When parents consider the work they do around the house, it can be fairly easy to construct lists of chores for kids. A good tip is to make sure that chores are age appropriate because overly difficult chores will turn kids off housework quickly. In contrast, chores that are too simple may be considered too juvenile by older kids, and they may prefer work that shows they're growing up and are more mature.
Chores for kids who are very young should probably be supervised by parents. Kids aged two to four may be eager to help because they see what parents or older siblings are doing and want to be part of the action.It's especially important to make chores easy to complete and give lots of praise to kids who perform them so they associate good feelings with housework.
Some sample chores for toddlers and pre-school ages can include a lot of "helping chores." For instance, children can help pick up toys or set the silverware on the table. Other chores for kids of this age include helping to dust with a cloth or a sock, cleaning the lower parts of windows while a parent cleans the top, and helping to make their beds. It's recommended that children of this age shouldn't use any types of toxic cleaners. Window washing, for instance, can use vinegar <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-vinegar.htm> water instead of harsher window cleaning solutions.
School age children greatly increase their capacity to do more complicated chores. These can include making the bed, gathering up laundry from their bedroom floors, and making sure all toys are put away. Beyond keeping bedrooms neat, household chores for kids can include unloading the clothes dryer, also unloading some parts of the dishwasher if you are there, drying dishes, sweeping, raking leaves or pulling weeds, and setting the table. As children get older, use discretion to determine what chores they're ready to do.
Preteens and teens can help prepare meals, make simple breakfast or lunch, wash dishes or load the dishwasher, do laundry, and vacuum. All Children love it when their children work with them. It becomes fun rather than a job. Other chores for kids ten and up include changing bed sheets, folding laundry, and taking care of pets. On this last chore, parents may want to follow up to be sure things like feeding pets is being done as needed so a pet doesn't go hungry or thirsty.
Older teens, especially if they've been doing chores all their lives, are quite capable of doing most things adults do. They can clean out garages, shop for groceries, prepare most any meal, and do intensive cleaning. Teen drivers may be able to drop younger siblings off at school or run all kinds of errands for parents.
Just as age is important in considering chores for kids, it's also a good idea to look at the requirements of kids from other sources. Intensive years in school, or going to school and holding a job may mean kids are already working enough. Parents don't have to have everyday chores when kids are pressed for time. Instead the family can work on chore projects as needed and when each of those family members has a little extra time to get things done.
Remember, you may not be Mary Poppins <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mary-poppins.htm> and able to whisk clothes away with a charming hand gesture, but you don't need magic to make cleaning fun for kids. There are a variety of methods you can employ to help children enjoy cleaning, especially when they're younger. There are also a few things you can do to help encourage older kids to do their chores or housework without complaint.
First, bear in mind that most children, especially when they're young, see grownup jobs as something terrific and mysterious. An attitude that children get to do chores instead of having to do them may help make cleaning fun for kids. Instead of assuming that they are going to hate cleaning, try to assume that they may like to try something new, like vacuuming the floors or putting away clothes neatly.
Don't teach them how to do everything at once. Rather, you may want to present one or two cleaning tasks as things they get to do now and save other cleaning jobs as things they get to learn when they're older.
Perhaps you can't sell this idea well. Children, especially older ones, may not buy the argument that it's a privilege to clean. As I said above, working alongside them can help make cleaning fun for kids when they're skeptical. Getting parent time instead of being "sent to work" may be more enjoyable, especially if you are not overly critical.
Another idea to make cleaning fun for kids is to consider having something going on simultaneously that kids enjoy. Play a game, like a toy race, to see which child can put away the most toys. Turn on favorite kid music and take one minute "silly dance" breaks throughout cleaning tasks to amp up fun. Try surprising kids by having them clean in costume or while speaking only in accents.
If you make cleaning fun for kids by doing something special, silly or entertaining, any task is likely to fly by and be more fun. Another tactic is to offer rewards for cleaning. Rewards and incentives may work for more reluctant or willful children; build in extra privileges once in a while when the cleaning gets done. This way even if the cleaning isn't fun, there's something to look forward to immediately afterwards.
Learning to associate fun times with houses that sparkle with finished chores may encourage kids to view cleaning positively in later life. For this to work, make rewards for cleaning occur right after a cleaning session. Rewards don't have to be big, the family that cleans together before playing a board game <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-board-game.htm> or getting to rent a special movie may help kids view cleaning as more fun than work.
Use your imagination to make cleaning fun for kids, or at least to get them to do it without complaint. Think about what your kids enjoy, and your options for making chores pleasant. There is usually some way to help your children clean without viewing chores as essentially negative.
Verbally applaud them and the quality of the job they did to the other family members for their help. If you have friends come over, also applaud them to those individuals. Brag on them. It makes them feel valuable and they will love all the encouragement they receive. It also prepares them for the next time you need their help. You can never make them feel too good for what they help you accomplish.
