Strategies for Encouraging Kids to Help with Cleaning

Having a clean house with kids in it can be extremely challenging. If your kids are home all day it is even harder. The good news is that there are some great ways to encourage your kids to help clean.

Getting kids to participate in household chores can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. With a few creative approaches and a bit of patience, you can turn cleaning time into a collaborative and enjoyable activity for the whole family.

Create a Festive Atmosphere

Transform cleaning sessions into lively events by cranking up some tunes and involving the entire family. Music adds energy to the atmosphere and fosters a sense of camaraderie as everyone pitches in together. Kids are more likely to participate enthusiastically when they see cleaning as a fun group activity rather than a tedious chore.

We have a playlist on Spotify on the Echo Dots through the house with a bit of everyone’s favorite upbeat music so we can sing and dance while we clean the house.

Turn Cleaning into a Challenge

Spark your kids’ competitive spirit by turning cleaning tasks into friendly competitions. Challenge them to complete a task within a set timeframe or bet them they can’t tidy up a designated area faster than you can. Children love rising to challenges and proving their abilities, making cleaning time more engaging and productive.

If you have several kids you can set up a chart and mark off completed chores to see who can get the most done. Another great option is to do things like give each child a bag and see who can fill the bag first.

Introduce Sensory Play

Engage young children in cleaning by incorporating sensory play into the process. For example, turn wiping down surfaces into a sensory experience by applying shaving cream and encouraging them to spread it around. Cheap shaving cream makes a great deep cleaner and deodorizer.

Not only does this make cleaning more enjoyable, but it also helps develop sensory skills and fosters a positive attitude towards household chores. I find this is extremely effective for young kids who are sensory seekers.

Offer Developmentally Appropriate Chores

Assign tasks that match your child’s age and abilities to increase their likelihood of success and reduce frustration. Invest in kid-sized cleaning tools that are easy for little hands to handle, making the tasks feel more manageable and empowering for your child.

For a budget-friendly option, you can get lightweight broom handles and attachments from the local dollar tree. Swiffer dust mops can be adjusted to leave out the middle pole to make them child-height.

Use Incentives and Rewards

Motivate your kids to help with cleaning by offering rewards for their efforts. Whether it’s a special treat, a family outing, or extra screen time, rewards provide positive reinforcement and encourage continued participation in household chores.

Turn cleaning into a game

Right now the favorite game here is to dress up in aprons and work on household chores pretending that we are running a busy cafe. This gets the cleaning and baking done for the day while everyone has a great time practicing money math, and gets to use their imagination.

Implement a Lost and Found System

Combat clutter by implementing a “lost and found” system for items left out by your kids. If they neglect to tidy up after themselves, collect the items and place them in a designated bin. Eventually, they’ll learn the importance of taking responsibility for their belongings, incentivizing them to keep their spaces tidy.

Break Tasks into Manageable Steps

Make cleaning more manageable for kids by breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. Provide them with a specific focus, such as gathering dirty laundry or picking up toys, to prevent overwhelm and facilitate the successful completion of chores.

By implementing these strategies, you can transform cleaning time into a collaborative and enjoyable experience that fosters responsibility and teamwork among family members. With creativity and consistency, you can instill positive habits that will benefit your children for years to come.