How to Make a Toddler Snap Belt

My oldest son is 2 1/2  years old and has started to show interest in potty training. This made me dance for joy since I also have a 1 yr old and changing diapers for two kids is getting a little old. We started using cloth training pants while at home so that he can get the feel for not wearing a diaper. However, without a diaper, his pants keep falling down! So, I decided to make him a belt.  But I didn’t want to make a traditional belt since we are potty training and I don’t want to make it difficult for him to take the pants off.

Materials:

• 1″ wide knit elastic
• 6 sets of size 20 plastic snaps
• snap pliers
• awl
• scissors
• marker

Instructions:

• Cut elastic to 11″ long. Use the marker to make a dot 3/4″ in from the end, 1 1/2″ from the first dot and then 1/2″ from the second dot. Repeat on the opposite side.
• Use the awl to make holes in the dots. Fold the end in on each side and insert a male snap. Add a female snap to the other 2 dots. Repeat on the opposite side.
• Lace the elastic belt through the back belt loops with the snaps facing in and wrap the end snaps in around the last belt loops.

You can get the snap pliers are Joann Crafts Stores in their Babyville section. I bought mine from KamSnaps and I love them! They have snaps in every color and also have some with engraved shapes like hearts, stars, animals, etc. I have been using them to add snaps to just about everything. I like the snaps so much more than using Velcro because they are sturdy and never stick to anything!

So far the belt is working out great! It keeps his pants up and does not slow him down when he needs to go potty. I’ll be headed out to Joann’s this weekend to get a few different colors so that he has a belt to match all his pants.