Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore! With a little creativity, you can turn tidying and organizing into a fun family activity. As a mom of two energetic kids, I’ve learned some great ways to get the whole household involved in sprucing up our home for the warmer months. Here are my top tips for making spring cleaning with kids an engaging, memorable experience.
Make a Game Plan
The first step is sitting down as a family and coming up with a game plan. Have everyone pitch in ideas for areas of the house they think need attention. Make a list of all the tasks like decluttering closets, wiping down walls, cleaning windows, etc. Then you can break it down room by room and tackle it in chunks.
To get the kids excited, present your spring cleaning plans in a fun way. Create a checklist with pictures or stickers that they can mark off as they complete tasks. Assign each child “special jobs” like vacuuming or dusting that make them feel important. Set a timer and challenge them to clean as fast as they can! Making it a game prevents boredom and adds a little healthy competition.
Assign Age-Appropriate Jobs
Obviously, don’t hand the 2-year-old the multipurpose cleaner and expect perfect results. Tailor responsibilities to each child’s capabilities. Preschoolers can happily wipe down cabinets, surfaces, and toys. Elementary aged kids can take on more complex tasks like cleaning blinds, mirrors, and fixtures with supervision. Older kids can totally handle vacuuming, sweeping and mopping floors.
However, resist the urge to be a perfectionist. Keep in mind that kids are still learning! Allow them to make some mistakes and find teachable moments in the process. Focus praise on the effort, not just the outcome.
Make it Fun and Engaging
There are lots of ways to inject fun into monotonous cleaning tasks to hold kids’ interest. Some ideas include:
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Play upbeat music – Let everyone take turns DJing a spring cleaning playlist.
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Have dance breaks – Periodically stop and bust a move as a family to get the wiggles out.
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Create your own cleaning songs – Make up silly songs about scrubbing and sweeping together.
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Tell stories – Take turns telling stories featuring favorite toys as you organize and declutter.
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Make it into a science lesson – Show kids how combining vinegar and baking soda bubbles away grime.
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Conduct toy inspections – Go through toys together deciding what to donate vs. keep.
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Offer rewards – After jobs are done, celebrate with a dance party, special treat, outdoor play time, etc.
If the kids ever seem to lose steam, it’s okay to take a break, switch tasks or save some for later.
Decluttering Tips
Decluttering is an important (and often dreaded) part of spring cleaning. Make it more manageable for kids by following these tips:
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Go room by room – Don’t try to tackle the whole house at once. Set aside a specific decluttering time for each space.
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Sort into categories – Have boxes or bags marked “Keep”, “Donate”, “Trash” for easy organizing.
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Purge toys first – Start by culling toys they’ve outgrown. Be willing to part with sentimental items.
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Involve kids – Have them decide what toys, books and clothes to keep or donate themselves.
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Set timers – Create a sense of urgency by setting a 5 or 10 minute timer for each sorting task.
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Make it a game – Challenge kids to fill a bag with items to donate as fast as they can.
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Be positive – Focus on getting rid of things to make space for new toys or activities they’ll enjoy more.
Keep Safety in Mind
While cleaning with kids can be fun, safety should be your top concern. Here are some precautions to take:
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Supervise closely – Don’t leave young kids unattended when using cleaning products or equipment.
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Use non-toxic cleaners – Choose safer, eco-friendly options whenever possible.
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Hide harmful products – Keep any toxic cleaners up high and out of reach when not in use.
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Model safe habits – Demonstrate how to properly handle and use cleaners, tools, ladders, etc.
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Assign non-hazardous tasks – Have kids stick to cleaning and organizing vs. chemical use.
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Provide safety gear – Use gloves, goggles, masks, or other protective equipment as needed.
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Clean when kids aren’t home – Tackle more dangerous deep cleaning when kids are at school or asleep.
Spring cleaning as a family teaches kids useful life skills and the value of working together for a common goal. Approaching chores with creativity and patience makes it a win-win situation for kids and parents alike! With my tips, you can develop a system that gets your home sparkling clean and brings everyone closer at the same time.
