How to Make Kids Excited for Chores: 10 Genius Ways!

Transforming Chore-Time into Family Fun Time

Let’s be honest: getting kids to pitch in with chores without constant nagging can often feel harder than climbing Mount Everest! The whining, negotiating, and dirty looks are all too real for parents. But what if I told you there are secret hacks to not only get your kids doing chores but actually begging to help out more? Yes, you read that right—kids who look forward to chore time and willingly take on tasks. Too good to be true? Not when you tap into the power of making chores fun!

The Key is Transforming Chores Into a Game

Kids naturally love to play, compete, and be rewarded. The secret to chore success is harnessing that energy by turning boring duties into exciting challenges. When you engage their sense of adventure and competition, even scrubbing toilets becomes a thrilling game! Here are 25 creative ways to convert chore time into family fun time.

1. Make Custom Chore Charts

Kids love crossing completed tasks off a list! Have them decorate a personalized chore chart with stickers and colors. Using magnets to hang it on the fridge adds a sense of importance. Just be sure chores are age-appropriate—no mowing lawns for toddlers!

2. Host contests and races

A little healthy competition spices things up! Time the kids while they work and reward the speediest cleaner. Or have contests to see who can stack dishes the fastest or collect the most dirty laundry. Adding a race against the clock turns chores into an exciting game.

3. Assign points to tasks

Make a chore point system where each task earns points based on difficulty. Quick duties like toy pick-up get 5 points, while deep cleaning the bathroom earns 50. Let kids redeem points for prizes like a trip to the movies or extra tablet time. Visual point tallies fuel motivation!

4. Offer prizes for job completion

Small incentives go a long way with kids. Create a “Chore Rewards Bucket” they can pick from after finishing tasks; include bubbles, art supplies, candy, and other motivating treats. Random surprise rewards keep them on their toes!

5. Make custom chore kits

Give kids a sense of ownership by letting them pick out special supplies—mini brooms, custom dusters, fun sponges, etc. Having their own personalized cleaning tools kits makes them feel important and eager to put supplies to use.

6. Blast fun music

Studies show tunes make tasks more enjoyable. Let kids create epic chore playlists to rock out to while they work. Upbeat music they love makes duties feel like a dance party!

7. Get silly

Laughter relieves chore boredom. Challenge kids to unload dishes while doing a funky dance or vacuum while pretending to be bears looking for food. Adding an element of silliness makes chores feel like playtime.

8. Turn tasks into a story

Little kids especially love make-believe. Turn chore time into an imaginative adventure—scrubbing floors becomes erasing a giant’s footprints, or laundry folding is helping fairies make beds. A touch of fantasy transforms chores from drudgery to fairytale fun.

9. Create special family chore times

Set a weekly family chore night when everyone comes together to tackle cleaning. Order pizza as a reward after, play music, and make tasks bonding time. Kids love traditions and look forward to things you do together.

10. Let them get wet and messy

Kids find hosing down patios or splashing soapy water intrinsically fun. Take advantage by letting them scrub outdoor surfaces, wash cars, or give pets baths. Messy duties feel like playtime.

11. Incorporate learning experiences

Chores present great real-world teaching moments. Show how sorting laundry helps cognitive skills. Identify shapes and patterns when folding. Explain the science concepts used to clean. Kids love learning through hands-on tasks!

12. Make chore checklists together

Kids feel ownership when involved in planning. Ask them to help you brainstorm and write down chores that need doing around the house. Let them decorate the list and proudly display it. Taking part gets them invested.

13. Have a dance party

As mentioned, music makes chores happier – amp it up with full dance parties! Pull out hairbrushes as microphones, spin mops as partners, and get your groove on while you clean. Your kids will be having so much fun they won’t even realize they’re working.

14. Tell stories while you work

Storytelling is engaging and also distracts from chores. Come up with silly tales about the adventures of Dusty the Duster looking for missing toys or the escapades of Moppy trying to clean a royal ball. Let your kids’ imaginations run wild too!

