Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
Treasure Mouth
While brushing, narrate 'finding' silly things hidden in your toddler's mouth to keep them giggling and opening wide.
Activity details
Instructions
- Start brushing your toddler's teeth as normal
- Pause and gasp dramatically: 'Wait... I think I see something!'
- Narrate a silly discovery: 'There's a tiny elephant hiding behind this tooth!'
- Move to another area: 'Oh! And over here — is that the toast from breakfast?'
- Ask your toddler what they think you'll find next
- Mix real foods from the day with silly imaginary finds
- Finish with: 'All clean — the treasure's all gone!'
What success looks like
A few quiet minutes together without pressure. If your child relaxes even slightly, that’s self-regulation building.
As you brush your toddler's teeth, pretend to discover surprising things behind each tooth. 'Wait — is that a dinosaur back there? And I think I see the banana you had at lunch!' The sillier the better. Your toddler giggles, opens wider, and you get better access to those tricky back teeth. The narration turns a passive, uncomfortable experience into an interactive story they want to hear the end of.
From our family
Both of my kids love this. The sillier the ‘finds,’ the wider they open — and the wider they open, the better the brushing. It pairs brilliantly with My Turn, Your Turn Brushing.
Why it helps
Speech and Language UK recommends following a child's lead during play and narrating what they are doing as one of the most effective ways to build language skills. Narrative distraction is one of the most effective pain and discomfort management techniques for young children. By engaging the imagination, you redirect attention away from the sensory discomfort of brushing. The interactive element — waiting to hear what comes next — motivates your toddler to keep their mouth open longer, which means better brushing coverage.
Variations
- Let your toddler 'find' things in your mouth too during turn-taking brushing.
- Keep a running tally across days: 'We've found three dinosaurs this week!'
- Use the same game during a dentist visit to ease anxiety — whisper to your toddler what you think the dentist will find.
Safety tips
- Keep the brush moving gently while narrating — don't poke or push while your toddler is laughing.
- If your toddler bites down from giggling, pause and wait for them to open again.
- Use a calm, playful tone rather than an excitable one to avoid over-stimulation before bedtime.
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