TinyStepper
Toddler in a bubbly bathtub pouring water through a funnel toy

Splashy Potty Pour

Pour water into containers and practise 'flushing' — a pressure-free way to explore the potty routine through water play.

Activity details

18m–3y10 minslowindoorPlastic ContainersPlastic CupsTowelsWater

Instructions

Get ready
  • Set up a waterproof area — a towel on the floor or the bathroom
  • Provide a small jug, plastic cups, and a bowl as the 'potty'
  1. Set up a waterproof area — a towel on the floor or the bathroom
  2. Provide a small jug, plastic cups, and a bowl as the 'potty'
  3. Show your toddler how to pour water from the jug into the cup
  4. Pour the cup into the 'potty' bowl: 'Ready? Let it go!'
  5. Celebrate the release: 'Splashy! You did it!'
  6. Practise 'flushing' by tipping the bowl into a bucket
  7. Wipe up together with a cloth — 'We clean up after potty time'
  8. Repeat the pour-release-flush-wipe cycle as many times as they want

Parent tip

Set out plastic containers and plastic cups before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Toddler sitting back from a sensory tray looking calm and satisfied after focused play

What success looks like

Watch for focused exploration — fingers digging in, pouring back and forth, or sorting by feel. Even a few minutes of this builds concentration.

This water play activity mirrors the potty routine without any pressure. Toddlers pour water from small cups into a 'potty' container, practise 'flushing' by tipping it into a bowl, and wipe up with a cloth. The pouring and releasing motion builds body awareness around the concept of letting go — the very thing many potty-resistant toddlers struggle with. It's messy, sensory, and completely stress-free.

Why it helps

The NHS recommends a relaxed, child-led approach to potty training, noting that most children show signs of readiness between 18 months and 3 years. Many potty-resistant toddlers struggle with the unfamiliar feeling of 'letting go' on purpose — releasing something from their body feels strange and uncontrollable. This activity practises the concept of deliberate release externally: filling a cup, choosing to pour it out, watching it go. The repeated cycle of hold-then-release builds comfort with the idea that letting go is safe, chosen, and followed by a positive response. Water play also engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which can reduce the generalised anxiety that often surrounds the potty routine.

Variations

  • Add food colouring to the water to make 'colourful wee' — toddlers find this hilarious and it extends engagement.
  • Use a doll or teddy to 'demonstrate' the pouring before your toddler tries.
  • Move the activity to the bath for a fully contained, no-mess version.

Safety tips

  • Keep water lukewarm, never hot — toddlers have sensitive skin.
  • Supervise closely to prevent drinking of coloured water.
  • Dry the floor thoroughly afterwards to prevent slipping.

Want to try another?

Bath Time Colour Mixing Lab

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