girl_cleaning_nlInvolving the children in domestic chores is a great way to teach them about responsibility and the importance of keeping the house clean and healthy. Cleaning is often perceived as one of those jobs that everybody will do their best to avoid but if you approach it in a positive light, it can be turned into something fun! Follow our tips below to get the whole family working as a team. 

Make cleaning fun

Why not turn cleaning chores into a game by seeing how quickly toys can be tidied away, Who can match the most socks in 5 minutes? Or just dance around with the feather duster!

Some other game suggestions include:-

  • Hoover contests: set your watch and time the kids to see who can hoover their room (or indeed the whole house!) in record time. They'll enjoy the challenge and it's a good incentive to get tasks done quickly and effectively.
  • Musical cleaning: put on some music to get everyone's spirits up and tackle one room at a time. Start downstairs and work your way up until you've finished the entire house.
  • Teams: split the family into two with one team cleaning upstairs and the other down. The team to finish first are the winners.  
  • Reward charts: these can be great for promoting good behaviour so why not try it for cleaning too? Use stickers to mark the different tasks they've helped with (putting their toys/shoes away, tidying their room, helping with the washing up etc) and reward them with a little treat once they've completed ten tasks.  

Keep it short

It's important to set realistic goals for a child. You aren't going to get a five year old to spend an hour cleaning, so focus on tasks they can easily do such as tidying away their toys, helping with the dusting or pegging out washing. If you do a little each day (rather than saving it all up for the weekend) they're less likely to get bored and it will be less of a task for you to get everyone involved.

Start them early

As soon as they show an interest in what you are doing why not give your child their own duster, get them to help put away their toys and explain to them what you are doing and why. Have a regular de-clutter of their toys and encourage them to help you choose whether toys should be binned, kept or recycled.

Helping your child to adapt cleaning skills and take ownership of certain tasks early on will teach them a valuable life skill that they can carry with them throughout life. Start small and build up gradually - children as young as two can understand the importance of putting away toys and taking their used dishes to the sink and if you praise them each time they tidy something, they'll be more likely to want to help again.    

Ideas for age appropriate cleaning


Under five's

Help tidy their room/put their toys away in other rooms

Help make their bed

Put their clothes in the laundry hamper

Help dust

Put clean towels in the bathroom

Help Set and Clear the Table


Aged 5 - 10 years

Tidy their room/put their toys away in other rooms

Make their bed daily

Wash up/load the dishwasher

Match socks

Peg out washing/bring washing in

Put the bins out



Help clean the car


Aged 10 to Adult

All of the above

Load the Washing Machine

Clean Bathrooms

Clean Windows

Clean the car


Reclaiming your home     Tips for an organised, happy home     Eco-friendly cleaning