How to Keep Potty Training Fun and (Almost) Stress-Free
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Let’s be honest. Potty training can feel unbelievably high-stakes and high-effort. You've got a kid who's suddenly supposed to master bladder control, emotional regulation, and pants logistics, and you’ve got a million opinions coming at you from every direction.
But here’s your official permission slip to stop taking it so seriously.
Potty training is important . . . but it’s also messy, weird, and full of moments that are objectively hilarious. The good news? The more fun you have with it, the smoother the whole process tends to go.
Here are some playful, low-pressure ways to lighten things up and make progress at the same time.
1. Read Silly Potty Books Together
Two of my personal favorites are:
- Potty by Leslie Patricelli – Short, sweet, and perfect for toddlers who love a good “tinkle tinkle toot!”
- Where Do You Poop? by Baruzzi Agnese – Funny, sorta factual, with catchy rhymes and just the right amount of silliness to keep kids giggling while they learn.
Reading together builds familiarity without feeling like you're teaching a course. And it makes toilet time feel a little more cozy and connected.
2. Try a “Silly Walk” Challenge to the Bathroom
Sometimes just getting there is the hard part. So change it up!
If you're feeling a little stumped, here are a few to get you started:
- Dinosaur-stomp to the potty
- Tiptoe like you're sneaking past a sleeping bear
- Hop like a frog!
- Pretend the wind is so strong it's blowing you all the way to the bathroom
You're redirecting resistance into movement and making it feel like a game.
3. Embrace the Magic of Stickers
Never underestimate the power of a well-timed sticker. For toddlers, even tiny rewards can feel huge, and for parents, it’s a low-effort way to build positive momentum.
You don’t have to wait for a full success either. Stickers can reward effort, bravery, or just sticking with the routine. And if you’re dealing with poop fear (totally normal, by the way), it helps to shift the focus from what’s happening in the toilet to what your child just did really well. Because, let’s be real: feeling something fall out of your body into a bowl of water is weird.
And when they finally do have a successful poo, the “I Pooped” glitter reward sticker is literally made for that!
3. Make Up a Potty Song (Or Dance. Or Both.)
Channel your inner entertainer and go full musical. Whether it’s a potty-remix of your favorite song or an off-key original, having a potty jingle or silly dance adds lightness when the pressure is on.
Bonus points if you can get them to join you! It's a great way to take their mind of the stress of trying to go.
5. Create a Cheer Routine for Every Win
Did they sit on the potty, even if nothing happened?
Did they wipe (ish)?
Did they wash hands with minimal complaint?
Ra! Ra! Give it a cheer!
Make up a goofy chant. Give a high-five. Spin in a circle. Whatever feels fun and celebratory for your kid. They’ll start to associate potty training with loads of fun, not stress.
Final Thought: Progress Over Perfection
Potty training is a process, not a performance. If something isn’t working change it up! Take a break. Laugh about it.
You don’t need perfection. You just need a bit of consistency, a sense of humor, and maybe a glitter sticker or two.
You’re doing great, and your tiny human is learning.