Very few people truly love doing household chores, but they are a necessary part of life and an ongoing project to keep up with. Many parents struggle with how to make chores fun for kids and get them to help out with age-appropriate cleaning and organization tasks.
Since we at Household Staffing International work closely with the best nannies and housekeepers in the world, we’d like to share our best expert tips for how to get kids to help out around the house and fun chores for kids.
Why Chores Are Important for Kids
It’s important for parents to remember that assigning chores to kids isn’t mean, cruel, or a form of punishment. In fact, there are many benefits to getting kids involved with chores that will last them a lifetime.
Chores teach kids about important life skills and help them become more responsible, independent, and self-reliant. They emphasize the importance of teamwork in life and build a strong work ethic in children. Listening to parent’s and caregivers’ instructions instills a greater sense of respect in children, helps them improve their planning skills, and gives them a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.
Making Chores a Family Activity
Children learn by example, so it’s important to set a good example as parents and caregivers with regard to house chores. This might mean not leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight, picking up toys after playtime, and making a point to clear away clutter on a regular basis. Chore time also gives families time to bond and work together, which is important for a child’s self-esteem and sense of interconnectedness.
The Most Fun Chores for Kids
There are strategies for how to make chores fun for kids so that they barely even realize they’re doing work! For example, many kids enjoy preparing food and helping to make snacks and lunches in the kitchen. Sweeping can be fun for kids with a child-size broom, as well as watering the garden to get some outside time and exercise. Try introducing your kids to various other fun tasks, such as washing the car, checking the mail, loading the washing machine, and shopping for groceries to see what tasks they naturally gravitate to.
Put on some music that kids can sing along with and dance to while doing chores to increase the fun factor. Once chore tasks are complete, plan something fun for your family as a reward, such as going out to dinner to celebrate your newly clean house or seeing a movie together in a theater to relax and unwind.
Chore Wheels and Charts to Stay Organized
A great way to stay organized with family chores is to make a homemade chore wheel or chore chart. Chore wheels add elements of chance and fun to doing chores by letting kids spin the wheel to see what chore they are assigned to. If your family members decide on certain chores that each person is responsible for, a chore chart can keep you organized and later used to reward kids for completing items on their chore list.
Extra Help with Kids and Chores
Even with kids’ help, many families could use a little extra assistance around the house with house cleaning chores and general childcare needs. This is where Household Staffing International can help by connecting you with an expert housekeeper or nanny to keep your home looking great all week long.
Give us a call at 212-683-7722 to learn more, or check out our website to hire household staff, browse candidates, and learn more tips like these on our blog.