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Get Your Toddler To Sit On The Potty & Stay Longer - 12 Activities That Work
get your toddler to sit on the potty
Many toddlers refuse to sit on the potty. It’s very normal. Whether it’s fear, the desire to control their own decisions or because they are busy playing and don’t want to leave the fun they’re having – “no!” is a common answer to the question – “do you have to go potty?” It’s one of the very first challenges parents face when potty training.
Truth is, when toddlers just begin, they usually don’t know when they have to go, can’t really hold it and have a hard time leaving their toys to go sit on the potty, only to read the same ol’ potty book. Nah.
So, if they refuse, how can you get your toddler to sit on the potty?
ACTIVITIES IN THE BATHROOM! I want to shout this from the mountain tops because it REALLY can help you and your toddler have a calmer, easier potty training experience.
I’ve found that this REALLY works best, for most. After potty training more than 20 toddlers, ages 19 months to 3+yrs, including my twins just before their 2nd bday, I’ve discovered many key things that work like clockwork, for most.
And one of those things, undeniably, is: having interesting activities IN the bathroom to help them pass time while they wait for pee to come out, and while they learn their urges and timing.
Why? Because activities that they enjoy – interest them, motivate them, keep their attention, keep them calm, relaxed and happy. ALL GREAT THINGS that will really help us (and them to sit and fully release) during potty training.
Read this next:
When To Start Potty Training Your Toddler (so it’s MUCH easier for all!)
20 Biggest Potty Training Mistakes To Avoid
How To Potty Train Like A Pro – Tips Every First Timer Needs To Know
This milestone is challenging enough, let’s spend a little extra time setting up the bathroom optimally, so we can avoid some power struggles with our toddlers!
There is some additional and equally important prep work we need to do before starting to ensure our toddlers are more cooperative and we are as best prepared as possible. You can see details on that here: EVERYTHING You Will Need In Place For Low Stress Potty Training
I want to note – putting a few things in the bathroom and telling them to ‘go to the potty’ throughout the day is not enough. You will want to go with them every time, until they self-initiate going and sitting, which can take up to 3 days or more. And mention the activities in the bathroom when you announce a ‘potty break’ to get them excited to go sit, and engage them in an activity to keep them interested so they sit and relax longer. If they’re tense or rushed, they won’t be able to fully release.
With my Peaceful Potty Training Method, I first encourage families to avoid asking if a toddler has to go, and instead, give their toddler a heads up about the fact that they will start practicing using the potty soon and take ‘timed potty breaks’ together, off of their toddler’s potty cues. Learn your toddler’s cues and time potty breaks accordingly, for the first 1-3 days.
Once your toddler learns their timing, no activities are needed anymore because they are listening to and in tune with their body’s urges. But at the beginning, us adults are timing ‘potty breaks’ off of their cues and current habits, so having activities to help them transition more easily can make A WORLD of difference.
An example of announcing a potty break would be – right after nap, saying – “Rise and shine love, Mommy has your smoothie and some new dinosaur stickers waiting for you next to the potty. Let’s go sit to see if anything has to come out and go grab your goodies.”
want to make potty training less stressful?
Check out my peaceful potty training in 10 days ebook & starter kit – calmer, easier potty training guaranteed
Essentially, for the first few days, think of the bathroom as a doctor’s office waiting room. What can you set up in there that will interest your toddler to sit and keep them sitting comfortably?
The activities need to be exclusively done in the bathroom so they keep your child’s attention. Tailoring activities to your toddler’s individual interests (what are some things they love right now? Are they busy or chill? Are they goofy or more matter of fact?) is best as well. Consider these things to decide on activities that will work best for your toddler.
Rotate activities as needed. Again, this bathroom setup is usually needed for the first 1-3 days and makes getting toddler to the bathroom, to sit and to stay – MUCH EASIER!
Here are 12 activities we have done here at my daycare & preschool, that most toddlers have loved and that made sitting on the potty easier and calmer….
1. have them unwrap tissue paper-wrapped puzzle pieces and put them on a puzzle board
2. let them choose the colors and blow up some balloons together
3. let them use a pencil to draw on a paper or a pen to draw on a dry erase board
4. give them new stickers to place on a pad or a paper taped to the wall
5. have them blow some bubbles in water with a straw in a covered cup
6. let them decorate a big recycled box with painter’s tape or stickers
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Everything you need to know to start potty training with more confidence and calm.
7. look through books with pictures of real animals together
8. look through pictures of cake, dinosaurs, butterflies or the like, on the phone
9. let them practice cutting some paper with toddler-safe scissors
10. ask them what they want for christmas – write it down and look it up
11. place towels down and let them pour water into different bowls
want to make potty training less stressful?
Check out my peaceful potty training in 10 days ebook – calmer, easier potty training guaranteed
12. have them sort pom poms in a muffin tin with tweezers
Get a basket together or a recycled box, and fill it with some of these or other activities you believe your toddler will enjoy and you will have a much easier time getting them to sit and keeping them sitting, calmly, for longer stretches to fully release.
“Come on babe, potty break time! Let’s go blow up some long balloons or open some new stickers!” -Now that’s how you get your toddler to sit on the potty! Less power struggles, less bribing, less accidents, never forcing. Plus, you will most likely have more fun with the overall process. Really playing with toddlers can be so fun, healing and bonding for us, too!
Despite the activities, though, you may still have to deal with big feelings when potty training. Here is a helpful article on navigating big feelings during potty training: How To Use A Peace Corner To Make Potty Training Your Emotional Toddler Easier
And if they are afraid of the potty, this will help you handle that: How To Handle Fear When Potty Training
Also, it is KEY to help your toddler understand what it feels like to have to go when just starting out with potty training, so they can start self-initiating and you can stop having to go with them each time. Here is how to help your toddler with their urge awareness: Teaching Urge Awareness When Potty Training
Check out these helpful calming supplies:
For more potty training support, you can read all my potty training blog posts, here.
And consider signing up for my free Peaceful Potty Training Cheat Sheet, complete with supply list, what to expect and how to prepare in the boxes below.
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Read this next:
Want a FREE instant download of The Peaceful Potty Training Cheat Sheet? Drop your name & email below! We never spam.
Everything you need to know to start potty training with more confidence, calm and ease.
More potty training supplies you may need:
