Why Play Is the Most Underrated Potty Training Tool

If you’ve ever felt like potty training has to be all structure, charts, and serious business — you’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that success comes from being rigid or constantly correcting your toddler.

But here’s the truth: play is one of the most powerful tools you can bring to the potty training process — and it's wildly underrated.

As a pediatric physical therapist, I help kids meet developmental milestones through play, connection, and trust. Potty training is no exception — and when we lean into playful approaches, everything shifts.

Why play works so well:

Play lowers pressure and boosts confidence.

Toddlers aren’t wired to sit still and follow rigid routines — they’re built to learn through movement, imagination, and connection. When we bring play into potty learning, we shift the focus away from pressure and toward possibility.

Whether it’s guiding a stuffed animal to the potty, singing a silly song, or tiptoeing down the hall like a sneaky ninja, play invites your toddler to engage instead of resist.

It turns “I don’t want to!” into “Let’s try it again!”

Play isn’t just fun — it’s developmentally appropriate.

Potty training is a big deal — physically, emotionally, and even socially. It involves body awareness, timing, coordination, and a good dose of emotional regulation. That’s a lot for a toddler!

Play helps toddlers:

🧠 get a sense of control in a process that can feel overwhelming
🪁 get a chance to practice without pressure (like pushing pants down or climbing onto the potty)
😄 learn through laughter — which boosts cooperation and memory
🎭 understand the routine in a pressure-free way
🧸 work through fears or uncertainty using pretend scenarios
🌟 feel more in control and proud of their progress

Fun ways to bring more play into potty training:

Here are a few of my favorite simple ideas:

🎶 Make a potty song together — the sillier the better! (It helps with routines and makes them feel in control.)

🚽 Let them decorate the potty with stickers or washable markers.

🪜 Turn bathroom trips into a game — hop, tiptoe, or dance your way there.

📚 Read playful potty books together — especially ones with humor and positive messages.

💬 Create a pretend potty scenario — your toddler becomes the “potty teacher” and explains it to you.

The key is to follow their lead, keep the vibe light, and celebrate effort (not just results).

When potty learning feels like play, your toddler is more likely to try — and keep trying — because it feels safe, doable, and even fun.