and beyond I think a portable potty can help you out.

• An extra bonus of having a portable potty is that you can take it on road trips in case you can’t find a potty fast enough. We even liked having the potty with us on camping trips. That way our kids didn’t have to squat outside if they were scared to or if it was too dark and late to walk safely to the bathroom.  
• Make sure that you bring/pack trash bags, cleaning wipes, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer when you travel with the portable potty.
• If you want more tips on Road trips or traveling with kids, be sure to check out my blogs on those.

For whatever reason if you and your child are not successful with potty training, realize that you just need to wait and try again when the time is right.  Do not turn this into a punishment and scold your child.  If he/she is not ready, then please be patient and wait till they are ready.

Happy Potty Training!  Just make sure that you make it a very fun experience with lots of focus and attention on them.

It’s wonderful to give them praise and love while they go through those big steps of growing up.

Oh, and don’t forget to share the great news of potty training success with all your friends and relatives.  So, they can give your child the praise that they deserve.