Despite relishing playtime with the kids, the looming possibility of a mess is an ever-present concern. So, whether it be reinforcing a toddler to put their thousands of toys back in their toy box, or pushing messy teenagers to put their clothes away, here are a few top tips to encourage your kids to clean their own mess.

 Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks

Every child is unique in their ability and skillset, meaning it is best to start with age-appropriate tasks that reflect their current ability to organise. For example, children aged 4-6 who are either in kindergarten or just started Prep can be encouraged to wipe a surface clean after they use it, such as after they have finished with their playdough or arts and crafts. Whereas teenagers can complete more complex tasks such as vacuuming or helping with pets. 

Use Music and Songs

We all love music, so why not play some upbeat, motivating music to make their clean-up time more enjoyable? Create themed playlists that align with your child’s interests. If they love Disney movies, make a playlist of Disney classics. If they enjoy superhero movies, find songs from those soundtracks. The familiar and beloved tunes can make cleanup time more appealing and fun.

 Visual Reminders

Not only can these be used to remind your children but you as well! Use charts or color-coded sticky notes to visually guide children on where certain items belong.

Make it a Group Effort

Many tasks in your child’s life will involve teamwork. Why not start early with a couple of simple cleaning tasks? Simply assign the task and let them figure out how they want to approach it. For example, your pre-teens might decide to split the dishwashing duties, with one child washing the dishes and another drying them. This not only makes it more efficient but also teaches them the value of teamwork.

 Provide Organised Storage

Having organised storage spaces allows your children to easily identify where each item belongs. Using stick-on labels and containers can help encourage them to keep everything in its designated place.

Challenge and Reward

If the usual cleaning methods aren’t doing the trick, why not transform chores into a fun game for your kids? Turn tidying up into a race against the clock, a scavenger hunt, or a friendly competition with a reward at the end for whoever cleans the best.

Lead by Example

Show your children the importance of keeping things tidy by rolling up your own sleeves and getting involved. Then let them clean alongside you, so they can see first-hand how satisfying a clean space can be. By allowing the children to actively participate alongside you they may be more inclined to offer help in the near future and it also teaches them important life skills.

By turning common chores into more engaging activities for your children, you’ll be able to instil a positive attitude towards cleaning that will benefit them (and you!) in the near future.