Potty training can be tricky. From accidents to night-wets to consistency to motivation, we have some of the best Potty Training Tips and Tricks. Hacks to help you and your toddler succeed. 

Potty Training Tips for Toddlers

Who dreads potty training? Mothers who have been there before, definitely don’t look back on this period of time with glee. I remember with my first I was in a rush to get her out of diapers and potty trained. With my second, I probably delayed longer than she needed to go but it was much easier training.

What is the best age to start potty training?

My best advice, coming from a mother who has trained five kids, is don’t rush it. I definitely had a better experience with my second having taken my time and discussed it months before actually jumping in. She also was able to see her older sibling use the potty and wanted to do the same.

What’s the best way to potty train a toddler?

When you begin training a toddler to use the restroom, plan to stay home for 3 days to a week. Tis is why summer break, spring break or Christmas break are great ideas. Give your child lots of liquids. Buy a drinking they love like apple juice for that week . I found it best to go strait to panties/underwear and to stay home. A lot of movies and a lot of fun outdoors.

Initially set a timer. If you can put your child in front of the timer, it gives them control and they like that. Consider starting with 20 minute increments. Later you can move to as much as 90 minute increments.

When you place them on the toilet, give them a little activity like a book or play potty training games.

Potty Training Tips at Nighttime

Nighttime training for toddlers comes later in the potty training process. Once your child has had a few successful weeks of using the toilet during the day, begin potty training at night.

The best advice for getting through the night was waking your child. Well not technically waking.  I picked up my child out of bed. They pretty much remained asleep and sat them on the toilet. I did this right before I went to bed, around 10 PM each evening. I whispered in their ear, “go potty” and she easily went to the restroom. This saved us a lot from bed-wetting in the night.

In addition, make sure you cut off your child’s liquids an hour or two before bed. Give them a sip of water when brushing their teeth but not too much.

Note: night training might comes easier and earlier for girls. Some boys can take a little bit longer.

Potty Training Hacks

When potty training, bring a sense of humor and perhaps a drink at night (mama needs it!)

Enjoy these Potty Training Tips and Tricks and be sure to share with us any hacks or tricks you had when training your own child to use the bathroom.

Stickers are exciting, Here’s a fun Free Printable Potty Training Chart to help your little one stay motivated during the potty training journey. (Pick up star stickers HERE) | Alice and Lois

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Pan to stay home and drink lots of liquids. This will give you toddler plenty of opportunities for practice and success!

For convenience, when potty training store the potty seat on the wall near the toilet with a Command hook.

Pull-ups has an amazing resource. Get your child excited to start potty training by receiving a phone call from one of their favorite Disney characters. | Pull-Ups

We all know that a toddler wants to do their own thing! This potty watch has three different reminder times (30, 60 or 90 minutes) plus flashing lights and music gently remind your toddler when to go. Get it HERE.

This tip comes from me! Potty training in the night can be hard. Limit liquids 1 to 2 hours before bed. I would always pick up my sleeping toddler at 10 PM (around my bed time) and sit her on the toilet. I would whisper in her ear to “go pee pee on the potty.” This limited our nighttime accidents by A LOT – almost non existent. I did this for months to close to a year. A potty light would be great for those night time visits.

Who wants to clean the poo? Use coffee filters when your child has to poop. Obviously these don’t flush, so just toss in the diaper pail. I always used a plastic grocery bag. | Mama Frankenstein (no longer available)

When traveling, you can use a diaper. Keep a cheap potty chair in your car along with a few diapers. If your child needs to go to the bathroom, open a diaper and put in the bottom of the potty chair. When he is done, wrap up the diaper and done. No mess. | A Haven of Chaos

As a mom of 5, take it from me. The worse thing to clean during potty training is the car seat after an accident. Pick up a waterproof car seat pad (or Piddlepad). We also used changing pad pads or old burp cloths. | Etsy Store LaneyJDesigns (no longer availble)

Note: please go with the directions of your car seat. Some advise no loose fabric between the child and the car seat.

Create a fun potty treat jar. One M&M for sitting on the potty, two M&Ms for going pee-pee and three M&Ms for going poo-poo. | A Pumpkin and a Princess

Put your child backwards on the toilet and give them a dry erase marker. Let them color away. | Source Unknown

Update: I would not suggest letting your child color during the potty . I would suggest starting backwards especially for young boys.

This is one of those, why didn’t’ I think of that items. My child hated the automatic flushing toilet! Carry a pack of post-it notes in your purse. In public bathrooms, place a sticky-note over the sensor to relieve fears! | My Crazy Blessed Life

Tell those cute toddlers they get to pull the paper down to the paper – and when it gets there, they tear it off! (Honestly this would work for my older kids too – anyone else!?!) | Today’s the Best Day

Speaking of the potty, another genius idea – take a look at this potty training tip! Drop blue food coloring in the potty. Tell your child when they go, the water will magically turn green! | Source Unknown

Make your own training pants for potty training with this tutorial! | Life Sew Savory

Create a potty chart with milestones… like Candyland. Place a small sticker on each hallow square and a larger sticker on each solid square. Each solid square gets a reward. | Steps Naptime Notes

Create a potty zone with books, changing of underwear, bubbles, and or something to color. You can put a puppy pad below the toilet. | Source Unknown

Pull-Ups has the Top 8 Potty Training Games | Pull-Ups

Hit up the Dollar Store or Target’s dollar section before you begin training (remember you want to be home a few days). Have a reward potty treat bag for hitting milestones.  This worked very well for our family after we were toilet trained but needed work with #2 in the toilet.| Embellish Goods

These might be useful, take a look at these Top 10 Potty Training Apps. | Source Unknown

Toddlers are tricky – happy one moment, screaming the next. Take a look at these Toddler Tips – Why didn’t I think of that hacks and tricks?! Pin to Pinterest.

Are you a new (even a repeat) mama? I am a mama of 5 and these Newborn Tips, Hacks and Tricks are pretty creative. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.