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How to Make Cleaning Fun for Kids

How to Make Cleaning Fun for Kids

Did you know cleaning can help kids learn new life skills? Inject some fun into cleaning and your little one will be polishing and dusting in no time...!

Play can make anything fun – even cleaning! Whether it’s wiping the table or washing the car, play adds sparkle to everyday chores.

While it’s not practical for little ones to handle a hoover, mop or cleaning products just yet, easing them into simple tasks and roleplay cleaning (check out the LEGO® DUPLO® 3in1 Family House for that!) helps build essential skills and discipline for later in life. Not to mention learning the power of teamwork!

Want to know how to make cleaning fun for kids? Time to dust away the dull with some of these simple tips! Now, off to work...

Practice makes perfect!

Did you know kids can be introduced to cleaning from as early as 2-3 years old?

Whether it's tidying up LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, drying plastic plates or taking a dirty cup to the sink, introducing them to simple chores at an early age helps develop gross and fine motor and cognitive skills. You could even let them mimic you as you’re doing the housework!

Have a really little one in the house? You can still give them some fun, cleaning-themed activities to keep them busy! Try giving them a shallow tray of water with some plastic cups for them to ‘wash up’, or give them a selection of brightly colored cleaning cloths and dusters to play with – they’ll enjoy exploring the different textures and colors!

A music marathon

Crank up the fun with music! As kids get older, they can help with tasks that require more strength like drying dishes, unloading the dishwasher or helping with laundry. Dancing together while tackling the housework will increase endorphins and make chores feel more like a fun workout! Turn on some high-energy tunes, so the whole family can sweep to the beat.

Top tip: Turn music into a game of speed by seeing if your child can clear all their toys by the end of a song!

Dress up!

Time to save the house from dirt and grime! Whether your little one wants to be a princess, pirate, ninja or superhero, cleaning the house in fancy dress adds some theatrical fun to cleaning, plus adults can get involved! Kids love impersonating and playing make-believe, so wearing a costume that helps them embody the persona of their favorite character gets the job done with much more enthusiasm. Perhaps they’ll make the noises or sing the songs of the character they’re dressed up as while they clean?

Top tip: if you don’t have any fancy dress, wear your wackiest outfit combos instead!

Can you find the treasure?

Make cleaning fun with a treasure hunt! Start by marking surfaces that need cleaning with a big, bold ‘X’ (using pen and paper). Then, hide some LEGO® DUPLO® around those areas. 

The markers will help little ones locate the spot they need to clean (like a bedside table) and indicate that there’s treasure located nearby!  

If they dust each surface well, they get to keep the treasure they found and build something with it at the end! Just be sure to use non-toxic, plant-based cleaning spray for the kids (or just water).

Dustpan race!

You’ll need two dustpans for this one, and the aim of the game is simple; ask your kids to sweep around the house and whoever's dustpan is most full at the end, WINS! Your floors will be clear of dust in no time.

If you have an only child, play against each other!

Water fight

Let your little ones soak a sponge in a big bucket of bubbly water and scrub-a-dub-dub! Show them how to wipe the glass in circular motions or help them use the hose pipe!

When it gets too hot, it’s time to run through the sprinklers or have a water fight! You could even take out the paddling pool and encourage playtime with a LEGO DUPLO bath toy!

Top tip: Get them their very own rubber gloves and apron so kids feel they look the part!

See? Cleaning can be fun! All you need is a bit of play, silliness and of course, fun. Cleaning can be a fun bonding time for the whole family, just remember to show them how it’s done and keep a close eye!

Fancy making more everyday tasks fun? Here’s how to make laundry fun for kids...