Little boys and bleach go hand in hand. No, really! If you’ve ever had one living (or visiting) under your roof, you’ve probably encountered the dread toilet misfire. Sprinkles, splashes, and sometimes puddles of—well, you know—end up far from the gaping hole where they’re meant to be deposited. If you’re lucky, the culprit lets you know. More often, you discover the unwelcome surprise later.
Toilets have been around for hundreds of years, and it seems like parents in the civilized world have been trying to find a solution to this foul problem for just as long. Here we offer five of the most inventive (and in some cases hilarious) solutions we’ve seen for dealing with “kid aim”:
- Clear packing tape applied between the tank and stool to keep rogue urine from entering the gap there (replaced regularly, of course).
- A no-slip bathtub decal applied to the bottom of the toilet to serve as a target.
- A little vial of dish soap near the toilet, so the little guy can try to make bubbles when he goes.
- A tank drop-in that makes the toilet water blue, turning every potty trip into an experiment in mixing primary colors.
- The funniest of all: a megaphone near the toilet, inverted to “direct” urine to its proper destination.
Note that pediatric experts often advise checking with a doctor for medical or anatomical issues that could be causing poor aim. In the meantime, be sure to keep disinfectant wipes near the toilet, and remember that plumbers advise against using flushable ones. Despite their name, they can actually clog your plumbing. Good luck!