Helping Children Overcome Fear of Poo Through Play

From Play Dough to Toileting Confidence:

Toilet training can be one of those parenting stages that takes everyone by surprise. Some children breeze through it, while others seem to get stuck — especially when it comes to doing a poo.

If your child is anxious, avoids the toilet, or tries to “hold it in,” you’re definitely not alone. Many children go through a phase of being scared to poo, and while it can feel worrying or frustrating, there are gentle ways to help.

One of the most helpful — and surprisingly powerful — tools you can use is play dough - simple squishy stuff your child already loves, and you can make at home too.

Here is a simple recipe you can colour with food colours. You can choose a darker colour like brown or black, or your child's favourite colour and add glitter if you want to! I have used this recipe for years and it doubles/triples successfully too:

1 cup of flour

1 cup of water

2tsp cream of tartar

1tsp oil

1/4 cup salt

food colouring

Method: Mix all ingredients together in a large pan. Stir over heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until smooth. Place in an air tight container.

Why Some Children Feel Scared to Poo

There are lots of reasons children might find pooing tricky:

• It can feel strange or out of control. Letting something come out of their body can be confusing for little ones.

• Past pain. If they’ve had a hard or painful poo once, they might worry it will hurt again.

• Sensory sensitivity. Some children are very aware of sensations, smells, or sounds — and the toilet can be overwhelming.

• Toilets can seem scary. The flush, the echo, or even just sitting on the toilet can feel too much at first.

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Understanding this helps you approach your child with empathy instead of pressure. Their body and brain just need time, reassurance, and playful practice.

How Play Dough Can Help

Play dough isn’t just a fun craft activity — it’s also a fantastic way to help your child feel more comfortable with their body and the sensations of letting go.

Here’s how it works:

1. Helps With Sensory Regulation

When children squeeze, roll, and squish play dough, they’re exploring pressure and movement in a way that calms the nervous system.It gives similar feelings to pushing and releasing — helping them feel more familiar with those sensations in a fun, safe way.

2. Makes Talking About Poo Normal

Through play, children can explore big feelings. Making “pretend poo” with play dough or talking about it while playing helps take away the shame or secrecy.You can join in and laugh together — humour and play help children feel safe and open.

3. Builds the Right Muscles

Rolling, pressing, and squeezing play dough strengthens little hands, tummies, and cores — all muscles that help with sitting, pushing, and staying balanced on the toilet.

4. Practices the Toilet Routine

Play dough can be used to act out the whole process — from “making the poo” to “flushing” it away.Children learn by repeating and pretending, so this kind of imaginative play helps the real thing feel less mysterious and more predictable.

Fun Play Dough Ideas to Try

1. Poo Factory: Roll brown play dough into little balls or “sausages” and “flush” them into a toy toilet or cup. Keep it silly and lighthearted!

2. Gut Journey: Make a long “intestine” with play dough and roll beads through it to show how food travels through the body.

3. Potty Practice: Give a doll or figure a “toilet” made from a small cup, and act out the steps — sitting, wiping, flushing, washing hands.

4. Relax & Squish: Let your child play with play dough while sitting on the potty or toilet. The squeezing action can help their body relax.

What to Say While You Play

Keep your words gentle, curious, and encouraging:

• “Everyone does poo — it’s how our bodies stay healthy.”

• “It’s okay if it feels a bit strange. You’re learning and getting braver every time.”

• “Look how you pushed that dough out — that’s just like what your body does when you go poo!”

The goal is to make pooing normal, safe, and not a big deal.

Final Thoughts for Parents

When a child is afraid to poo, it’s not bad behaviour — it’s a sign they need help feeling safe and in control. Using play dough gives them a hands-on way to explore those sensations and emotions at their own pace.

Through play, laughter, and a bit of mess, you’re helping your child’s body and brain connect in a healthy, confident way.

Sometimes, the best way to help your child feel comfortable with toileting isn’t by sitting on the potty — it’s by sitting beside them at the table, rolling play dough together.