Let's face it. Potty training isn't fun for you or your little one. I recently went through my second round of potty training boot camp with my son; my daughter went through it first a couple years ago and it was brutal. Our days were filled with trying to convince her to sit on the throne as well as cleaning up and preventing accidents.
Fast forward two years later, and her brother's experience is no different. But there are ways to make it more enjoyable. Here are five fun activities to keep your toddler entertained while potty training.
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1. Arts and crafts
The plan was to keep my son in the kitchen most of the time because cleaning up would be much easier there versus the carpeted rooms. So I came up with different things for him to enjoy at the kitchen table. Painting is one of his favorite things to do. We had some water-based colors from a previous party gift bag and he got to enjoy painting in between trips to the potty. This project kept him focused and less cranky throughout the day.
2. Reading
My son loves story time. My husband and I usually read with our kids at bedtime. But I decided to implement books into our reward system. While his sister liked stickers, he preferred books. So whenever he went pee pee in the potty, we read a story.
3. Sing! Get up and dance
What kid doesn't like music? It calms the soul. Songs are a great way to get kids relaxed and moving. It also takes the chore out of potty training. I'll put on a tune and my son would sing and dance along to the music.
4. Have the electronics fully charged and ready to go
I know some parents are against relying on electronics as a form of entertainment for kids, but it could be a huge help in this case. Running after a busy tot, especially one who has accidents periodically while potty training gets exhausting. We have a bunch of different learning apps and games installed on the tablet and smartphone that keep my son busy while I clean up.
5. Enjoy play time outside
The thought of having your little go outdoors without a diaper may be scary to some. But, we all need some fresh air during the day. I'll take my potty training tot outside in between bathroom breaks to run around and explore. We usually stay close to home in case of a potty emergency. Blowing bubbles and riding his tricycle provides an escape from the potty.
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Everyone has a different take on potty training. There are even a few potty training myths that I've managed to debunk after our experience.
I'll admit that there were some minor setbacks. There were also moments when my son would refuse to get off of the potty as you will see in this video.
It was a new experience that took some getting used to. But even though there were a few hiccups along the way, these fun activities made potty training much easier and more enjoyable for my kids and me.
How do you keep your little ones entertained while they potty train?
