For many families, the thought of spring cleaning with kids may sound overwhelming. Many parents might choose to clean while the children are away or playing just to avoid the chaos and extra work.
While this strategy might be easier and faster, there are some benefits to teaching your kids to participate. Actually, research shows that involving children as young as three in household chores, like putting away toys or feeding the family pet, can help them develop confidence, be more responsible and develop lifelong resilience skills.
As Mary Poppins once said, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The job’s a game.” Here a few ways to make spring cleaning more fun – for everyone!
Keep it Short: Try 15-30 minutes and take breaks in between. Or try a daily 10-minute quick clean-up session to lock in the habit.
Make it Fun: Play music, put on silly clothes, or open doors and windows – do whatever you can think of to make cleaning fun. Make games out of sorting clothes, play dress up, or try the matching game for socks, pajama sets, and shoes.
Do it Together: Having your child clean with you may be more appealing than them working alone, so make spring cleaning and chores a time for connection.
Create Acknowledgement and Incentives: Kids love acknowledgement, so telling them they are doing a great job or giving them a reward (like a sticker for every pile they go through) can help reinforce a sense of achievement.
Make it a Competition: Kids love a good challenge, so set the clock and see who can pick up the most toys under the time limit is a great way to get them motivated.
Reinforce Ownership: Help your child find their own (safe) cleaning supplies, towels, or fun accessories to use while helping out around the house. Whether it is a small broom or a dinosaur-shaped sponge, giving kids their own tools helps them develop a sense of ownership and personal responsibility.
Age Appropriate Tasks
Ages 3-5: Matching socks, cleaning toys, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, and wiping baseboards with water.
Ages 6-12: Organizing bookshelves, making beds, cleaning windows, sweeping, and sorting items for donation.
Teens: Deep cleaning, vacuuming, cleaning out their own rooms, and assisting with tasks like organizing digital products.
