Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
My Turn, Your Turn Brushing
Turn-taking teeth brushing where child brushes parent's teeth, then parent brushes theirs — making the routine exciting.
Activity details
Instructions
- Give your toddler their toothbrush (or a spare one for you)
- Kneel down to their level and open your mouth wide
- Let them brush your teeth — make silly sounds and exaggerated faces
- After 30 seconds, say: 'My turn now! Open wide!'
- Brush their teeth gently while they're still giggling
- Finish with a mirror check together: 'Look how sparkly!'
What success looks like
A few quiet minutes together without pressure. If your child relaxes even slightly, that’s self-regulation building.
Hand your toddler a toothbrush and let them brush your teeth first. Open wide, make funny faces, and let them be in charge. Then swap: 'My turn now!' The novelty of brushing a grown-up's teeth is irresistible, and the turn-taking structure makes the handover to 'parent's turn' feel fair rather than forced. What was a nightly battle becomes a game both of you look forward to.
From our family
This one changed our bedtime routine completely. My son (nearly 3) now genuinely looks forward to brushing — my wife recently commented on how good his teeth look, and it’s entirely down to the turn-taking making it something he wants to do rather than something done to him.
Why it helps
The EYFS framework's early learning goals state that children at the expected level will manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs — making routine self-care practice a key school-readiness skill. Toddlers resist teeth brushing largely because it feels like something done to them rather than with them. Turn-taking restores autonomy — they experience both roles, which builds cooperation. The sensory discomfort of brushing is also easier to tolerate when preceded by the fun of being in charge. Over time, the routine becomes associated with connection rather than conflict.
Variations
- Let your toddler brush in front of a mirror so they can watch themselves being the 'dentist.'
- Add a timer or short song — whoever is being brushed has to keep their mouth open until it finishes.
- Take turns brushing a stuffed animal's teeth first to ease into the routine.
Safety tips
- Use a soft-bristled brush and supervise closely when your toddler brushes your teeth.
- Keep toothpaste amounts small — a smear for under-threes, a pea-sized amount for older toddlers.
- Never leave your toddler unattended with a toothbrush as they could poke themselves.
Get weekly activity ideas for your toddler
One email a week with practical toddler activities, behaviour tips, and developmental insights. No spam, unsubscribe any time.