Chores can be fun with this genius tip!
Our life is crazy during the week.
Your life is crazy during the week.
During the week we mainly do simple house swoops.
We really only have one day for deep cleaning…and that happens on Saturday mornings.
If that’s your life too, then this crazy-fun way to get kids excited about Saturday morning chores is about to make your weekend cleaning a fun, and welcomed event!
I wish I could say I’ve been doing this the entire 14 years I’ve been a mom.
But, nope. I just came up with this very simple idea recently and my kids are head-over-heels in love with it!
I love it because it’s super simple, not time-consuming and makes chores exciting instead of monotonous and repetitive.
It’s definitely a clean up hack — like this GENIUS toy clean up hack my son came up with!
Before my family and I started implementing this creative way to get weekend chores done, chores would be greeted with moans and groans.
You Can Make Kid Chores for Fun!
I tried lists, teams, timers and bribes.
Sometimes they would work — for one or two kids — but the rest?
They were still dreading the weekend chores and would just go through the motions so they could enjoy the rest of their school-free weekend.
So I thought I might jazz things up a little.
But not too much.
I don’t like getting stressed about incorporating a complex or complicated chore idea. But I definitely want to keep my house clean!
Solution?
We add a dash of fun here and and a dash of fun there.
No point system needed. No chore chart needed. Can I get an “amen”?!
Here’s how this super simple idea works.
How to Make Chores Fun for Kids!
Ok…here’s how it works!
Scribble down the chores you want completed on Saturday morning on a scratch piece of paper. Or you can be all pinterestly creative and use colored construction paper.
That’s as risky as I get when it comes to giving out chores. I’ve been burned too many times with complicated chore charts!
But if you’re a chore chart mama (there’s nothing wrong with that!) you can still use this idea and grab one of these printable chore charts.
Here are some specific chore ideas:
- Wipe down windowsills
- Dust mop the downstairs
- Vacuum all rugs
- Dust all bookshelves
- Scrub bathtub and shower
- Wash and dry all laundry
- Fold all laundry
- Empty all trash cans
- Sweep backyard deck
- Rake leaves in front yard
- Sweep front porch
- Water all house plants
- Clean all mirrors in house.
- Wipe down kitchen cabinets
- Clean fridge
- Clean stove
- Wash and put away all dishes
Make Kids Chores Fun and Doable for Your Family!
Now these are just ideas.
Obviously this list changes based on your family’s size, needs and the ages of the kids in your family. Psst! I know cleaning with toddlers is a completely different ballgame, so here’s tips for encouraging toddlers to clean!
We have teenagers and all the way down to a first-grader.
As a family, we’re able to tackle small and large jobs.
Once you’ve come up with a list of weekend chores, (we normally come up with a list of 20 specific jobs) cut them into strips (or rip them if you don’t feel like grabbing a pair of scissors — wink, wink!).
Fold the strips of paper into tiny pieces and place them in your hand.
WAIT!
I didn’t tell you the best part!
This is not JUST for your kids.
Nope. This list is for you too.
Saturday morning chores should be a fun time for parents to connect with their kids while making their home a shinier, happier place.
So, yes, you do this too!
Moving on.
How Weekend Chores Can Be Fun for Kids AND Parents
Toss all the papers into a small container (or just put them in your hand — because I believe in simple) and let each person close their eyes and pick out a chore.
Take turns picking chores until none remain.
Sure, it may be uneven, but normally I just grab any leftover jobs and offer to take three or four if everyone else has two or three.
Problem solved.
The end.
Remember K.I.S.S. philosophy with this chore idea!
Now, here’s where it gets fun…
At this point, any family member can trade or bargain with another family member to trade chores.
It actually makes it more interesting!
We often get a giggle with the extremes family members are willing to go to if they grab an abominable chore.
For me?
It’s the oven.
If I grab “clean the oven” I will offer payment and take on two additional jobs just to get out of that task!
Don’t judge.
Then, Weekend Chores for Kids Gets Even MORE Fun!
Now, scribble down some jackpot prizes your kids will love.
Again, we’re keeping this simple.
Here’s what my list often looks like:
- $2
- A meal or item from a restaurant under $5
- Stay up 30 minutes extra
- $3
- 30 minutes of game time on the Wii
- Ice cream from your favorite shop
- Get out of dinner clean-up.
- Free drink of your choice (they have chosen anything from a simple can of soda to a caramel frappe!)
- One hour stay-up past bedtime with fun snack
- Trip to the park
- Trip to the library
- Two items from Dollar Tree
- Lunch or diner date with daddy
Cut this list into strips (Or rip them if you’re not OCD) and fold into small pieces.
Or you can print out some reward coupons from here to add to the jackpot!
When chores are completed and have passed mom’s inspection, each child gets to choose one Jackpot prize.
Prizes cannot be traded.
Then, we also offer TWO items from the jackpot for the person with the most helpful and kind attitude during Saturday morning chores.
That’s it.
The end.
No chore charts needed.
And what does everyone get?
They get the awesome feeling of working together to create a cleaner, more welcoming home that everyone gets to enjoy!
They also score some super-fun rewards!
Aaaannnddd…they have the rest of the weekend to relax without chores hanging over their heads!
So, what’s the verdict?
Are you going to try it?
Tell your kids that this weekend chore idea is KID-APPROVED and LOVED (even by teens!)
Enjoy your Saturday morning chores this weekend and go ahead and toss the chore chart that makes everyone want to groan, moan or yawn.
Or, maybe that’s just me…
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