Childcare, 20 of the Best Potty Training Bribes Ever :)

Potty training can be a daunting task for both the parents and the child.

Some kids, for their own reasons, are terrified of going potty on the toilet and need a little extra incentive to do it. Parents who have already experienced trying to potty train their kids know what tactics work.

They also know that what works for one child might not work for another.

Remember that each child is different and that you always need to have patience for your reluctant child.

Here are 20 of the Best Potty Training Bribes Ever 🙂

1. Stickers – One tried and true bribe is the sticker method. Kids love stickers, and it’s a special treat to receive a shiny, colorful decal to put anywhere they want. Be sure they know what they are getting the sticker for so they know what to do to receive it again.
2. Candy – Some parents don’t believe in this method because they don’t want to spoil their kids with things that are unhealthy for them. Others swear that it’s the most effective and fastest method of potty training a reluctant toddler. Just a couple of small pieces of your child’s favorite treat can be enough to encourage them to use the potty.
3. Pretend Money in Exchange for a Real Toy – Give your child a dollar of play money every time they go on the potty, and once they have earned a certain amount, take them to the store to pick out a small “prize.”
4. Let’s Take a Trip! – Bribery has many levels, and one that can work for the child that is always thinking of the future is a trip to a favorite place or to a new place. If your child loves going to the zoo, promise a trip to the zoo when they go a full week with no accidents.
5. Pick Out Underwear – Kids have fun picking out their outfits, so why not let them pick out their big kid underwear before they get to use it? Explain to your child what the underwear is for and that they will be allowed to wear their new favorite undies when they go to the bathroom on the toilet.
6. Stuffed Animals – Have a special stuffed animal that your child gets to play with after they use the potty. It can even be a stuffed animal that was made to use the potty too.
7. Snack Time – Turn the time after potty time into snack time. They get their favorite snacks as a reward for using the bathroom and after a few days, they will remember that’s what happens when they go.
8. A New Pet – Promising a pet is serious business, so only use this bribe if you mean to stick with it and are prepared to take responsibility for an animal your child is too young to properly care for without assistance. If your child has always wanted a kitten and you promise to deliver one after a specified amount of time without accidents, you’d better stick to your guns. Otherwise, your child may revert back to being in diapers for a bit longer than you’d like.
9. Read a Favorite Book – Some kids know they have to go to the bathroom, but it takes them a while to actually go. While they are on the toilet, read a book with them and then promise to read their favorite book after they go. That way, it’s instant gratification and also a little reward to look forward to.
10. Fun Activity – Promise a fun activity for after they use the potty. This can be anything from finger painting to blowing bubbles to baking cookies. Have fun with it and ask your child what they want to do when they are done going potty.
11. Hugs – While you are probably giving your child hugs often already, giving an enthusiastic hug after going potty is a way to encourage that behavior in the future. They get excited when you are excited and they catch on to the fact that it’s a good thing they used the restroom.
12. Potty Dance – Parents have sworn by “The Potty Dance” song and routine fervently, insisting that it helped their child learn to use the potty. This is an energetic and exciting dance that takes place by all members of the family who are present after the success of the child learning to use the toilet.
13. Secret Poster Reveal – Buy a poster for your child that you know he will love. Cover it with sticky notes or pieces of paper. Each time he uses the toilet to go to the bathroom and is successful, take away a piece of paper so he will slowly see what the poster is and be more excited to uncover it as the picture is revealed.
14. Fill Up that Piggy Bank – If your child has a piggy bank, it’s likely she loves filling it up with coins. Every time she goes to the bathroom, give her a coin or two to add to her piggy bank. Once she has mastered the art of using the potty, use the money in the bank to buy a toy she’s been asking for lately.
15. Open Presents – Turn potty training into a party! Few things are more exciting for a child than to open a present. Just think back on his last birthday and the fun he had tearing off the paper. For the most part, he didn’t care what was in the package, did he? So, wrap up a cheap little toy or trinket and give him one for every time he goes in the toilet.
16. Add to a Collection – If your child has an established collection of favorite things, you may be able to use it to your potty training advantage. Promise to add to her budding collection if she uses the bathroom to go potty and doesn’t rely on a diaper. You can make this a daily or a weekly reward, depending on your budget.
17. Bubble Bath – As with any bribe, the reward has to be worth the hassle. So, turn bath time into something super fun by promising to add bubble bath to the water for each time she goes to the bathroom on the toilet.
18. Computer or Tablet Use – Is your young one addicted to technology despite your efforts to curb his budding habit? Only allow him to use the computer or tablet for games if he goes to the bathroom using the potty instead of going in his diaper.
19. Fruit Snacks – Fruit snacks are a healthier reward than candy and kids love them. You can either let your child have a whole packet of fruit snacks or just one or two, saving the rest for later in the day. Either way, your child will remember the delicious reward and want more.
20. Play Video Games – Let your child play her favorite video game if she uses the potty. She will see that going to the bathroom when she needs to is an easy way to have fun with her video games. Even during potty training, however, it’s important to remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two years of age have extremely limited screen time.

When it comes to bribing your kid, don’t make promises you won’t keep. Doing so will not only break the bond of trust between you and your child, but you’ll likely experience potty training setbacks as well.