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10 Summer Potty Training Essentials Every Toddler Mom Needs
potty training essentials for the summer
A lot of parents like to potty train in the summer because schedules are a little looser and more flexible and there’s typically more family time, the warmer weather and sun naturally gives us more good vibes, it’s a season when toddlers are wearing less layers and preschool in fall is a couple months out.
Most likely you will be on the go after the first few days and you will want to be as best prepared as possible for that!
If you do decide to potty train in the summer, here are 10 potty training supplies and essentials that you will want to have, to keep things smoother and simple!
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Here are 5 things every toddler mom needs for summer potty training…
what equipment do you need for potty training in the summer?
1. dog pee pads
These are SO useful during potty training, especially in the summer when you are on the go.
You can place them in their car seat to protect the seat from getting soaked during an accident, you can play it under them at a friends when they are sitting on the couch watching a movie or playing with magnet tiles.
And, at home, you can use them for any potty stations you have around the house, especially when you are still just establishing your toddler’s potty training schedule – like in their room for nap and bedtime or on the carpets, etc… Less stress of mess for you, which means you will be able to bring a calmer energy, even when they are having accidents and clean up is a breeze!
For complete prep work, check out this blog post: Everything You Need To Prepare Before Potty Training That Will Make It SO MUCH EASIER
Helpful potty training books to add to your story times:
2. a potty in the bathroom, backyard & car
The single bucket potties are the easiest for them to help empty (usually they eventually want to) and it is easiest to sanitize AND have in the car.
Even after your toddler is using the potty like clockwork, you will be working with a small and ‘just under control’ bladder, which means you will want to keep access to the potty as quick and easy as possible for months, to avoid accidents, messes and frustrations.
Floor potties are less scary for most toddlers, so having these can help you avoid your toddler refusing to sit on potty during potty training.
I’ve potty trained more than 20 toddlers and only 2 have been comfortable starting on the regular toilet. So, most likely, starting with a floor potty will be your best bet. You can of course, feel it out and see what suits your child best.
Have one in the bathroom they will be using during the day for potty training. Have another in any outdoor play space that you have at home that is far and/or on the other side of a door to get to the bathroom they usually use.
This minimizes timing and holding issues, giving your toddler the best chance of getting to a potty in time, while they are still adjusting to all the details of this big, new life skill.
And finally, have one potty in the car. Our twins were fully potty trained at 24 months and we still use it regularly (they’re turning 3 in a few months) when on road trips, when getting to a park or a store where I don’t want to use a public bathroom, etc.
want to potty train easier?
my Peaceful Potty Training course teaches you my simplified method built for ‘strong-willed’, uninterested and scared toddlers. ALL the information you need in ONE place, covering all the scenarios like refusing to sit, withholding poop, pushback, constipation, frequent accidents and more:
3. a foldable/travel potty (optional)
I didn’t use this for my twins and only one child (the first one) I cared for. I found it was cumbersome and just added to my responsibility of things to carry and keep track of, plus, I found placing one of these on a public toilet and then having to touch and clean it – while also making sure the little on didn’t touch anything, got their pants up and washed their hands – just more unnecessary and too much.
Instead, what I did was ‘brief’ them before we went out by simply telling them how public bathrooms are, that I will hold them while they pee or poop and to grab on to me only.
Less touching points and easier to control this way.
However, many parents love the foldable travel potty and you might too, so I included it on this list.
Suitable for potty training girls and for potty training boys!
Some tools that help your toddler feel in charge during potty training:
4. gloves (for handling poop cleanup from car potty)
Poop cleanups in the house and on the go, are so much easier with gloves! Depending on the day, your toddler’s poop might be all smeared in their pants, might drop in a few places as they run to the potty or might get stuck to the potty. Not to fret, gloves to the rescue! It’s so nice and easy to grab a pair of gloves and get it done!
Even with my own twins, gloves were SUCH a helpful cleaning supply while potty training. I keep a bundle in each of their diaper bags and in the car, too! Just in case.
This is one of my favorite potty training tips because many parents, including myself in the beginning, might not think to get gloves for cleaning up after their own family (but it’s the best lol)!
5. doggy poop bags (for handling poop cleanup from car potty)
These will make mess cleanups SO MUCH easier! Throw soiled undies in them, soiled clothes to wash later, or even drop the poop from the car potty into these! Such quick and easy cleanup when you are on the go. Amen!
6. sanitizing surface wipes (for handling poop cleanup from car potty)
This will come in handy for when you are wiping down the car potty or your foldable, travel potty, and any other surface that might get pee or poop on it!
Watch my FREE Potty Training Masterclass and learn the *optimal* time to start potty training PLUS how to prepare your toddler, your mindset & your space!
Everything you need to know to start potty training with more ease, confidence and calm.
7. painter’s tape (to cover the auto flusher in public bathrooms if your toddler is freaked by noise)
I prefer painter’s tape over sticky notes because it sticks better. I tried many times with post its and they’d fall off time and again, only to have the toilet flush and the toddler freak out anyway. Argh!
You can place the painter’s tape on your wrist like a bracelet so it’s easy to carry without getting in the way. And, you can use it for years for art projects too, so it’s a useful win even after potty training is over.
If your toddler cries when sitting on the potty out in public, specifically because of all the flushing noise, this can help prevent the toilet you are using from flushing BUT you will still hear those around you flushing and that can still be noisy.
Describing to your toddler all about what it’s like to pee and poop in public AND what they can do if they are scared by the noises, can help prepare them and shape their behaviors. “It can be loud loud flushing! Even louder than here at home! It’s just noise. If you feel scared, you can grab mommy’s hand real tight like this! Or we can count all the flushes together when we hear them like – one, two, three!”
8. 2-3 extra sets of clothes and shoes (just in case of accidents!)
Underwear, tops, bottoms AND shoes! Sometimes your toddler will pee and it will run down into their shoes. They might accidentally poop their pants and step in the poop, ah! Have 2-3 sets of clothes, undies and shoes in the car and you will be able to handle any and all of these situations with far more calm and control!
9. hand sanitizer
Public bathrooms can be the wild wild west lol. Have some hand sanitizer on you to keep clean yourself, without having to depend on a sink and working soap!
10. fanny pack so you can always be stocked but hands-free for helping
Literally THE BEST thing for an on-the-go, prepared toddler mom for any outings or traveling! No need to lug a huge back or walk back and forth to a diaper backpack. You can easily access your hand sanitizer, a ziploc of sanitizing surface wipes, a ziploc of baby wipes, your wallet, your phone, your keys – whatever you need at any moment, while also being hands-free to help your toddler, at any moment.
I love LOVE love my old beat up fanny (probably need a new one soon lol) and I really think you will too! (I even use mine around the house when the kiddos are sick, so I have wipes for noses and sanitizer for hands on me at all times!)
Read this next:
When To Start Potty Training (so it is easier for all!)
And there you have it! Summer potty training supplies and essentials all moms need!
For more potty training support, you can read all my potty training blog posts, here.
And consider watching my FREE Potty Masterclass for some free training and a special potty training bundle offer I don’t share anywhere else!
Follow me on Instagram for tips and to ask questions any time!
DOn’t forget to check out my Peaceful Potty Training course: expert advice in a simplified method built for ‘strong-willed’, uninterested and scared toddlers. ALL the information you need in ONE place, covering all the scenarios like refusing to sit, withholding poop, pushback, constipation, frequent accidents and more:
