This post is all about potty training rewards that toddlers love, and help motivate them to sit and potty train easier!
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The BEST Ideas For Potty Training Rewards
Using activities in the bathroom as ‘potty training rewards’ is what makes potty training toddlers SO much easier. (I’ve potty trained dozens!)
Yes! You heard right – activities.
Toddlers LOVE this!
No need for sweets (that often lose their appeal), bribing, or forcing.
Instead, ‘reward’ your child immediately by making the bathroom and the potty itself, super comfortable and inviting for them by setting up cool things for them to do in the bathroom while they sit (because that what potty training is all about – timing, sitting, waiting, and self-awareness).
Using activities as ‘rewards’ will intrigue your toddler, make them feel safer, calmer and keep them sitting longer. YAS! (sounds like a dream come true, right?!)
I will show you exactly how I get every toddler – no matter the temperament – to sit on the potty in the first 1-3 days without forcing, power struggles, or tantrums!
As the owner of a Montessori-inspired Playschool for 0-5 year olds, and the mom of twin toddlers, I have potty trained dozens and dozens of toddlers and know first-hand what works well (and what doesn’t!) for the majority of toddlers – to capture and keep their attention during potty training – so they actually sit and use the potty in the first 1-3 days!
In Montessori, we would call setting up the space in this way a ‘prepared setting’.
This is truly the BEST way to potty train. And don’t worry, all it takes is some re-arranging of toys, a sprinkle of creativity, a dash of 1:1 time, and it is SO worth it! (Way better than fussing, straining, and stressing!)
I’ll show you how to leverage the reward, instead of use it to bribe them so you will have a MUCH easier and smoother experience potty training!
Sound good?
Below are 12 of the best ideas for potty training rewards for you to try with your toddler! (One might work magic for you or you might use a few!)
Let’s get into it…
1. Let them unwrap puzzle pieces from tissue paper and match to a puzzle board
This works amazingly as a potty training reward because – toddlers love to open things!
Use a puzzle you have or grab a new one to add even more excitement.
Kind of like opening a present, this potty training reward piques their curiosity, it keeps their hands busy (so they are relaxed – so important for releasing pee and poop), and it passes time. Win!
So many families struggle with using candy as a reward because they find that their toddler barely sits for a second, and only focuses on the candy.
So, the child is not sitting long enough and is anxious about the candy, which means they are not relaxed and are demanding candy, leaving parents in a power struggle cycle they aren’t sure how to get out of.
Effective potty training rewards like this one help parents avoid this scenario completely!
Potty Training Soon?
Get My FREE Mindful & Peaceful Potty Training Starter Guide So You Can Potty Train Easier & Keep Your Sanity Along The Way!
Everything you need to know to start potty training with more ease, confidence and calm.
2. Let them Choose a Balloon And Help Pump It Up
Fun and simple, yet toddlers LOVE to sit and do it!
The truth is, you will be going with your toddler to the bathroom throughout the day, all day, for the first 1-3 days to set a foundation. Yes, every time. So, might as well use that time effectively and do what you can to keep them interested, relaxed, and sitting, without tantrums or power struggles.
If this is your first time potty training, I have a FREE starter guide for you that will walk you through what to do, what to expect, how to handle common challenges, poop, nighttime potty training, and more! Grab it!
If your toddler loves balloons, this potty training reward idea is a must try!
No forcing, no bribing, just you saying “potty break! Let’s go blow up some balloons while we sit!” And watch your little one run off to the potty!
3. Set out some pencils or dry erase pens so they can draw on paper or a board
Something new and cool that they don’t usually get to do?! Get ready for your toddler to be excited and engaged!
For this potty training reward, I tape paper to the wall or just place a mini dry erase board near the potty, with the pens in a little, shallow box.
This way they can see it, be intrigued, and grab it for themselves.
The key to doing simple activities like this as ‘rewards’ during potty training, is to designate those activities ONLY for when your child is sitting on the potty.
Yes! That’s the rule: “Ok babe, let’s sit, get comfortable, and we can draw while we wait for pee and poop. You are still learning when to go, so we need to sit and wait until you know when your body has to go. You’ll feel it in your tummy. Let’s sit and draw!”
This is something I say regularly to toddlers who I’m potty training or as I like to call it ‘learning’ and ‘practicing’ with the potty.
For the most supported, easiest potty training experience possible, check out my Mindful & Peaceful Potty Training Course that has helped hundreds of struggling, stressed moms:
4. Give Them New stickers To Place On A Pad Or A Paper Taped To The Wall
Good ‘ol stickers!
A classic potty training go-to!
I don’t know a toddler who doesn’t enjoy peeling and decorating with stickers!
Get your toddler a handful of cool new stickers, or try these reusable, large, sticker books from Melissa & Doug, tape a piece of paper to the wall (or sometimes I will bring a cardboard box near the potty) and let them put stickers all over it.
They love it, are eager and happy to sit, and potty training is going smooth!
This will keep them busy, calm, and in a relaxed state to release pee or poop, rather than trying to rush off to do something else.
5. Have Them Blow Some Bubbles In A cup With a colorful straw
Is your toddler all about making their own choices?
Then let them choose what color straw they want to use each time you take a ‘potty break’ (aka when you prompt them to sit. I call them ‘potty breaks’)
They will love having the option to choose a color each time, and they will love blowing all the bubbles and watching them roll around and pop in the cup!
Another excellent potty training reward that helps your toddler relax, also engages their core, both of which aid in passing pee or poop!
Potty Training Soon?
Get My FREE Mindful & Peaceful Potty Training Starter Guide So You Can Potty Train Easier & Keep Your Sanity Along The Way!
Everything you need to know to start potty training with more ease, confidence and calm.
6. Let them Put Some Colorful Tape On An Amazon Box
A very simple potty training reward using items you probably already have around the house!
And I am not joking at all when I tell you this continues to be one of the TOP FAVORITES for all the toddlers I have potty trained!
I keep a medium box in the bathroom and the tape with me/up on the counter. Then, when I prompt them to sit, I tear off a few pieces of tape, gently stick them along the edge of the box and tell the toddler to put the tape wherever they want to, on the box. The really love it!
In fact, one of my toddlers just got up from nap, glanced over at the picture on my laptop as I’m writing this and excitedly said *gasp* “is that blue tape?! what are we doing with the tape mom?!”
My guess is, your toddler will love this as a potty training reward! (unless they don’t like when things stick to their hands. If that is your toddler, probably skip this one!)
To prompt, I just say – “potty break real quick! Let’s go put some blue tape on the box!”
7. Tell them to bring whatever they Have in their hands With Them To The Potty
FOMO! So many toddlers refuse going to the pottty because they are consumed by what they’re currently doing and don’t want to stop playing to go and sit (which is less fun/interesting).
To completely avoid this common power struggle, let your child know that they can BRING whatever they have in their hands or are playing with, with them!
THIS IS MAGIC.
All I say is – “Potty break! Bring your monster jams (or whatever they are using at the moment) with you!”
Remember, toddlers live in the moment and aren’t really coming up with ideas for themselves yet. Reassure them that they won’t miss out and plant seeds of new ideas they wouldn’t think of on their own yet, and you will avoid many power struggles!
Related: 4 Best Ways To Introduce The Potty
8. Let Them Practice Cutting Some Paper With Toddler Safe Scissors
Toddlers love this as a potty training reward!
Scissors are new, challenging, and exciting for toddlers – a perfect motivator!
Remember, the key to using these potty training rewards, is to let your toddler know they are learning how to use the potty, practicing sitting, and doing these little activities while they wait on the potty.
In other words, don’t make the focus about the activity and then try and force them to sit. Make it about potty breaks, sitting practice, talking about how it feels when pee and poop need to come out, and doing activities while they sit. It’s very different! (Grab my free peaceful and mindful potty training guide and I’ll show you how to do it.)
For this potty training reward, I keep the scissors with me for safety, and I keep construction paper in the bathroom. I usually let the toddlers choose the color and help me put the papers in the bathroom, so they are more involved and invested.
On any given potty training day (I usually use potty training rewards on days 1-3 and then no longer need them, as the toddler begins to recognize when they have to go), I keep a few potty training rewards in the bathroom – not just one. This way, they have options to keep their interest.
Using scissors always sparks joy, relaxes, and motivates the toddlers!
9. Look Through Books With Pictures of real animals
Not many toddler books have pictures of REAL animals and toddlers LOVE to see them!
