Cleaning fun with kids - a group of kids posing for a picture

5 Cleaning Fun for Kids: Turn Chores into Playtime with These Genius Hacks

As moms, we all know that keeping a clean house with kids around feels like trying to brush your teeth while eating Oreos—it’s a never-ending battle! But here’s the thing: cleaning doesn’t have to be a solo mission or feel like a dreaded chore. What if I told you that you could actually enlist your kids and turn it into something they’ll enjoy? Yep, you heard me right! Let’s dive into some clever hacks to make cleaning fun for kids, turning it into a family affair and sneaking in some quality time while we’re at it.

1. Turn Cleaning into a Game: Enter the Friendly Competition

Kids love a little competition, right? Time to use that competitive streak to your advantage! The trick here is to turn cleaning into a game where they don’t even realize they’re actually helping out.

Cleaning fun with kids - a group of children running with toys

Beat the Clock: Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes, and challenge them to see how much they can clean up before the time runs out. Not only does this turn it into a race, but it teaches them time management, too!

Bonus tip: You can offer a small reward like extra playtime or a fun snack when the timer goes off, giving them a sense of accomplishment.

Scavenger Hunt Magic: Want to take it to the next level? Turn cleanup time into a scavenger hunt! Write a list of items they need to find and put away (e.g., “find 3 blue toys,” or “put away 5 books”), and watch them get to work. The great thing about this is that it encourages problem-solving and teamwork if you’ve got more than one kiddo helping out.

Obstacle Course Cleanup: For kids with a lot of energy, you can create an obstacle course they have to clean around. Set up pillows or boxes to jump over or crawl under. They’ll think it’s a game, but really, you’re getting your floor cleaned up! This is the ultimate way to make cleaning fun for kids.

By introducing a little competition and creativity, cleaning becomes an exciting challenge rather than a boring task. And let’s be honest, we love a good multitasking win!

For more fun games, check out 23 Fun Fall Games for Kids

2. Crank Up the Tunes or Get Your Karaoke On

Cleaning doesn’t have to be silent and boring! Music has a way of turning even the dullest tasks into something fun. Trust me, a good beat can totally transform the vibe and make cleaning fun for kids.

Cleaning fun with kids - a group of children playing with brooms

Make a Cleaning Playlist: Grab your phone and make a playlist with all your kids’ favorite songs. Upbeat tunes will get them moving faster and keep the energy high. Encourage them to sing and dance while they work—what’s more fun than cleaning when you’re also pretending you’re a rock star?

Make Your Own Cleaning Songs: For a personalized touch, create your silly cleaning-themed songs or rhymes. Think of it like your own family cleanup anthem! You can even get the kids to help make up the lyrics. Something as simple as “We clean, we clean, it’s what we do, we put our toys away, and you can too!” can add some laughs and fun.

Karaoke Cleaning Time: Grab a broom and make it your microphone. Seriously! Have a full-on karaoke session while cleaning. Pretend you’re all in a music video, with dramatic pauses and all. This keeps the kids engaged and entertained while getting the house clean. And hey, you might have a new family tradition!

The key is to make cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a dance party. After all, who doesn’t love some spontaneous living room karaoke to make cleaning fun for kids?

3. Let Them Call the Shots

Let’s be real: kids love feeling like they have a say. When you give them choices, they feel more in control and are way more likely to help out without putting up a fight.

Cleaning fun with kids - a child holding a broom

Task Choices: Instead of assigning tasks, offer them options: “Would you rather dust the shelves or sweep the floor?” Suddenly, they feel like they’re the boss of their own cleaning adventure. It’s all about tricking—I mean empowering—them to take responsibility.

Tailor Tasks to Interests: If your child has specific likes, match tasks to their strengths. Got a little one who loves organizing? Give them the job of sorting and organizing toys, books, or clothes. Have a kiddo who’s all about water play? Hand them a spray bottle and a sponge—they’ll think they’re just playing, but really, they’re wiping down surfaces!

Set Mini Goals: If your child thrives on small goals, set mini cleaning missions. “Can you put away 10 toys before the next song finishes?” Breaking tasks into bite-sized goals helps them focus and feel accomplished more quickly.

By letting them have a bit of control, cleaning becomes less of a struggle and more of a choice they get to make. It’s sneaky but effective and a solid way to make cleaning fun for kids.

4. Break Out the Fun Cleaning Tools

Cleaning tools don’t have to be boring! In fact, the more colorful and creative, the better. Think of it like giving your kids fun props to make the task exciting.

Cleaning fun with kids - cleaning tools

Colorful Supplies: Bright sponges, fun-patterned dusters, or quirky brooms can make all the difference. If it looks fun, kids will want to use it! Imagine them racing to grab that neon pink dustpan—it’s the little things that can make cleaning feel less like a task and more like playtime.

DIY Cleaning Tools: Take it a step further and get crafty. Make sock puppets for dusting—each kid gets their own “dusting buddy” to help them wipe surfaces. Or turn the broom into a fun character by adding googly eyes or decorating it with streamers. Suddenly, sweeping isn’t boring; it’s a fun game with their new cleaning sidekick.

Pretend Play: For the younger ones, turn cleaning into a pretend play scenario. Maybe they’re “superheroes” on a mission to save the living room from the evil clutter monster. Or maybe they’re “scientists” cleaning up after a big experiment. The possibilities are endless when you bring imagination into the mix.

These props and playful ideas make the task feel less like a chore and more like a creative play session, which means fewer complaints and more cleaning. Cleaning fun for kids is all about the props!

Related article: Teaching Kids to Clean Up After Cooking: Essential Tips and Tricks

5. Praise & Reward the Effort

Let’s face it—kids (and adults!) love to be praised for their hard work. A little bit of recognition can go a long way when it comes to encouraging kids to help out.

Cleaning fun with kids - high five

Positive Reinforcement: Take a moment to praise them whenever they finish a task. “Wow, you did an amazing job cleaning up those toys!” Acknowledging their efforts builds confidence and makes them feel proud of what they’ve accomplished. And when they feel good about it, they’re more likely to help out again in the future.

Reward Systems: If you really want to motivate them, set up a simple reward system. It doesn’t have to be fancy—stickers, a small treat, or extra screen time can do the trick. You can even make a reward chart where they earn points or stars for every completed task, with a bigger reward at the end of the week.

Incorporate Family Time: Sometimes, the best reward is quality time together. When they’ve helped clean up, offer a fun family activity like a movie night or a trip to the park. The reward becomes more than just a treat—it’s time spent together.

By praising their hard work and offering simple rewards, you’re not only getting them to help clean but also teaching them the value of working together and contributing to the household. This positive reinforcement turns cleaning into a rewarding, fun experience—exactly what we want when making cleaning fun for kids.

With a little creativity and some upbeat energy, you can transform cleaning from a dreaded task into a fun family activity. Between the games, music, and a sprinkle of choice, your house gets clean, and you make some sweet memories together. Oh, and don’t forget to celebrate their hard work—it’ll keep them coming back for more! Happy cleaning, mama!


Looking for more creative ways to make everyday tasks fun for your kids? Join our Facebook group, Working Moms On a Mission (M.O.M)! Connect with other moms, get fresh ideas for making life’s daily routines easier, and find inspiration to turn chores into cherished family moments. Click on the image below to join the community and make mom life a little smoother (and way more fun)!

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