How to Get Kids Involved in Cleaning the Home

One of the most popular activities in my classroom is a simple bucket with a small spray bottle full of water, a clean washcloth, a sponge with a handle, and a squeegee. This is in a room filled with games and art projects, friends to play with and books to read, and still kids love and return to the solitary act of spraying water and wiping down a window or the glass door. 

 Getting your own children involved in cleaning will form beneficial habits as they develop and mature, as well as get them invested in maintaining the household. Instead of seeing cleaning as something their parents or older siblings do, it becomes a project the whole family can participate in together.

 Cleaning is a fun and engaging activity for young children, particularly when they have their own gadgets to use in their pursuit. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Place items kids will use often at a level they can access. This gives children autonomy and independence in their cleaning activities. As long as there are no dangerous aspects involved (sharp edges, chemicals, plugs) that can harm them, this will allow kids to be able to clean when the mood strikes. While such pursuits may not seem fun to many older children and adults, young ones can find joy in almost anything, so it is important to foster these explorations.
• Provide special items just for them. This is also key in getting kids to be involved in household cleaning, as it gives them purpose-built objects that they feel special using. Dust pans are the perfect size for young cleaners, and small brooms, mops, rakes and shovels are also available. Washcloths are a good size for small hands as well. Cut sponges in halves or quarters.
• Give water to use instead of cleaning products. When introducing cleaning, the process is much more important than the result. Water in spray bottles for cleaning surfaces is perfect for beginners, and soap can be added as children master the technique and graduate onto further projects.
• Play to their strengths and interests. If you have an outdoorsy child, focus on simple yard maintenance and other nature activities. If your child is interested in food, try practicing rinsing dishes with them, or even scrubbing dishes with a small sponge and a little soap. Cooking projects are also a great way to get them involved in the household.
• Remember to keep it fun and stress-free. Getting kids involved in cleaning is meant to be an enjoyable way to bond together and teach them about the world. Kids are never going to make something spotless, but they will enjoy feeling how cool and warm water feels to their hands, learning how to use a mop, making soap bubbles and the feeling of independence when they know where to find their child-sized broom to clean up a spill.