Heather from Raising Memories is back! You will love this next idea she has!
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It’s really Spring! In the part of Canada where I live, we’re finally getting some beautiful weather this week and I love it! Along with the weather comes this strange mood that prompts me to want to do some Spring Cleaning!
This year I decided that my girls were old enough to help (they’re 2 and 5 years old). So, I wanted to share with you 10 ways that young kids can help with spring cleaning:
1. Wipe Baseboards
All you need is a wet cloth for this. If you need some motivation for your kids to join in or to keep them interestd until the job’s done, start a race around the room, to see who can wipe the fastest!
2. Vacuum Under Cushions
We used to have a couch with removable cushions. The girls LOVED taking them off & jumping on them. You could even make that part of this task- remove cushions, set the timer for a little jump time, vacuum the couch, and replace the cushions.
3. Yard Work
I think young kids love it when they’re given some responsibility- they know you trust them. Gardening is something little kids can help with- whether they just get to drop the seeds into a hole, or dig the hole themselves. They can help water and weed later, too. Make sure you take the time to get excited about the flowers or vegetables or berries you’ve grown- it’s a little magic that they got to help with!
4. Dust Bookshelves
Call your kids over & tell them that this time you actually want them to pull all of the books off the shelves. Once that’s done, they can help you dust the shelves and pass you books to place back where they go.
5. Clean Walls & Cupboard Doors
I don’t know what it is about Clorox wipes, but hand them to one of my girls, and they are more than happy to wipe whatever it is you ask them to!
6. Clean low Windows & Mirrors
Windex and paper towels have the same effect that Clorox wipes do- my 5 year old LOVES it when I let her spray & wipe the windows! Granted this might make the task take longer in the end than if you did it yourself (you may have to go over it to get rid of streaks, and of course to reach the higher parts), but they have so much fun, and they’re learning a skill- I think it’s worth it!
7. Wash the Car
Grab the rain boots, get some soapy water in a bucket with some sponges and you have a lot of fun for young kids! Of course you’ll need Mom or Dad out there to reach the high spots and keep some control over the situation, but this has to be one of the most fun jobs around!
8. Purge Clothing & Toys
You can turn the clothing task into a fashion show (but be prepared to do this one in 2 or 3 parts depending on how many clothes you need to go through- as fun as a fashion show is, they may get sick of taking off & trying on clothes over & over).
Toy purging is a delicate task, but if you take the time to explain that you’ll be donating the toys to someone who needs them, you might be surprised at the decisions your child will make. Be sensitive to their feelings as they choose to part with some things & be sure to tell them how proud you are of them!
9. Clean Car Interior
Give each child a plastic shopping bag & have them fill one with trash from the car and another with “stuff” that doesn’t really belong in the car. Once this task is completed, check out the Messy Car Solution that Lara posted about- maybe you can knock this task off of your list for next time! 🙂
10. Wash Patio Furniture
Pick a warm day, get out the hose, & let your kids go to town! (be prepared for a water fight- more fun for everyone! 🙂
Don’t Forget!
I wanted to mention a couple of important ingredients to spring cleaning with your kids:
– time (realize that it may take longer to do spring cleaning with kids- that’s ok! You’re teaching them important skills!)
– patience (you’ll need this because it will take longer and because you want it to be a good experience for them- so take some deep breaths, be positive, and remember to have fun! 🙂
– fun (remember Mary Poppins- “You find the fun aaaaand Snap! The job’s a game!”)
– celebration (when you complete a task, don’t rush on to the next too quickly- take a minute to celebrate! Congratulate your kids on a job well done, take a break, have a snack, and put some tasks on hold if you can tell your kids are running out of steam. )
These are just 10 ideas- I’m sure that you ladies have lots more great ideas and I would love to hear them! How have you included your young kids with spring cleaning?
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Thanks Heather!!! If you want more FANTASTIC ideas on fun things to do with your kids, check out her blog – you won’t be sorry.
Amber says
Sounds like fun. It’s always nice to include them so they don’t “get in the way” while you’re doing all these annoying tasks. This way you have some company and someone to giggle with 🙂
Shauna says
What a great idea! I love all the tips in this post! Thanks for sharing!
Christina @ The Scrappy Housewife says
My first chore was helping mom wipe down the baseboards. I loved scooting around the room with her. That brought back some nice memories.
Lindsay says
These are some great ideas Heather! I fill a little spray bottle with vinegar and water for the kids to use, that way I don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals getting on (or in) them!
Heather Lynne says
That’s a great suggestion Lindsay!
Lisa@Granola Catholic says
I have always included my kids in our spring cleaning. You need to take advantage of their desire to help while you can. Young children are eager to do what the adults in their lives do.
Heather Lynne says
I think you’re exactly right! If we teach them now & get them involved while they’re happily helping, I think they’ll be more likely to want to work/clean when they get older!
Tami says
I suppose I appreciate the spring cleaning reminder 🙂 We’re going through clothes today! These are some great suggestions and jobs I just don’t get around to often, so if I can get the kids to want to do it … brilliant!
Carissa says
My 3 year old LOVES to help clean. One of her favorites this year was dusting the blinds. We put daddy’s old socks on her hands and she rubbed them up & down the blinds until they looked clean. She thought it was so funny! I think sometimes in our rush to get it done we forget how easily kids can do some tasks and how important it is for them to learn. 🙂 Thanks for the post.
Heather Lynne says
I love that idea! I’m totally going to use it! Thank you for sharing that- so fun! 🙂
Mindy says
These are such great ideas! Thanks.
stacy says
I love these ideas! It is so important to teach kids to work! The baseboard idea reminded me of an experience this year when my kids got to clean baseboards with their cousins…it made it much more fun to finish the task when the kids were surrounded by the people they love! They all got to pick their favorite Krispy Kreme donut when all the cleaning was done and I have to say a little bribery really worked!
jill says
Fun Post on cleaning…who would have thought!?! Cute kids too!
Heather Lynne says
🙂 Thanks Jill
Hilary says
I DEFINITELY need to get Sierra in on some baseboard cleaning. Actually, I wish I wouldve read this post earlier today because we have some girls billeting at our house right (for youth conference) so i’ve been cleaning all day and could’ve used some little hands to help with some of those things! Good ideas Heather!
Lisa says
I would INTENTIONALLY put change under sofa cushions and in laundry pockets. I told my daughter that any money she found was hers to keep if she helped with vaccuming and checking laundry pockets and “sorting (of course I had to resort but it is good practice – her dad STILL can’t sort). It was only small change – always less than a dollar but the fun she had searching for money made her WANT to do a good job.
Heather Lynne says
haha That’s awesome- I love it that you planted change there!