How To Get Your Kids To Clean ... the FUN way!

We all want our kids to clean up without a fuss. But how do we do this. Research has shown that the ideal age to start getting them to do chores is 3-4. Personally I think the earlier the better and my kids were great helpers even before that age.

From a young age start cleaning with them. Getting them to put something in the bin, getting them to put something in the sink. Helping pass the clothes to you when you are hanging up the washing. Or help pass up the pegs. Get them to put their clothes away in thier room. All these little things will help them get used to the big things to come like cleaning a whole room, washing the dished and taking out the rubbish.

Heres some ways to encourage the kids to clean and make it a little more enjoyable.


Alphabet Game
Get into a room that needs cleaning. Yell out a letter. Say P! Then the kids have to clean up everything that starts with a P. Paint, Playdoh, Pirate Ship etc. This is not only great in getting them to clean but it helps with the alphabet.

Let Them Decide Where Things Go In Thier Room
This will not only encourage ownership of thier room it will also help them clean it up as they know where everything goes.

Turn It Into A Game
If you turn anything into a game it immediately will go from a chore to fun! How about cleaning in colours (pick up all the yellow things) or a race to see who can do thier chore first.


Reward Marbles
Each child has a jar and each chore they complete will earn them a marble. When the jar is full (and this may take a few day or a month depending on how much your child does) they get something special. Maybe a trip to the movies. A trip to the park. A day out with mum or dad.

Music
Pump that upbeat, bouncy, jumping music that will make cleaning seem SO MUCH MORE FUN! Admit it, when you are doing something boring and tedious music makes it a whole lot better :)

Hope this helps someone out there