I’m struggling to get my kids motivated to help around the house. They always complain when I ask them to do basic stuff like cleaning their room or helping with dishes. I’ve heard positive reinforcement works better than just nagging them all the time but I’m not really sure how to implement it properly.
What are some good ways to make household chores more enjoyable for kids while still teaching them responsibility? Looking for practical ideas that actually work, not just theory. My kids are 7 and 10 if that makes a difference.
Last month my kid started calling dishwashing “bubble laboratory” after I let them use extra soap. Now they actually volunteer for dishes because they think they’re doing science experiments. We also do random appreciation shout-outs during cleanup - like “wow, look how organized that shelf looks!” Sounds silly but those little moments stick with them more than bigger rewards.
My child enjoys it when I make chores into games. We sometimes have races to see who can pick up toys the quickest, or I hide a sticker for them to find after they’ve cleaned up. I’ve also noticed that systems where they can earn coins appeal to them – it gives them something to work towards. I’m curious, do your kids like immediate rewards, or can they wait for something bigger?
What worked with my teens (now 14 and 17) started when they were around your kids’ ages. I’d set up “chore teams” where they’d tackle bigger tasks together - cleaning the living room or sorting laundry. They’d race against me or beat a timer. The teamwork made it feel less like work.
One thing that really stuck was letting them “grade” each other afterward. They’d give silly awards like “Best Sock Folder” or “Fastest Toy Picker-Upper.” Sounds weird, but they loved being the judge instead of always getting told what to do.
Praise right in the moment worked way better than waiting. A quick “Your room looks amazing!” while they were still cleaning kept them motivated. Biggest lesson - what worked for my 7-year-old was totally different from my 10-year-old. Had to try different approaches for each kid.
Using reward charts has worked well in my home. The kids earn stars for completing chores and can trade them in for fun family activities or small treats. This makes chores more exciting for them! I also give them the freedom to choose their chores each day, which they really enjoy. We play music during cleanup time and turn it into a sort of mini dance party. It’s been such a fun twist! Another idea is to turn tasks into challenges. For example, I’ll challenge them to make their bed before their favorite song finishes. They love trying to beat their own times and often ask to do it again!
We made a family cleaning playlist. Everyone picks one song. Now the kids actually ask to clean because they want to hear their songs. Everything gets done in 15 minutes.
