One of the things that nobody ever tells you about kids is the fact that they bring in a lot of small pieces of garbage. OK, it's not necessarily garbage — it's puzzle pieces, Legos, and small plastic bits used to assemble playsets. When these bits are in their natural element along with their friends, they're perfectly fine toys. But when they're disassembled, they take on a new form: garbage.
We have so many totes filled with pieces and parts that I can no longer identify. The worst thing is that our family is obsessed with bringing more toys in. "Oh, this would make her day," I've often told my husband at Target. "And it's only ten bucks!" Ten bucks — and 60 pieces I'll later curse or step on. But in the moment, the price and the happiness are all that matter.
Moms often get saddled with the unfair responsibility of cleaning it up. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get your kids to pitch in and share the hard work — and learn how to clean. Here are eight suggestions to help make it fun.
1. Buy a Big Toy Bin
But make sure it's one that has different compartments. Our family currently uses the Humble Crew storage system. It looks great, and my daughter loves the fact that each individual bin has a different color. It's also easy to take a bin for quick cleanup. Let each bin have a designated character or show. For example, small Mickey Mouse toys are in a green bin, and Peppa Pig-related merchandise is in another.
I'm not going to pretend that bins won't be mixed someday, but it's a starting point. And it's a lot more fun for toddlers and young children to go on a scavenger hunt for all of one item. For example, "Round up all the My Little Ponies and put them in the pink basket" is more fun than "Clean up these toys."
2. Sing a Cleanup Song
A song about cleaning up can help kids know when it's time to stop everything and get to work. It's also a good way for kids to know how long the cleaning session will be. It doesn't have to be long. In fact, kids can do a quick cleanup after each activity, and it won't turn into a massive chore that leads to a tantrum — or a frustrated parent.
It doesn't even have to be a song about cleaning up. Playing music is a great way to motivate anyone — even adults — to clean. So making a cleanup playlist of songs your child enjoys may be a smart move.
3. Place a Mini Basketball Hoop Over a Toy Chest
Small hoops are a great way to turn chores into a fun time — especially if your child has a lot of small, soft toys like Tsum Tsums. If you make a game out of cleaning up, it'll seem like less of a hassle.
Want to make cleaning up a bonding time as well? Then challenge your child to a match. They'll love spending extra time with you, and you'll love having a clean floor.
4. Create Safe Cleaning Concoctions Together
Kids really like it when they get to create something. And homemade cleansers have never been easier. Did you know how many areas vinegar and baking soda can take care of around the house? DIY cleaners are also great for kids to use, because they don't contain any questionable chemicals.
Make up your own special cleaning concoctions before tackling tough chores. You can even give them fun names to make it more special.
5. Make It a Competition Among Siblings
You can give each child a trash bag and say that the person who fills it with the most garbage wins. Of course, motivation will be necessary, even for the non-winner. Perhaps they each get a piece of candy, but the winner gets to decide what to watch on television as a family — or gets slightly more game time. This will encourage your kids to try a little harder, knowing there's a reward at the end.
During spring and fall, you can also do this with gardening. Whoever pulls the most weeds gets a certain prize, or whoever bags up the most leaves gets to choose where you order dinner.
6. Donate Old Toys to Other Kids in Need
This is a great and fun way of organizing toys that'll also make a big difference in your community. There's a good chance your child has a ton of toys. Find a local organization that takes lightly used or new toys, and see if your child would like to rehome any they have.
You can even make it into a big production. Give the toys a "going away" party to send them off to their new home. Tell your child that they're off on a mission to make another kid smile. And as an additional bonus, you'll declutter your playroom a little bit.
7. Challenge Them To See How Many Steps They Can Take While Vacuuming
This is another opportunity for a contest if you happen to have two kids (and two vacuums). But even with one kid, adding a pedometer to the mix makes it seem less like a chore and more fun. This is also a good way to introduce your child to exercise. Surely, they've been exercising naturally already — but having them try to beat their best step count is a healthy way to promote movement.
You can also use a pedometer to check how many steps they take while walking the dog or going to check the mail.
8. Challenge Your Kids To Pick Up One More Thing Every Day
Pace your cleaning with the days of the week. On Monday, ask them to pick up one item that's been left on the floor. On Tuesday, make it two. Wednesdays, it's three. As the week goes on, they'll get in the habit without it seeming like a huge task.
You can also add themes. Maybe Mondays are Superhero Mondays, and those are the days you focus on Marvel toys. You can liven up the day by dressing up as superheros while cleaning. The whole family can participate. By giving cleaning a bit more "personality," you and your children will enjoy it more.
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