Potty Training Gear That Actually Helps

You can potty train with almost nothing. But a small set of well-chosen items genuinely removes friction — and a lot of the marketed "must-haves" are clutter. Here's the honest breakdown, organized by the problem each thing solves. (You'll find specific picks for each of these in our store, grouped into bundles.)

If you're starting from zero: the survival kit

The five things that cover most of what you'll wish you had on day one:

• A potty — either a standalone floor potty (less intimidating, always available) or a seat reducer for the big toilet (no transferring contents). Many families end up with both.
• Training underwear — thicker cotton trainers let a kid feel wet, which teaches awareness, while containing minor accidents better than regular undies.
• An enzymatic cleaner — the only thing that truly removes urine odor from floors and furniture. Regular cleaners leave a scent that invites repeat accidents in the same spot.
• A waterproof mattress protector — you'll want this the moment you drop the nighttime diaper.
• A footstool — underrated hero. Stability for nervous kids, and the squat position makes pooping physically easier.

If your kid is stubborn or wants control

Give them ownership and reduce what there is to fight about:

• A "my size" potty the child picks out, so it's theirs.
• A reward system that stays novel — a mystery box, a spinner, anything that varies. A stale reward stops working fast, especially for spirited or ADHD kids.
• A poop-positive picture book to normalize the scary part.
• A magnetic or reusable chart they control.

For accident cleanup

The day-3 puddle is coming. Be ready:

• Enzymatic cleaner (again — it's that important).
• Thick wipes for fast cleanups.
• Washable pee pads for the couch, car seat, and floor.
• A second mattress protector so a midnight change doesn't mean a bare bed.

For travel and out-of-house

• A folding travel potty seat for public restrooms.
• A self-contained portable potty for the car and places with no bathroom.
• A spare-clothes kit in a wet/dry bag, always packed.

For nighttime (which comes later)

• Overnight pull-ups — nighttime dryness is a separate, later milestone driven by a hormone, not by training. Pull-ups here are the right tool, not a failure.
• Layered protection — mattress protector, then sheet, then a second protector and sheet, so a 2am change is just peeling off the top layer.

What you can skip

• Musical potties with lots of electronics — often become toys and distract from the actual job.
• "Potty training in 3 days" kits at a premium price — the method is free; save your money for good cleaner and underwear.
• Excessive character underwear early on — some kids won't "ruin" the favorite character and hold it instead. Plain trainers first.

Buy for the problem you actually have, not the problem the marketing invented. A good cleaner, decent trainers, and a footstool outperform a cabinet full of gadgets.

Browse our curated bundles in the store — they're grouped exactly this way, by the problem each set solves.

---

Every potty attempt deserves a celebration. Try the free PottyPrize spinner — no signup, no cost, just a little joy when your kid earns it.