Hey everyone, I’m struggling to get my kids excited about doing chores. It’s always a battle and I’m running out of ideas. Has anyone found any good ways to make housework more enjoyable for kids? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you, whether it’s games, rewards, or anything else. Thanks in advance for any tips!
We use a chore wheel in our house. Kids spin it to pick their tasks for the week.
They like the randomness and it keeps things fresh. Some weeks go smoother than others, but overall it’s cut down on the whining.
I’ve found turning chores into a game can really shift the mindset. We set up a challenge where my kid races against the timer to finish tasks. It naturally turns a routine duty into a fun little contest. Sometimes, just the thrill of trying to beat the clock makes the process seem less of a burden. Not every day is a win, but it’s interesting to see the change in attitude while keeping the mood light.
In our house, we’ve had success with a simple sticker chart for chores. The kids pick out fun stickers they like, and they get to add one each time they finish a task. It’s not fancy, but they really enjoy seeing their progress build up over time.
We also let them choose which chores they want to do from a list. This gives them a sense of control and makes them more willing to participate. Some days it works better than others, but overall it’s helped reduce the daily struggle.
As they get older, we’re slowly increasing what they’re responsible for. It’s been great seeing them take pride in contributing to the family and feeling more grown-up.
I’ve been trying to make chores fun for my little one too. We started a ‘clean-up dance party’ where we put on music and tidy up together. It works some days, but other times it’s still a struggle.
I’m curious about reward systems. Has anyone tried a point system where they can save up for bigger prizes? I worry about always giving rewards, but maybe it helps build good habits?
Also, how do you handle days when your kid just refuses to do chores? I’m never sure if I should push it or let it go. Any advice from parents who’ve been through this stage would be so helpful!
We’ve definitely had our ups and downs with chores over the years. One thing that worked well was creating a ‘Chore Challenge’ week. The kids would compete against each other to see who could do the most chores or do them the fastest. They got really into it!
I remember my son once vacuumed the entire house in record time just to beat his sister’s score. It was pretty entertaining to watch. 
As they got older, we switched to a point system where they could earn things they wanted. My daughter saved up enough points for concert tickets once, which really motivated her.
Not everything worked all the time, though. Some weeks were still a struggle. We just tried to keep it positive and celebrate when things went well. It took time, but eventually chores became less of a battle.