15. Make tasks a game

Turn duties into fun challenges: Who can collect the most socks in a laundry basket to win? How fast can you reorganize the pantry before the timer goes off? Can we beat our high score of dishes washed? Framing chores as games and competition removes dread.

16. Give surprisingly fun supplies

Sometimes it’s as simple as letting kids use fun cleaning tools—jelly scrubbers, neon sponges, funky gloves, feathery dusters, etc. Anything that makes supplies more enjoyable to use prevents chore boredom.

17. Offer rewards

After chores are done, let kids pick from a prize box filled with motivating treats – small toys, art supplies, bubbles, candy, etc. Picking their own reward is satisfying. Even just verbal praise and high-fives work!

18. Give important “grown-up” jobs

Make kids feel trusted and capable by assigning tasks that let them use grown-up tools—handheld vacuums, spray bottles, real dusters, etc. Being able to do “big kid” chores boosts self-esteem and enjoyment.

19. Create custodian capes

Give your mini-cleaners official status with personalized capes made from old t-shirts. Add sequins spelling out names and “chore superhero!” Letting them dress up makes chores an imaginary adventure.

20. Start a chore train

Working together is more fun. Have siblings hold hands “train-style” and go room to room completing tasks as a team. They can sing songs along the way! Teamwork boosts morale and productivity.

21. Make it sensory

Let kids finger paint the patio with soapy water or scribble on mirrors before wiping clean. Use textured rags, sticky tape for picking up crumbs, or scented sprays. Engaging the senses elevates chores from boring to interactive.

22. Create a chore calendar

Use magnets to display a chore calendar on the fridge where kids can track duties. Let them decorate it with stickers and rewards for each completed task. Visually seeing progress provides incentive.

23. Give choices

Instead of assigning chores, let kids select from the options. Would they rather take out trash OR sweep floors today? Choice gives them ownership. Allowing them to balance “fun” and “less desirable” tasks also helps.

24. Add variety

Switch up duties now and then so kids don’t get bored doing the same few repeatedly. Rotate laundry folding and dish duty. Save bathroom scrubbing only for every other week. Variety keeps chores novel and interesting.

25. Let them get creative

doodle on surfaces before cleaning, build structures from cleaning supplies, or invent dances while they work. Imagination transforms chores from duty to playtime fun.

The Secret’s Out: Making Chores Fun Works!

When you engage your kids’ love of play and inject fun into chores through games, competition, rewards, silliness, and creativity – duties transform into family bonding time everyone looks forward to. Don’t be surprised when your children start asking to help out around the house!

10 Key Benefits of Getting Kids to Do Chores

Beyond just making chore time more enjoyable, giving kids cleaning duties provides them huge benefits for development, life skills, values, and future success. Here are 10 major perks of chores.

1. Teaches Responsibility

Completing chores consistently helps children understand the importance of contributing to family and home. They learn to take initiative and fulfill obligations without constant reminding.

2. Builds Confidence & Independence

Being trusted with “grown-up” tasks makes kids feel capable. Mastering new skills through chores boosts self-esteem. They realize they can handle challenges on their own.

3. Reinforces Cooperation

Family chore time promotes bonding and teaches teamwork. Kids see parents pitch in too. They learn the importance of group effort to maintain a home.

4. Provides Learning Experiences

Chores let kids gain knowledge and practice real-world skills – following recipes, making schedules, budgeting, and using appliances and tools properly. It’s learning through doing.

5. Teaches Time Management

Having set chores teaches kids how to schedule tasks and prioritize what needs to be done first. They learn effective time management.

6. Encourages Goal-Setting

Completing chore charts and earning rewards for duties accomplished motivates kids to set and achieve goals. They gain satisfaction from seeing progress.

7. teaches value of money

Children who earn an allowance for chores learn that you must work to acquire money for things you want. They gain important financial literacy.

