15 Potty Training Products That Actually Helped

Realistic potty training essentials that helped make accidents, cleanup, travel, public bathrooms, and toddler potty routines feel much less stressful for us as parents.

Motherhood Curated

5/22/2026

Just a heads up! This page includes affiliate links and I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from the links I share.

Potty training can easily feel like one of the most overwhelming toddler phases. Between accidents, public bathrooms, resistance, nighttime wakeups, constant reminders, and trying to stay patient through all of it, it can quickly become exhausting for both parents and toddlers.

While every child is different, there were definitely a few products that genuinely made potty training feel easier, cleaner, less stressful, and much more manageable in our everyday life. These are the potty training essentials I would absolutely buy again because they truly helped simplify the process.

If you’re about to start potty training or currently deep in the toddler accident phase, these are the products that made the biggest difference for us.

1. A Comfortable Potty Training Seat

We tried a few potty seats, and this style felt the most stable, comfortable, and easiest for our toddler to use independently. It helped make the transition to the regular toilet feel much less intimidating and
gave our toddler more confidence during the process.

A good potty seat is one of the biggest potty training essentials because toddlers need to feel secure while learning.

2. A Travel Potty for Car Rides and Errands

This saved us during car rides, errands, parks, playground trips, and public bathroom situations while potty training. It ended up being one of those products we didn’t realize we needed until we suddenly needed it constantly.

Having a portable potty nearby made leaving the house feel so much less stressful during the accident phase.

3. A Toddler Step Stool

A sturdy non-slip step stool made a huge difference in helping our toddler feel independent during potty training. It helped them climb onto the toilet safely and made hand washing easier afterward too.

Simple products that encourage independence can make potty routines feel much smoother for toddlers.

4. Potty Training Underwear

These helped make the transition from diapers feel much more manageable while still helping our toddler recognize accidents better than pull-ups.

Potty training underwear helped reinforce body awareness without feeling like a huge leap all at once.

5. A Waterproof Mattress Protector

This is one of those products you’ll be VERY glad you bought ahead of time. Nighttime accidents are part of potty training for many toddlers, and having waterproof mattress protection saved us from so much laundry stress.

Honestly, this gave me so much peace of mind during the nighttime potty training stage.

6. A Potty Training Reward Chart

This made potty training feel more exciting and motivating without creating too much pressure. Simple visual rewards helped keep our toddler engaged and proud of their progress.

Tiny celebrations really helped encourage consistency during the harder days.

7. Reward Stickers

The tiny rewards honestly made a bigger difference than I expected. Stickers helped create positive reinforcement and made little potty wins feel exciting for our toddler.

Sometimes the simplest things end up working the best.

8. Flushable Wipes

These helped our toddler feel more independent during potty training while also making cleanup easier and less overwhelming for everyone.

Adding small independence tools during potty training can really help build confidence.

9. Potty Training Books

Reading potty training books consistently helped normalize the process and made potty routines feel much less intimidating for our toddler.

Books helped create familiarity and made potty conversations feel more relaxed instead of stressful.

10. Everyone Poops

This book was surprisingly helpful for making potty conversations feel normal and less awkward. It helped reduce some anxiety and resistance around potty training in a very simple toddler-friendly way.

11. Daniel Tiger Potty Time

Daniel Tiger potty content honestly helped potty training click for our toddler more than I expected. Familiar characters made potty routines feel more fun, encouraging, and less intimidating.

12. Elmo Potty Time Book

Interactive potty books helped keep our toddler engaged during the potty training stage instead of immediately resisting it. The sounds and buttons made potty time feel more exciting and playful.

13. A Potty Training Car Seat Cover

This gave me so much peace of mind during the accident phase, especially during longer car rides and errands. One of those products you’ll be incredibly thankful to have before you actually need it.

14. Portable Potty Bags

These were such a lifesaver for travel days, parks, long errands, and emergency potty situations while potty training on the go. They made public bathroom situations feel way less stressful.

15. Waterproof Pads and Blankets

Perfect for protecting couches, beds, movie-night blankets, and favorite toddler spots during the accident phase of potty training. These helped reduce cleanup stress so much.

Potty Training Tips That Helped Us Most

Beyond the products themselves, a few mindset shifts helped make potty training feel much more manageable:

  • Keeping routines consistent

  • Reducing pressure and power struggles

  • Celebrating small wins

  • Expecting accidents

  • Focusing on independence

  • Staying calm during setbacks


Potty training can feel exhausting while you’re in the middle of it, but having practical systems and helpful products really can make the process smoother for both parents and toddlers.

Frequently Asked Questions
What products do you actually need for potty training?

The essentials that helped us most were:


What helped most during potty training?

Consistency, realistic expectations, and products that encouraged independence made the biggest difference for us.

Are reward charts helpful for potty training?

For many toddlers, yes. Small rewards and visual progress tracking can help keep potty training motivating without adding pressure.

What’s the best potty training product for travel?

A portable travel potty was one of our most-used potty training products for errands, parks, and road trips.

Final Thoughts

Potty training can definitely feel overwhelming, especially during the accident-heavy stages, but having a few genuinely helpful products made the process feel much less stressful for us overall.

These are the potty training products I would absolutely buy again because they helped simplify routines, reduce stress, encourage independence, and make everyday toddler life feel a little easier.

I organized all of our favorite potty training products, travel potty essentials, cleanup helpers, and toddler potty training tools in my full curated list here.

And if you’re currently in the middle of potty training right now — you’re definitely not alone.