How to Make Tooth Brushing Fun for Toddlers: 7 Playful Ideas That Actually Help
Toothbrushing is the one part of the routine I have always dreaded the most.
It doesn’t seem to matter how fun the toothbrush is or that you have a sweet strawberry-tasting toothpaste, as soon as it comes out, that mouth is clamped shut – quite often with a hand in front for an extra layer of security.
Now I’ll admit it, I’ve spent far too long using my phone as a tool to get the job done. And sometimes it’s better to use this than not brushing at all, but it’s not a great long-term plan.
So, here’s where the games come in.
They just lighten the mood and as soon as my three-year-old realises it’s playtime, he’s more than willing to join in.
The goal isn’t to distract them from brushing. It’s to use play to help them participate in the routine.
How to make toothbrushing fun for toddlers? Here are 7 playful ideas
Here are seven playful tooth-brushing ideas for toddlers that you can try when brushing has become one of those daily battles.
1. Toothbrush Detective
Best for: Toddlers who don’t want to open their mouths
What you need:
Toothbrush and mirror
The idea
Turn brushing into a little investigation.
Instead of simply asking your toddler to open their mouth, give them something to look for.
Try saying:
“Hmm… I think I can see some breakfast hiding in there. Shall we investigate?”
How to play
Give your toddler a little mission to find the “hidden” food, bugs, sparkles or whatever else you think might be hiding in their mouth.
You can narrate what you’re doing as you brush.
“I think I found a tiny crumb!”
“Let’s check behind this tooth.”
“Hmm… I wonder what’s hiding at the back?”
The idea is simply to give them a reason to open their mouth and get involved rather than hearing “Open your mouth” for the tenth time.
If they resist
Let them investigate your teeth first.
You can open your mouth and let them have a good look with the mirror before swapping roles.
Builds:
Participation and independence.
Make it easier:
You do all the talking and let them simply watch.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler choose what you’re going to “investigate” first.
2. Brush Teddy’s Teeth First
Best for: Toddlers who want to be in control
What you need:
A favourite teddy, doll or toy
The idea
Sometimes the easiest way to get your toddler interested in something is to let their favourite toy have a go first.
Teddy needs his teeth brushing too!
Try saying:
“Oh no! Teddy hasn’t brushed his teeth yet. Shall we help him?”
Let your toddler pretend to brush Teddy’s teeth.
Then you can swap.
“Teddy’s all ready. I wonder if your teeth are ready too?”
If they resist
Don’t rush straight to their teeth.
Let them continue brushing Teddy’s for a while.
Sometimes simply seeing the routine happen to someone else is enough to make it feel familiar.
Builds:
Confidence, participation and understanding of the routine.
Make it easier:
Let them brush the toy while you brush their teeth.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler decide which teeth Teddy needs help with first.
3. Can You Find the Sleepy Tooth?
Best for: Toddlers who love imagination and pretend play
What you need:
Just a toothbrush
The idea
Give different teeth little personalities. One tooth might be sleepy, another might be hiding, another might be waiting for a tickle.
Try saying:
“I think this tooth is still asleep!”
Then brush that area gently.
“Wake up, sleepy tooth!”
You can make up different characters depending on what your toddler finds funny – maybe one has been waiting all morning for its toothbrush!
If they resist
Let them choose which tooth gets “woken up” first.
Builds:
Imaginative play and participation.
Make it easier:
Keep the story really simple. You don’t need a whole adventure.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler give the teeth their own personalities.
4. Copy My Silly Face
Best for: Toddlers who love copying you
What you need:
A mirror if you have one
The idea
Turn brushing into a mirror game. You make a silly face, they copy, then swap. Open wide, puff out your cheeks, smile, stick your tongue out – whatever makes your toddler laugh.
Try saying:
“Can you make my face?”
Then let them copy you.
Once they’re happily opening their mouth and joining in, you can bring the toothbrush into the game.
The playful reason to open their mouth is already there.
If they resist
Forget the toothbrush for a moment and just play the silly-face game.
You don’t need to turn every second into a demand.
Builds:
Participation, imitation and confidence.
Make it easier:
You lead and they copy.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler choose the next silly face.
5. Toothbrush Race
Best for: Toddlers who enjoy challenges
What you need:
A toothbrush
The idea
Give different parts of the mouth a playful mission.
“Shall we see which side we can clean first?”
You can work around the mouth in sections rather than making brushing feel like one long job.
Try saying:
“Ready? Top teeth first!”
Then:
“Can we get the bottom ones?”
You can add silly sounds or make the toothbrush “zoom” around.
The important thing is to keep it light rather than turning it into a competition your toddler has to win.
If they resist
Don’t make the race about speed.
The “race” can simply be about moving from one section to another.
Builds:
Participation and familiarity with the brushing routine.
Make it easier:
You choose where the toothbrush goes next.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler choose which section comes next.
6. The Toothbrush DJ
Best for: Toddlers who like sounds, music or repetition
What you need:
A toothbrush
The idea
Your toddler gets to choose the “music” or sound for each section of their mouth.