8. Promotes Physical Health

Active chores like sweeping or mopping provide exercise. Studies show kids who do chores are thinner and have greater body coordination and fitness.

9. Instills Pride & Satisfaction

Seeing tangible results from their work, like clean floors or folded laundry, gives kids a sense of fulfillment. They feel pride in contributing to home and family.

10. Leads to Future Success

Research correlates chores with success later in life—better relationships, higher-paying jobs, and leadership skills. Responsibilities learned young yield lifelong benefits.

Choosing Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids

Not all chores are suitable for all ages. Matching duties to your child’s development level ensures success. Here are examples of chores appropriate for different age ranges:

Ages 2-3

• Put away toys
• Wipe spills with a cloth
• Put clothes in the hamper
• Help make the bed
• Unload utensils from the dishwasher
• Fetch items
• Clear plates from the table
• Water houseplants
• Feed pets with supervision

Ages 4-5

• Sort silverware from the dishwasher
• Dust furniture
• Put away clean clothes
• Help load and unload washer and dryer
• Empty small trash cans
• Set and clear table
• Sweep floors with kid broom
• Make bed
• Fold towels

Ages 6-7

• Vacuum floors
• Sweep porches/sidewalks
• Take out trash
• Make simple snacks and sandwiches
• Load or unload the dishwasher
• Fold and put away laundry
• Help mop floors
• Clean bathroom sinks
• Clean mirrors and windows

Ages 8-9

• Scrub bathtubs and showers
• Rake leaves and pull weeds
• Sort recycling
• Wash family car
• Clean baseboards
• Sweep and mop
• Help prepare meals
• Organize drawers and closets
• Change bed sheets

Ages 10-12

• Mow lawn (with supervision at first)
• Clean windows inside and out
• Scrub floors on hands and knees
• Vacuum furniture
• Do laundry from start to finish
• Wash bathrooms thoroughly
• Help grocery shop and budget
• Cook full meals with guidance
• Care for pets independently

Chore Checklists for Kids By Age

Printable chore charts help keep kids on track to complete age-appropriate tasks. Here are handy chore checklists you can download, customize, and use:

Ages 2-3 Chore Chart

• Putting away toys
• Putting dirty clothes in the hamper
• Helping make the bed
• Feeding pets
• Putting dishes in the sink
• Using handheld vacuum
• Dusting with cloth
• Setting table
• Throwing away trash
• Watering plants

Ages 4-5 Chore Chart

• Loading dishes in dishwasher
• Wiping down tables
• Putting away clean clothes
• Making the bed
• Bringing in mail or newspapers
• Emptying small trash cans
• Setting and clearing the table
• Dusting furniture
• Folding towels
• Sweeping floors

Ages 6-7 Chore Chart

• Taking out trash and recycling
• Making simple snacks or meals
• Loading Dishwasher
• Sweeping floors
• Mopping floors
• Vacuuming floors and furniture
• Dusting surfaces
• Cleaning bathroom sinks
• Folding laundry
• Caring for pets

Ages 8-9 Chore Chart

• Cleaning bathrooms
• Changing bed sheets
• Folding and putting away laundry
• Sweeping floors
• Mopping floors
• Vacuuming carpets
• Taking out trash or recycling
• Caring for pets
• Making simple meals
• Washing family cars

Chore Ideas List for Kids

When making chore charts, it helps to have a master list of age-appropriate tasks. Here are 50 chores for toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens.