For this potty training reward idea, I love to use National Geographic’s Little Kids First Big Books.
Real pictures have a way of capturing and keeping a toddler’s attention moreso than any illustrated book!
We keep these books in the bathroom and I sit with the toddler, unless they want privacy, and we ‘ooh and awww’ over all the animals together, for a minute or two, while they sit on the potty. Then, we look through more pictures the next time (or we do another activity they’re excited about).
When just starting out potty training, I usually have the toddler help me set up the bathroom space, so they feel involved and more excited – rather than feeling like potty training is something happening to them, that they have no choice or control. (Remember, feelings create behaviors).
With books like these, I like to add them in as a surprise!
I might say – “Ok Jackson, I have a really cool surprise for you tomorrow when we start taking potty breaks and sitting on the potty! I think you’re going to love it! I’ll give it to you tomorrow when we sit on the potty!”
10. Look Up what they Want For Christmas & Write It Down
Does your toddler love Christmas? Presents??
Once they sit on the potty, you can use looking up presents they might want and writing those down on their wish list, as a potty training reward!
All the toddlers I have done this with get so excited looking through all the pictures of toys and books!
They are relaxed, eager to sit, and happy to wait on the potty while we browse.
I just use my phone and browse Amazon with them. Super simple.
Then, I write down what they want on a piece of paper with their name.
Very special to them!
With any potty training reward, I always make sure to bring attention to what they’re doing on the potty each time, as well.
For example, I’ll say – “potty break! Let’s sit and look through some Christmas presents while we wait for pee and poop. You can feel the pee or poop coming in your tummy. Let’s listen to our body. There! The pee is coming! Great job putting in the potty!”
11. Place A towel down & let them pour water into bowls
Mini watering cans for kids like these are perfect for this potty training reward!
The extra perk with any water-based reward like this is that it can help stimulate urination!
Keeping your toddler relaxed on the potty will help them pass pee and poop, and this potty training reward idea is sure to get them involved and relaxed to release!
When doing this watering can potty training reward, I lay down a towel to catch any spilled water, lay out a few different size bowls, and have a couple or few watering cans set out. I have them sit, then fill up the watering can and take it to them to pour.
Remember that you are going to the potty with your toddler each time for the first 1-3 days, which means you will be in the bathroom a lot.
So, doing these potty training rewards is worth the extra minute of prep/cleanup because you want your toddler to sit regularly without power struggles, to be relaxed so they can release, and to get very comfortable in the bathroom.
Slow down, don’t rush it. It will greatly benefit you and your child.
With time, practice and some guidance from you, your toddler will soon become more aware of their body urges and run off to the potty without you having to prompt and without a need for a reward. It will become a habit!
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How To Teach Your 3 Year Old To Read
Potty Training For First-Timers: Tips You Need To Know To Save Your Sanity
12. Have them sort pom poms in a muffin tin with tweezers
I’ve potty trained so many toddlers and as you might be able to tell, I like to make it fun, calm, and a team effort.
This is when potty training is the easiest and smoothest for everyone.
The first 1-3 days can be VERY different if you don’t make the bathroom a comfortable, calm, inviting environment.
Pom pom sorting is a great potty training reward that many toddlers love!
It keeps their focus, has them practicing their fine motor skills for writing, gets them matching colors and more!
If your toddler is detail-oriented and/or loves sorting things, they might love this potty training reward idea!
For this one, I would just say something like – “potty break! Let’s go choose our tweezers to sort the fuzzy pom poms! Do you want yellow, green, maybe red?!”
What Is A Good Reward For Potty Training?
The list I shared above has 12 of the best rewards for potty training that I’ve used for almost a decade with all different types of toddlers.
Forget the candy or forcing, and try some of the ideas for potty training rewards I shared above!
Oftentimes, when you use a ‘treat’ as a reward for sitting, it will lose it’s luster or your toddler will become fixated on it rather than sitting on the potty.
For many toddlers and their families, using treats can cause more struggle and confusion.
The best, most effective way to use potty training rewards is to:
- Keep them play-focused and routine-focused because this speaks to your toddler’s interests and brain development (non-food)
- Have a variety of reward options prepared – not just one
Your toddler might be excited by one reward for the first day and be less interested in it the next day. So, not just depending on one thing is best. You’ll be able to keep moving forward and not feel frustrated that one thing lost it’s luster.
