Summer is a great time to begin potty training your toddler. The warm weather, longer daylight hours, and more opportunities for outdoor play can make the process feel more relaxed and enjoyable for both you and your little one.
As fellow parents, we know firsthand how challenging the potty training journey can be, especially when it comes to saying goodbye to pull-ups and managing nighttime accidents. That’s exactly why we created our award-winning range of nighttime potty training products, to support you every step of the way.
To help make this summer a successful (and dry!) one, here are our top tips for potty training during summer:
1. Take Advantage of the Outdoors
One of the biggest advantages of potty training in summer is that your child can spend more time outside. Often leading to fewer accidents happening as there is less pressure. Letting your child go without a nappy or pull-up while playing in the garden gives them the chance to better recognise their body’s cues.
Accidents are easier to manage outdoors, and kids often feel more relaxed and less self-conscious. You can also use this time to gently talk about how their body works, encouraging awareness without creating stress. Just keep a change of clothes and wipes nearby for easy cleaning!
2. Dress for Easy Potty Breaks
Summer clothing can be a potty training game changer. Choose simple, breathable outfits that your child can quickly pull down and back up by themselves. Clothes such as those with elastic waist bands, shorts, skirts and dresses without tights.
Avoid tight jeans, buttons, or rompers that can slow things down and lead to accidents. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for your child to use the potty independently. Feeling in control helps boost their confidence, especially during spontaneous potty urges.
3. Use Travel Friendly Potty Options
Summer often brings holidays, day trips, and outings to parks or beaches, which can be tricky for potty training. That’s why it’s smart to be prepared. A car seat or pushchair protector is ideal for long journeys, helping to manage unexpected accidents with ease. For overnight stays or camping trips, a waterproof sleeping bag liner offers discreet protection and peace of mind. And don’t forget to pack a travel potty or compact seat insert so your child always has a familiar, comfortable option, wherever your summer takes you.
Also, pack a small potty kit with wipes, extra underwear, hand sanitiser, and a separate bag for any accidents. The more prepared you are, the more relaxed your child will feel when you're away from home.
4. Stick to a Routine (Even During Summer Fun)
While summer offers more flexibility, children thrive on routine, especially when potty training. Late nights, long car rides, and disrupted schedules can lead to missed potty cues or accidents.
Try to maintain consistency by offering regular potty breaks throughout the day, ideally every 1–2 hours, as well as before meals, naps, and bedtime. Even when you're on the go or out for the day, set gentle reminders or build potty breaks into your plans (e.g., “Let’s go before we leave the park”).
Consistency helps form good habits, even during summer adventures.
5. Hydrate Smartly
Keeping well-hydrated during hot summer days is essential, but it can also mean more frequent potty trips and a higher chance of nighttime accidents. Encourage drinking plenty of water during the day but start tapering off liquids an hour or so before bedtime.
Offer a final potty trip right before sleep, and consider using a waterproof bed pad to ease any nighttime worries. Teaching your child to balance hydration with potty timing is a valuable life skill and helps prevent midnight cleaning too!
Potty training in summer can feel more relaxed and even fun with a little preparation. From outdoor practice to easy clothing and smart hydration, these small changes can make a big difference in your child’s progress.
Every child is different, so remember, progress may not be linear, and accidents are part of the learning process. With patience, encouragement, and the right tools, summer can be a successful and positive potty training season.
Take care,
Catherine x
