Creative Chores

I really dont' have any creative chores but I can share what we do.

I used microsoft clip art of chores and laminated them each thing that needs to be done. Each week I have my son reach into a jar to pick 3 chores for that week.

It helps keep things exciting and rotates his chore duties.
I even put one that says Free Chore week, so if gets that one he gets a break.

Well one I found via my son...we were shopping in a Big Lots store and he found a vacuum cleaner that he wanted me to buy...now I'm not talking about a fake one...a REAL one! I nearly died...but the cool thing about it was that it was short and easy for him to manuver (it was an Eureka Optima). The handle was unique in that it had a big circle at the top and the handle could telescope up for me to use as well but it was short enough and light weight enough that he could not only manage it but could carry it too! I haven't had to vacuum a floor since!

Another one is that I usually clean the shower when I'm in it. You can get the kids to do the same thing using the Green Works products that don't have any damaging chemicals in it for them...let them spray the walls and tub and scrub then wash themselves. My son has always enjoyed cleaning the bathroom for some reason and my daughter loves using a sponge and water on the sink.

Getting my kids to pick up laundry was easy...I just put a pop up hamper in each of their rooms and they usually make baskets by tossing their clothes in...it also makes doing laundry much easier as I don't have to sort clothes...one load is my son's, one my daughter's etc. You can get them to help you put things away or pick up things by using an egg timer or cooking timer and setting the time for 5-10 minutes and make it a race. If they get it done by the time the timer goes off give them a treat...extra 15 minutes of TV, video games, read time, stay up late, etc.

Great ideas! Our 19 mo old loves to "wash" things - with a kleenex, dry washcloth, etc. She wipes down tables, floors, toys, the refrigerator. Mind you, it's not really a done deal when she's finished, but I always tell her thank you and what a big help she is. Later when she's asleep I'll finish what she started so she doesn't think I'm doing it over and her work didn't count. When she's a little older, I'll help her learn how to do it better.

She also loves to put dishes in the dishwasher and take them out. To keep it safe, I only let her put her baby utensils in and spoons.

She also likes to take laundry in and out of the basket. So when it's clean, I let her hand me all the clothes out of the basket. Then I make sure I have some dirty clothes she can put back in (otherwise, the clean ones end up back in there).

She also loves to stir, and see what's happening when I'm cooking. We have a step stool in the kitchen and she stands on it in front of me and stirs the eggs/batter whatever needs to be stirred. She also likes to help pour ingredients in. I'll measure the flour into the measuring cup, and then she pours it into the bowl. For the cooking part, I don't let her by the stove, but when there's something in the oven, I turn on the light so she can see what's inside.

For outdoor chores, we have a gum tree which is great for shade, but has those annoying pokey, ball things that get everywhere. So when we're raking, she helps pick those up and put them in the trash bag.

Good luck!

Hello fun mommas! Here is somethign that I do with my girls in the Summer.
I have carpet in the kitchen (yeah I know...) so I do vacuum it but I also need to wash it at least 3 to 4 times a year. I got one of those carpet washers but I made it fun, specially in Summer.
My daughters loves water baloons, I let them do those in the kitchen sink until they get tired and then I grab the water sprayer or shower ( I am not sure how you call that thing that comes with the faucet) and spray them all over and the kitchen and carpet too of course. Then I use the machine on top of the soaking wet carpet. It never came out so clean!!! I know that is not exactly helping.....but it is a lot of fun!!! Love your ideas too!

I had a friend that used this same concept on their garage, the neighbors even got involved in this I remember the fun of sliding on that smooth concrete! Ah the memories! I see you really didn't get a lot of new fun ideas. I saw these fun dusting socks for wooden floors and thought the kids would have a blast with those. Hope you get some great ideas, I'm watching your responses too

It sounds to me like your friend is a FlyBaby! Check out FlyLady's website at http://www.flylady.net/ (you can scroll down and see section on lower right for FlyKids) and the House Fairy website (geared toward children and parents) at http://www.housefairy.org/ for many great ideas. I used to get daily FlyLady emails (you can sign up for them on the website to get inspiration, ideas, encouragement, etc.) that contain simple instruction for daily duties that take little time to help you get and keep your home clean and clutter-free. The House Fairy is an idea that works for "big" kids as well....I read a few stories that husbands expected the little treats when they cleaned something!

