When you have children, keeping the home clean and tidy can be a struggle. Deciding when to give kids chores (or what chores you can give to kids) can be a tricky decision to make.
Whilst we fully believe there’s creative value in shaking things up a bit, we also know that you have a house to keep clean. Finding ways to convince kids to tidy up after themselves isn’t always easy but it’s certainly not impossible.
Here are our top tips for involving kids in tidying up and household chores.
Lead by example
Keeping the house in order is everyone's duty. Even if a family has domestic help, it's essential for each member to assume some responsibility. This helps children to understand the benefits of their input, which in turn shapes their character throughout their life. Start by being the role model your child needs, showing them how to care for the home.
Tidy up time games for kids
All children are familiar with tidy up time! And whilst some might meet it with moans and groans, it doesn’t have to be boring. Why not try making tidy up time exciting for your kids by putting on some music? Alternatively, you could turn the chore into a competition or game! Bragging rights go to the person who can put away the most toys in two minutes! Or, the king/queen of the day is the person who can neatly put their clothes in the correct drawers quickest! Before they know it the tidying will be done and dusted!
Foster a positive relationship
It’s normal to feel some trepidation when you first assign chores to your child. How can I get my kids to enjoy tidying up? How will my kids react when I give them chores for the first time? Don’t fret. Giving your kids chores can be very beneficial for them and the entire household too!
When children play an active role in maintaining the house, they feel part of a community. A place where it's essential to respect everyone's space and where they can have an active role in maintaining that space. Through encouraging kids to tidy up, they can begin to feel a wholesome sense of responsibility, as well as a sense of pride in their work! Through highlighting the importance of their chores, and your appreciation when those chores are completed, you can help to foster a positive relationship between your child and their household duties.
How and when to give kids chores
Age 3-7:
Make simple agreements on what needs to be done. My daughter struggled with tidying up toys at school — I then realised that I hadn't shown her how to do it at home. So, we started with some simple agreements: before taking a new toy, we put the old one away. Before moving to a different activity, we tidy up together. If she's reluctant, I acknowledge the effort she did make and suggest we try to do a bit more next time.
Age 7+:
With older children, you can continue with the above strategies whilst introducing more responsibilities as they grow. For example, older children can be expected to make their bed in the morning, prepare their book bag for the next day, or tidy up breakfast dishes. These are straightforward tasks that can be adopted gradually depending on your child’s age and ability. 
Pre-teens:
As their sense of responsibility solidifies, consider assigning pre-teens a room or specific day for their chores. Maybe they can take charge of hoovering, or take responsibility for the upkeep of their bedroom. Remember, delegating chores is beneficial for the entire household — and working together towards a common goal strengthens familial and social bonds!
Arts, crafts, and character development
Arts and crafts aren't just about creating pretty keepsakes or honing a child's artistic abilities. Arts and crafts can be extremely impactful on a child's character.
Responsibility through resource management:
When children undertake an arts and crafts project, they're given a set of materials — paints, brushes, glue, and so on. It's up to them to ensure they don't waste any and use them effectively to complete their masterpiece. They can then practise these skills in household tasks like cooking, where they might have to distribute even servings, and cleaning, where they could be responsible for dividing toys between baskets.
Time management skills:
Every art or craft project comes with steps that need to be followed in a particular order. Paint might need drying time, or glue might need a few moments to set. Children learn patience and the importance of sequencing, helping them to plan out their tasks in the most efficient manner. They can then apply this learning to their chores — for example by cleaning countertops before brushing floors, or allowing enough time for one load of laundry to dry before carrying out the next load.
Taking care of belongings:
Crafting helps children to learn to take care of their equipment and materials. Brushes need cleaning after use, and leftover materials should be stored properly for the next project. This instils a sense of ownership and pride in their belongings, ensuring they treat everything they own with respect. This translates well to the home, where they begin to appreciate the importance of keeping their rooms tidy and their belongings in order.
Why not try crafting to boost your little one’s sense of responsibility? Our crafts are specifically curated to aid child development, and our craft kits fit into one handy box (so tidy up time is guaranteed to be super simple)!
🎨 Visit our shop to discover the perfect crafts for helping little ones learn!
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Written By
Sarah Helena
Mother of Cecília and Olívia, psychologist, writer, and philosophy specialist, with a Masters in Professional and Technological Education.