When using rewards during potty training, be sure to prompt your toddler to sit for a “potty break” and mention the reward like this – “potty break! Let’s go choose the color balloon you want to blow up!”
We want to keep the focus on the effort and act of sitting and waiting for pee and poop.
Then, once they sit, you can offer the reward of choosing the balloon color. “Sit and then we can choose your balloon.”
Bring attention to their body while they sit by saying something like, “you can feel it in your tummy when you have to pee or poop, kind of like when you are hungry and you feel it in your tummy. Listen to your body so you know when to sit.”
Doing a ‘mini activity’ in the bathroom together, as a potty training reward, like the balloon one I mentioned will keep your toddler sitting longer and feeling comfortable, rather than feeling pressured, rushed, watched, or FOMO – which will only clam them up and make releasing pee and poop difficult.
If your toddler just runs off to use the potty without the mention of any reward, that is great! No need to do a reward.
I’ve worked with a few toddlers like this. One of my own twins did this.
However, most toddlers take many days of practicing before they get into the new habit of getting to the potty in time, which can create fatigue and frustration, which is where the play-focused potty training reward ideas list above comes in HUGE!
Another key thing worth noting is – don’t underestimate the powerful role praise and positive reinforcement, and keeping a growth mindset, can play in motivating and encouraging your toddler during potty training. (And how it can keep you feeling calmer through the process, too.)
Using praise, positive reinforcement, and a growth mindset, sounds like:
- “You’re learning!”
- “Wow, you put some pee in the potty!”
- “We will keep trying and get better with potty.”
- “Accidents are part of learning. Let’s try again next time.”
- “You’re doing a great job running to the potty and sitting!”
- “Look at you, you’re getting better everyday!”
Ultimately, for potty training rewards, aim to use a variety of play-focused rewards that speak to your toddler’s interests, and focus on the effort and progress they’re putting in to get to the end result, rather than just the end result itself.
With time, practice, and support, the end result will come!
How Can I Make Potty Training More Fun?
Use this list of potty training rewards and I guarantee your toddler will be smiling, excited, and having fun during potty training! (And when your toddler is in a good vibe, you’ll catch those vibes!)
I’ve spent almost a decade using these potty training rewards with dozens and dozens of toddlers, so they are tested and approved by many little humans!
Some other key things that will make potty training more fun are:
- Keeping a calm, positive, growth mindset toward your toddler and their learning. Being less serious and more playful can go a long way with toddlers! (And feel good for you!)
- Blocking 1-3 days where you are only present for potty training, not having to do anything else can minimize your stress load and allow for you to be more playful and fun, too. Maybe you meal prep for the week or order takeout and let the laundry go until the weekend – whatever you need to do to be calmer and more present to help and guide your child through this milestone. Preparing in this way can make all the difference!
- Do some surprises! Maybe each day you surprise your toddler with a new reward and the night before you tell them – “Ok, tomorrow we will have a new reward for you when you’re on the potty!” Toddlers love surprises!
- Do some treats! Maybe you treat yourself and your toddler to your favorite smoothie shop after a long day or potty practicing. Maybe you take them to go get their favorite meal or start the day with a hot cocoa before potty practice. All of these things can make your child feel special, supported, and make potty training more fun!
This is a big life change and major milestone for your toddler AND we can prepare ourselves and our spaces so that’s it’s not a big, stressful experience.
How Do You Celebrate Potty Training Success?
I do something special when a toddler is full potty trained BUT I don’t wait until then to celebrate them, I celebrate their little triumphs along the way.
I high five them.
I do happy dances with them.
I tickle them and tell them how great they are and are doing.
I say, “you know what, you have been working so hard at the potty, let’s go get an ice cream cone/make your favorite dinner tonight to celebrate you.”
I brag about them, in front of them, to their parents.
I remind them how great they are doing.
All of these little moments, these words and gestures, build up their self-esteem, keep them motivated, and make them feel proud!
Potty training goes smooth and is bonding and fun when you celebrate the steps along the way!
At the end of potty training I throw a ‘potty party’, kind of like a birthday party, where we have a little cake, balloons, and a fun celebration for their latest achievement!
