Who Says Cleaning Can’t Be Fun?

Ah, Spring is almost here! Like most of you, we’re looking forward to warmer weather and more sunshine that Spring brings, and we’re prepping for a good old-fashioned Spring Cleaning!

While Spring cleaning might be necessary, it’s not always the most fun thing- especially not with kids! It can be tempting to ship your kids off to grandparents for a week so you can get the cleaning done the way you want it done, but that’s not always realistic! But this doesn’t mean creating a clean, tidy space with your kiddos is impossible. And in fact, it’s mutually beneficial to get your kids involved in the Spring cleaning process. Working with kids means working slower than you would on your own. However, suppose you can harness that slowness into a sense of calm. In that case, the act of cleaning will be less stressful for you, and involving your kids in conversations about why we keep things clean and helping them learn life skills will not only help prepare them for life but also instill in them a sense of pride in keeping their space clean. Your kid’s future partners thank you now!

Beyond that, cleaning as a family is a great way to bond. You can make the process one that everyone enjoys. In the words of our favorite silver screen nanny, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. First, you find the fun, then Snap! The job’s a game!”

We’ve collected a bunch of ways to find the fun in cleaning, but before that, here are a few things to keep in mind before you start the cleaning and decluttering process:

Getting Started:

Live With Less

Sometimes it can feel like a mess is just the default for kids. They need stuff and aren’t the best at taking care of or putting it away. And while having kids means your home will probably feel kinda messy more often than if it feels perfectly put together, having kids doesn’t mean they need all the things! Sometimes the simplest solution to keeping things in their place is to have fewer things to put away. We know this doesn’t always work for every kid or every family, but consider culling your belongings to ease the anxiety clutter can cause. It may take longer, but intentionally going through every nook and cranny of your home and getting rid of what you don’t use, don’t need, or no longer want could be the missing ingredient in a less chaotic and cluttered life.

Rotate Toys

When we first learned this parenting hack, it blew our minds. It’s so simple and obvious, and kinda the perfect solution to the too many toys conundrum! First, create a toy rotation schedule. This will look different for every family, depending on the ages of your kids, but how many times do your kids get a new toy and completely forget their other toys? Yeah, like, every time. This trick works great around birthdays and holidays, but it might work better for you to do it seasonally. Packing away toys your kids aren’t currently playing with for a time is a great way to make space for the things they do actually with right now. Then, in a few months, bring out the packed-away toys and pack up the current ones, One in, one out. This is also a great way to gauge what toys your kids actually play with and can help you sneakily get rid of the things they no longer play with.

Make a Big Deal About Giving

If you are ready to do a big declutter but are nervous about your kids suddenly remembering how much they love that random cup they have never used a day in their life… We get it! It’s happened to us all. But, remember you are the parent, and at the end of the day, your kid probably won’t resent you forever for getting rid of their favorite plate they’ve literally never seen before. But this is also an excellent opportunity to make a big deal about charity! While broken and worn-out items should be tossed, things your family doesn’t use anymore but are in great shape should be donated to charity shops or local shelters. You can even sign up for Buy Nothing groups and give your unwanted items to someone who will treasure them. Having a conversation about giving things to those in need and keeping items out of landfills with your kids will help them. It is an excellent start to instilling in your kids a sense of generosity and care for our planet.

Take Breaks

Finally, as you get ready to start your Spring Cleaning process, remember to take breaks! No one likes to work on an empty stomach, so make sure you’re ALL eating regular meals. In fact, maybe plan some special meals for the week. Whether it’s the name-brand mac’n’cheese or ordering in tacos, ensure you’re all pausing the cleaning to nourish your bodies! And a bonus tip: you can take a break for fun too! Take a break to walk, eat popsicles on the porch, or chill and watch an episode of a fun show together. Interjecting small doses of fun will break up the monotony of cleaning and keep everyone’s spirits up!
Make It Fun:

Spring Clean Bingo

Did you know that Pinterest has a ton of options for printable Spring Cleaning Bingo Cards for kids? This is such a fun way to make cleaning a game! You can even laminate these cards to use as a weekly or monthly chore chart! If you use these for a big Spring Clean, we recommend getting marker stamps like real bingo for your kids to cross off their tasks.

Finders Keepers!

This idea might feel like a bribe, but trust us; your kids will go crazy. Before you tackle a room to clean, hide some money in the places you really want to be cleaned. It can be a quarter or even a penny for younger children, but before you begin cleaning, tell your kids how much money you’ve hidden in the room, and then tell them that whatever they find, they get to keep! We’re pretty confident those dust bunnies don’t stand a chance!

Weird Find Show And Tell

This goofy game will have your whole family cracking up! Before you start each room, tell your kids to keep a hold of the weirdest thing they find while cleaning that room, and don’t show anyone! Then, when the whole family is together that night, have a show and tell of all the weird things you all found while cleaning. Pick one person to be the judge and have a small prize for the person with the kookiest find!

Plan A Family Reward

We know cleaning a home is no easy task; once you’ve finished, you all deserve a little treat! So sit down as a family and decide on something to do together to reward your hard work. It can be something as simple as a picnic at the park, seeing a movie, or even getting fro-yo at your favorite spot – with extra toppings! Not only will you all get to celebrate all the effort you put into cleaning your home, but you’ll also preserve that pristine state for a little while longer!

We hope these tips are super helpful for you and your family as you clear out the clutter and prepare for a brand-new season!