One idea I adore is to recognize little one's first attempts at room cleaning (or helping you with whatever you decide is appropriate) with a surprise treat they like (NOT food or candy - that is never a good practice...try stickers, cool pencils, crayons, etc.) from the "House Fairy" complete with 'fairy dust' (glitter, confetti, or colored sugar sprinkled on their desk or pillow to show where she was)!

Good luck and PLEASE don't forget to update this with a response and let us all know what you decided to try and what worked or what didn't!

wow kitchen floor idea sounds awesome I can't wait to try that with my 8 year old and one and a half year old...start a rag bag that includes old socks ( clean of course=) )
Then when its time to dust stick a glove on each little ones hand and have them dust! They will think its funny and fun...you can even draw faces on the old socks and call them dust munchers...and tell them they are "feeding" the socks. This works well for things that are low to the ground anyway..."baseboards"
This is a great time to go green with your household cleansers as well.
A three year old is old enough to learn how to start matching socks when you are sorting and folding clean laundry...socks by size and color...make it a fun learning activity.
A three year old is old enough to help set the table ( with some help) and also to help clear off the table ( with some help)
It is never to early to get kids involved, they take to it better at a younger age when they recieve praise and feel like they are being good helpers, then as they get older its just something that has always been in place so there is a lot less grumbling! Good luck I look forward to seeing great ideas as well = )
B.

Keep chores fun and playful and match chores to their abilities and to their personalities. Hope this helps!

clean their rooms
sort clothes for laundry
set table
clear table after dinner
dust furniture with socks on hands
pour beverages for dinner
take out garbage
feed and care for pets
putting away groceries
vaccuuming
load the dishwasher
help prepare meals
help with yard work
pick out clothes for next day
put dirty clothes in hamper
clean up their own messes
make own bed
bring in the mail
empty wastebasket
water garden/flowers

My daughter gets the biggest kick out of dusting. I got her a cute little feather duster, and actually have to hide it from her until its time to use it, otherwise she would play with it all the time. And I sure as heck dont want her to get burnt out on it....haha! She also loves folding laundry. Of course I dont make her do these things, but if she asks, shes certainly welcome.
I dont know about cleaning the floors though. I wouldnt want my kids to be around those chemicals, unless its something safe.

And LINDA, by the way, Im buying that vacuum! I have been looking for a real one for my daughter, she really wants one! Thanks!

Mine are 2 and 3 and while I still do most of the chores, they both think it is fun to help. I just let them do what they can but don't push them to do it if they don't want too. The oldest is good at putting silverware away out of the dishwasher. They both love to sweep even though they don't really accomplish anything when they do it. The point is to let them try. They also love to wash things with a spounge or clothe. Let them clean at the same time you do with just a spounge and water in there own bucket. They will probably make more of a mess then they will actually help but you will be teaching them and they will have fun.

I don't know how creative this is, but my duaghter thinks it is the coolest thing and it helps me out alot. While I am cooking dinner my daughter loves to wash the dishes that I have used and she even washes out the sink. She thinks it's great fun and I don't have to prewash before I put my dishes in the dishwasher!!! And my sink even gets clean!!!

We have a smaller vaccum (like a dirt devil) that the little one can handle and when I am using the big one, he is going around using the one that is his size.

I also use the shop vac on the stairs, as it has a wonderful long hose and I hardly have to haul it anywhere, and he loves to help with that too.

We also make clean up time fun by seeing who can collect the most stuff and get it put away correctly. Prize might be to pick out what's for dinner, of course within reason, so you might want to give them actual options for that choice.

I know this chore does not invovle the kiddo helping, but I like to clean the other parts of the bathroom while he is in the tub. It keeps me busy and he actually ends up getting to spend more time playing in the water than a quick wash up and get out.

This one is not a chore either, but I heard of a mom who did this & LOVED the idea, but have yet to try it. She puts the boys at the kitchen table with their hot wheel cars and water paints and lets them paint the cars all they want and then when clean up time comes, she puts them over at the kitchen sink and lets them play car wash as they now wash off the cars and 'sort of' clean up their mess.

Have fun!