1. Put away toys and books
2. Make their bed
3. Put dirty clothes in hamper
4. Wipe down counters
5. Set and clear table
6. Load or unload the dishwasher
7. Empty small trash cans
8. Sweep floor
9. Hand-wash plastic dishes
10. Unload utensils from the dishwasher
11. Dust furniture
12. Sort laundry
13. Fold and put away clean clothes
14. Take out garbage
15. Help make simple snacks
16. Use a hand vacuum to clean crumbs
17. Water houseplants
18. Care for pets: feed, brush, and play
19. Clean up pet messes
20. Wipe down bathroom surfaces
21. Spray and wipe mirrors
22. Put away groceries
23. Vacuum floors and furniture
24. Mop tile floors
25. Clean walls and baseboards
26. Clean inside appliances (microwave, fridge)
27. Wash family car
28. Sweep and hose off the patio
29. Pull weeds from the garden
30. Rake up leaves
31. Empty recycling
32. Help make the grocery list
33. Clean windows
34. Scrub bathroom fixtures
35. Change sheets on beds
36. Make simple breakfast foods: cereal, toast
37. Prepare sandwiches and basic lunches
38. Load laundry machine and dryer
39. Iron clothes
40. Shovel snow
41. Wash dishes by hand
42. Clean shower and tub
43. Meal prep – chopping, stirring, etc.
44. Follow recipes to cook full meals
45. Take out trash
46. Grocery shop with list
47. Scrub kitchen and bathroom floors

Top Chore Tips for Parents

To make chore time successful for both you and your kids, keep these pointers in mind:

• Start young. Introduce chores when kids are toddlers, so it becomes a habit.
• Model pitching in: Children mimic their parents. Let them see you taking care of your home with a good attitude.
• Use routines. Consistent daily or weekly chore times prevent nagging.
• Rotate unpleasant tasks. Don’t make one child get stuck with all the bad jobs.
• Don’t overdo it. Start with just 1-2 chores and build up gradually.
• Use chore charts. Visual reminders motivate kids to check tasks off.
• Offer rewards: small prizes, points toward allowance, and praise to incentivize chores.
• Make it fun. Inject games, music, imagination, and laughter into chore time.
• Be flexible. Adjust or swap tasks if needed. Listen to feedback.
• Give thanks. Express sincere appreciation for your child’s help.

FAQs

At what age should kids start doing chores?

Child development experts recommend introducing basic chores around ages 2–3. Early exposure promotes it becoming a habit and teaches responsibility. Start with quick, simple tasks.

How often should kids do chores?

Aim to have short chore sessions 2-3 times per week for young kids. Daily life can feel overwhelming. Build up frequency as they get older and can handle more. Consistency is key.

Should kids get paid for chores?

Some parents pay an allowance for completed chores to teach financial literacy. Others believe allowance should be separate and chores taught as family responsibility. Choose what works for you!

How can you make chores fun for kids?

Fun chore ideas include games, races, charts, rewards, music, imaginative play, competitions, points, helping mom or dad, making messes, choice, sensory tools, dance parties, and more!

What are the benefits of chores for kids?

Chores teach responsibility, time management, confidence, goal-setting, pride, independence, cooperation, life skills, financial literacy, and much more. Research shows chores lead to success.

How can you get kids to do chores happily?

Make chores fun, engage their spirit of play and competition, use rewards and praise, assign age-appropriate tasks, inject silliness, involve them in planning, and express appreciation for their help.

Conclusion

Getting kids to pitch in with housework without frustration or arguments may seem impossible some days. But using chore hacks that tap into children’s natural love of play and fun can transform chore time into family bonding they look forward to. Experiment with point systems, races, rewards, tools, music, and imagination until you find what clicks with your kids! Establishing chore routines early promotes responsibility and skills that will serve them for life.

Marcella Raskin

Marcella Raskin is the founder & editor-in-chief. She is a passionate and articulate writer who has dedicated her life to studying human potential. She has studied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Life Purpose Coaching, Group Life Coaching. She loves helping women (and men) explore themselves through writing, which allows for an exploration into one’s thoughts on entrepreneurship or personal development topics such as mindset-shaping techniques that can positively shape someone’s perspectives about themselves when they don’t think it could ever happen! She practices sports and has studied Exercise Physiology. She is married and the mother of two girls.