For example:
Top teeth = beep beep!
Bottom teeth = zoom zoom!
Back teeth = chug chug!
You could even make up a little song together.
Try saying:
“What sound should the top teeth make?”
Let them choose.
Then that becomes your cue for brushing that section.
If they resist
You choose the sounds and make them ridiculous.
Sometimes “vvvvvvvvv” coming from a toothbrush is enough to get a smile.
Builds:
Predictability and participation.
Make it easier:
Use the same sounds every time.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler choose the sound and direct you towards the next section.
7. Let Your Toddler Be the Dentist
Best for: Toddlers who love role play or want more control
What you need:
A toothbrush and your imagination
The idea
You become the patient.
Your toddler gets to inspect your teeth.
“Hmm… let’s have a look.”
“Open wide!”
“I think you need a little brushing!”
Then swap roles.
Now it’s their turn to be the patient.
Why I love this one
Role play gives toddlers a chance to experience the routine from the other side. Instead of being told what to do, they’re deciding what happens. They can see you opening your mouth, having your teeth “checked” and taking part in the same routine.
If they resist
Stay as the patient for longer.
Let them examine your teeth, brush yours and generally take charge.
Builds:
Confidence, role play and independence.
Make it easier:
Keep the dentist visit very silly and simple.
Make it more independent:
Let your toddler lead the whole game.
What If Your Toddler Still Refuses?
This is probably the most important part of this whole article.
Because I don’t want to give you seven cute games and leave you thinking that if your toddler still refuses to brush their teeth, you’ve somehow done it wrong.
Play isn’t magic.
Sometimes your toddler will still say no – they might be tired or maybe just really, really don’t want a toothbrush anywhere near their mouth.
If your toddler is already overwhelmed, making the game bigger and more exciting isn’t necessarily going to help. Sometimes a quieter approach works better. You can simply introduce the idea without insisting they play:
“Teddy’s going to have his teeth brushed. Do you want to watch?”
The game is an invitation, not another thing they have to perform.
Start before the toothbrush appears
The transition into toothbrushing can sometimes be just as difficult as the brushing itself.
You can start the play while you’re still leaving the bedroom or heading towards the bathroom.
“I wonder if the toothbrush is awake yet?”
Or:
“Let’s see who can tiptoe to the bathroom.”
The toothbrush doesn’t even need to be involved yet.
How to Choose the Right Tooth-Brushing Game
You don’t need seven games every time.
In fact, if your toddler is already refusing to brush their teeth, you probably don’t want to stand there scrolling through a list of seven ideas trying to decide what to do.
Think about what is making the routine difficult today.
| If your toddler… | Try… |
| Won’t open their mouth | Toothbrush Detective |
| Wants control | Let Your Toddler Be the Dentist |
| Doesn’t want to start | Brush Teddy’s Teeth First |
| Loves pretend play | Can You Find the Sleepy Tooth? |
| Gets distracted | Toothbrush Race |
| Likes copying | Copy My Silly Face |
| Needs predictability | The Toothbrush DJ |
You don’t need to remember all seven.
Pick one that suits the moment and see what happens.
And if it doesn’t work today, it might work tomorrow!
That’s one of the things I love about using games for routines. You’re not introducing another strict system that has to be followed perfectly. You’re simply having a few ideas ready for when you need them.
Turn Tooth Brushing Into a Routine They Can Participate In
For me, the long-term goal isn’t to entertain my toddlers every time they brush their teeth. It’s to help them become more comfortable participating in the routine. Play isn’t just about getting your toddler to do something you need them to do, it’s also about giving them a way into the routine.
Prepare → play → participate → practise independence.
It certainly doesn’t mean there won’t still be mornings and evenings when you find yourself saying, “Open your mouth!” through gritted teeth. But those little playful moments can make the routine feel very different and it doesn’t have to be something you dread twice a day every day!
More Playful Toddler Routine Ideas
Since you’re reading this, I’m guessing toothbrushing isn’t the only everyday routine that has become a bit of a battle in your house… I’m right there with you, which is why I create so many games for these tricky little transitions. I love being able to play with my little ones while still getting the job done, especially on those mornings when they’re about to head off to nursery for the day.
I’ve found that the same idea can work across so many of those little moments toddlers don’t necessarily want to do.
Getting dressed.
Going to the toilet.
Getting into the bath.
Putting shoes on.
Leaving the house.
Getting into the car or pushchair.
Winding down for bedtime.
You don’t need to turn every one of them into an elaborate activity. Sometimes it’s simply about finding a playful way into the thing that needs to happen.
More bedtime games
Getting a toddler to brush their teeth is just one part of the bedtime routine. If other steps are a struggle too, try these bath games, pyjama games and bed games.
They are all simple games that help turn those tricky everyday routines into opportunities for play, connection and growing independence. And because I’m a mum too, I’m particularly interested in games that work in real life. Not activities that require an hour of preparation before the toddler even wakes up or another complicated routine to follow – we have enough to do already!
Just ideas you can actually use when you’re standing in the bathroom with five minutes to leave the house, a closed mouth and an untouched toothbrush.