I talk to the toddlers about their potty part while we are potty training and I let them help plan what cake they want, what they want for their special lunch, what games we will play, etc. They love it!
What Day Of Potty Training Is The Hardest?
The hardest day of potty training can vary family to family.
For many parents, day one can be very challenging because of how brand new this is to them and their toddler, dealing with accidents, and getting used to guiding their child to potty breaks, talking to them about their body, and teaching them how to push pants down, wash hands… all of the things!
After a few days though, most families have an idea of what is working, what their toddler is struggling with, and how to move forward.
For some parents, the first few days might be smooth and then they run in to constipation or poop withholding or regressions, which can be frustrating and confusing, making the parents unsure of how long their toddler will take to be fully potty trained.
The best thing to do is prepare as best possible. (My free potty training starter guide helps you do this!) This way, you are able to handle any challenge that might arise, rather than feel like you don’t know what to do if things get tricky. (Psst – my free guide includes nighttime potty training too!)
Having a visual in the bathroom like this one, can help your toddler identify when to go and can also help you decide when to prompt them during the first few days of potty training.
Top Potty Training Tips For The First Few Days
I’m all about making potty training as LOW STRESS as possible, for parents and toddlers!
And I truly have a ton of resources for parents who are potty training for the first time. From handling big feelings, potty training a stubborn toddler, to potty training when our child is in daycare, there are so many helpful blog posts for you here!
As for my top tips for the first few days of potty training, here ‘s what you need to do to make things easier for you and your toddler:
- Having a prepared environment and mindset can make ALL the difference in how potty training goes for your and your toddler.
- Give yourself at least 4-6 weeks of time between any other major life change (ie: don’t do potty training at the same time as starting school. Too much change can be hard for your toddler and you. Give them time to adjust to one thing at a time if possible.)
- Have some resources you can refer to in case things get tricky (my free potty training starter guide is perfect for this.)
- Block 3 days off where you are solely focused on helping your toddler with the potty. It can be way too overwhelming and frustrating if you are trying to multi-task for the first few days of potty training.
- Give your toddler a heads up about the change in their routine. Talk to your toddler about how they will start practicing using the potty in a few days and say bye bye to diapers. Maybe have them gather and stack their diapers in a bag with you.
- Set up play-based rewards in the bathroom for when you prompt them to sit. Some may not need anything when prompted, most do.
- Celebrate their effort and learning, not just when they pee or poop in the potty or when they fully potty trained. Keeping a growth mindset can change your life!
- Have your child wear underwear on the bottom only. Once they get their timing down, then you can add in shorts etc, and let them practice pulling those up and pushing them down.
- Talk about how the body feels when pee or poop is coming. Tell your toddler to listen to their body.
- Keep extra underwear, clothes, cleaning wipes, a bag or hamper for soiled clothes, and gloves handy in the bathroom for quick clean up and changing.
- Treat accidents calmly, have them help clean them, and remind them where the pee and poop goes now – in the potty – and to keep trying and listening to their body.
- Time bathroom prompts according to when you notice they usually go, or common times like before nap, after nap, after lunch, and use this visual in the bathroom to help your toddler learn when to go.
- Use a peace corner to help your toddler wind down and calm big feelings, as they arise.
- Take deep breaths and mini breaks for yourself throughout the day to manage stress, as needed. Helping toddlers learn can require lots of patience, support, and compassion.
A collection of my favorite books, and other supports, that speak so well to toddlers, preparing them for and comforting them through their potty training journey.
The right supplies can make all the difference! Beyond the potty, these are the other essentials you will want to have to potty train easier and faster.
*The ‘What Is The Potty?’ Book featured above is one of my original books! And toddlers really love it! I read it regularly here to my playschool kiddos.
Join hundreds of other relieved moms and learn my exact style of potty training, in my exclusive Mindful & Peaceful Potty Training Course, that walks you through each day or potty training for 10 days, nighttime potty training, poop struggles, regressions, potty training when in daycare, outings and more!
About Low Stress Motherhood
Let's harness the chaos so we can find your happy place in motherhood. I'm here to help moms find some solace and helpful resources that ease the load of motherhood and allow them to show up as the person they want to be, for themselves and their children.
