House Cleaning With Kids:
5 Fun Games

Mom and daughter cleaning bedroom.

House cleaning with kids is easier when cleaning is fun for everyone involved. (Or at least as fun as cleaning can be.)

It isn't all that hard to make house cleaning fun - or at least less unfun. 

And with everyone onboard - or at least not whining or griping about house cleaning as much - you can get your home clean each week.

Does it get any better than this? Here are five of my favorite games for bumping up the fun factor to get house cleaning with kids happening.

1.   Make House Cleaning With Kids A Family Affair

House cleaning with kids means just that - Mom and Dad get into the cleaning action, too!  After all, if everyone is working, it's more fun.

2.   Pump Up the Volume

Turn on upbeat music while you and the kids clean. You get the picture - a smiling group making short work of house cleaning. Fill the house with positive energy, not grumbling.

3.   Saturday Morning Players

This saved (or sunk)-by-the-lunch bell approach to getting it all done by lunchtime Saturday was designed for the revolving-door family whose weekly chores occasionally get sidetracked by tests, book reports, and science projects or meetings.

Whatever assigned chores are not accomplished during the week are due by noon Saturday.

This creates a high-energy cleaning session as Saturday morning becomes a high-speed race to the noontime finish. (Mom note: Never volunteer to drive soccer carpool Saturday mornings, so this can happen.)

4.   Delegate Pride

I call this the "Room Monitor System." Each month, assign a different family member a separate room as his or her point of pride.

This means that before lights out, that family member has to give the room the once-over to make sure that it's in good shape.

Assign the little ones the rooms that won't be used past their bedtimes, such as the dining room.

At the end of the month, the family member who has kept the best room gets a special treat, such as his or her choice of a family afternoon or night out.

5.   Cinderella Saturdays

When a big cleanup day is necessary, have the family don sweats and labor the day away dragging rags and pails, a la Cinderella.

In the evening, with a wave of the fairy godmother's wand, the family dresses up and goes out to dinner and a movie, or whatever everyone enjoys together.

Looking forward to a magical family outing makes even the longest list of chores palatable, especially when they're done together. 



You Might Like These:

  • These house chores for kids by age are organized by frequency of chores (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, yearly) and by room.

    House Chores for Kids by Age, Room & Frequency

    These house chores for kids by age are organized by frequency of chores (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, yearly) and by room.

  • Patio chores for kids. This patio chores list for kids details age-appropriate chores little ones can help with on the patio or in the backyard.

    Patio Chores for Kids by Age

    Patio chores for kids. This patio chores list for kids details age-appropriate chores little ones can help with on the patio or in the backyard.

  • Why not just give up and close the door? Because bedroom cleaning with kids now will teach them the essentials they need to know as they go on in life.

    Bedroom Cleaning with Kids

    Why not just give up and close the door? Because bedroom cleaning with kids now will teach them the essentials they need to know as they go on in life.

  • Living room chores for kids. Here's a guide to which living room chores kids can do at what ages. Once a child reaches a certain skill or age level he do chores for the age groups below.

    Living Room Chores for Kids by Age

    Living room chores for kids. Here's a guide to which living room chores kids can do at what ages. Once a child reaches a certain skill or age level he do chores for the age groups below.

  • Spring cleaning with kids? Excited about cleaning? Yes, it really is possible that your kids will not only get excited, but moving, too with these tips.

    Spring Cleaning With Kids

    Spring cleaning with kids? Excited about cleaning? Yes, it really is possible that your kids will not only get excited, but moving, too with these tips.

  • Party clean up with kids. The party is over - and the mess remains. It's time for party clean up. Kids can help with these post-party jobs so everyone can call it a night.

    Party Clean Up With Kids

    Party clean up with kids. The party is over - and the mess remains. It's time for party clean up. Kids can help with these post-party jobs so everyone can call it a night.

  • Before you start bathroom cleaning with kids, gather your arsenal of cleaning supplies. Now, we'll cover cleaning each area of the bathroom in detail. Grab the kids!

    Bathroom Cleaning With Kids

    Before you start bathroom cleaning with kids, gather your arsenal of cleaning supplies. Now, we'll cover cleaning each area of the bathroom in detail. Grab the kids!

  • Kitchen chores for kids by age. At what age can a child set and clear the kitchen table? When can a kid take out the garbage? Here is a guide to age appropriate kitchen chores for kids.

    Kitchen Chores for Kids by Age

    Kitchen chores for kids by age. At what age can a child set and clear the kitchen table? When can a kid take out the garbage? Here is a guide to age appropriate kitchen chores for kids.