With kids in the house, keeping the clutter at bay is a never-ending struggle. Enlist the kids to help you with spring cleaning and organizing the house. There are many creative ways to get your kids to help out as you do your Spring Cleaning this year! Cleaning will be a breeze when you make it fun and add some silliness into household chores. If you keep things upbeat, they'll enjoy pitching in — it gives them a great sense of collaboration, accomplishment, responsibility and independence. Here are 5 ways to get your kids involved:
1. Pump up the music! Nothing makes chores easier and puts people in a cheerier mood than some upbeat tunes. Your kids will dance and sing their way to a tidier place! Let them pick up their toys or organize the cupboard, all while dancing the shuffle. Families can benefit from a fresh, clean, and organized home.
2. Collect loose change. Your home is a treasure trove of loose change. Have your kids go on a treasure hunt to collect the loose change lying around the entire house and garage! Search everywhere: in entryways, hallways, in the kitchen, on dressers, in pockets, backpacks, between the sofa cushions, the laundry room, and even underneath the seats and floor mats of the cars. Finders keepers! Whoever finds the money gets to keep it. Wallets are not included! You can also say you’ll match the found money and put it into a money jar for a future family outing.
3. Go “skating” for dust bunnies. Let your kids slip and slide their way to cleaner hardwood, tile or linoleum floors. Have them wear old pairs of socks and “skate” around the house collecting dust bunnies with their feet. Get in on the fun, too! See who can accumulate the largest dust bunny. Just make sure there are no sharp edges or breakable items close by with which kids can hurt themselves if they take a tumble. And be sure to collect all of your dust bunnies in a trash bag as you go along so they don't hop back onto the floor! Kids love this silly and energizing game that gets their hearts pumping and promotes agility and muscle fitness.
4. Hold a garage sale. Once the cleaning is complete, it's the perfect time for a garage sale. “Live with less.” No need to keep things that aren’t bringing you joy or you don’t need anymore. You don’t need to hold on to things ‘just in case,’ since usually ‘just in case’ means never. And all that extra stuff is just taking up space. It’s better to keep the things you use and appreciate, and let go of things that you don’t need. Clothes that have never been worn or don’t fit, things that are never used or outdated, or you’ve outgrown---sell them! It’s the perfect learning experience: teach about money, the value of items, how to get rid of clutter, and how to sell products. Have your kids make colorful signs and post them up in the neighborhood to advertise the date and time of your Garage sale. Spring Cleaning doesn't have to be a drag. Take this opportunity to have some fun with your kids and incorporate some learning in with the cleaning!
5. Donate. If you find yourself left with a bunch of stuff that didn’t sell or isn't accepted by consignment, donate it! There are so many worthwhile, reputable places like shelters, hospitals, day care centers, synagogues and churches. Call ahead first to make sure the organization you've chosen is currently accepting donations. You’ll be spreading joy and teaching your kids about sharing, kindness, and caring.
