Getting Your Kids Involved with Spring Cleaning

Introducing chores to your kids can be as much of a chore as doing the actual work, but involving your kids in housework and spring cleaning can benefit them greatly. Engaging in housework will teach your kids responsibility and contributing to chores will help your kids realize that they play an important role in running the household. Kids will also learn about organization and self-discipline, which are essential to many aspects of life.

When kids work on chores together - either with siblings or their parents - it helps them learn to compromise and collaborate on tasks. They can assign themselves different roles and it will help them learn to be flexible and take responsibility. Your kids will gain confidence and grow self-esteem from their ability to accomplish tasks around the house.

Tips for Spring Cleaning:

• Promote teamwork. On their own, chores can feel like a sentence, but working alongside you or a sibling, the teamwork and camaraderie can motivate them or make a chore more bearable.
• Don’t wait until they are done to praise or thank them. Encouraging your kids as they work on a task can build positive momentum and will boost their self-confidence.
• Don’t tie chores to money because it is important for kids to associate chores as a contribution to something bigger—helping the family run smoothly and responsibly. Instead, motivate your kids with a healthier experience, like going to their favorite restaurant, engaging in a fun family activity, or watching a new or favorite movie.
• Delegate chores on a list or divide jobs between “teams” to make them feel more independent and capable. Having a healthy competition to see who can accomplish their jobs the fastest can be a fun way to finish the chores.
• Make it fun. Make up your own games to complete chores, or play an audiobook or some upbeat music.

For more tips to make spring cleaning less of a chore, visit Spring Cleaning: 13 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Involved.

Some chores need to be assigned based on your kids’ ages - not all chores are appropriate for every kid to be assigned. You’ll know best which chores your children are able to complete, but below is a guide to get you started:

Ages 2 to 3

Note: These tasks will require supervision.

• Put toys away
• Put clothes in hamper
• Dress self
• Help feed pets
• Help clean spills

Image by Donne Ray Jones via Flickr

Ages 4 to 5

Note: Kids can start following a chore wheel.

• Make their bed
• Help clear the table
• Water flowers
• Wipe baseboards
• Pull weeds and plant seeds
• Unload utensils
• Dust
• Empty wastebaskets
• Purge clothing and toys
• Strip the bed linens
• Wipe down walls and cupboard doors

Ages 6 to 7

• Sort laundry
• Clean kitchen counters
• Set and clear table
• Sweep kitchen floors
• Help pack lunch
• Keep room tidy

Image by David D via  Flickr

Chores for Ages 8 to 9

Note: Kids can start working independently with a chore chart.

• Make personal snacks
• Vacuum
• Put away groceries
• Load dishwasher
• Put away laundry
• Take pet for a walk
• Help make dinner

Ages 10 to 12

• Fold laundry
• Clean light fixtures
• Learn to use washer and dryer/ Do laundry
• Clean kitchen
• Help clean and vacuum car interior
• Reorganize books, movies, and video games
• Take care of houseplants
• Help maintain appliances like light bulbs, vacuum bag
• Mow the lawn

Chores for Ages 13 and Older

• Babysit
• Make meals
• Help paint
• Can supervise younger siblings
• Rearrange room
• Clean bathroom
• Sew/iron clothes
• Dog sit
• Shampoo the carpet
• Organize closets
• Deep clean appliances
• Responsible for maintaining own car

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a bore. Engage in age-appropriate chores and encourage your kids to help out!

Spring into a New Season with Family Activities

It is finally spring and it seems as if a whole new world has been opened! The grass is green again, and outdoor activities are in full bloom. Now, there are several ways to take advantage of the beautiful weather to come. We decided to compile a list of four great activities that are sure to get the most out of your family’s spring.

Start a Garden Together

Starting a garden is a smart way to save money on produce during the season. There are several fruits, vegetables, and plants that your family can pick from, and seeds are relatively inexpensive, so each family member can select something different to grow. Growing the items is also a wonderful way to teach your children about the importance of care and nourishment.

Take a Walk




You don’t have to be an athlete to take a walk around the neighborhood. Yet, it’s still a simple way for your family to stay healthy. Taking a walk not only allows for everybody to get out of the house, but it provides a great opportunity to converse with the family. Find out their likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams. It will also strengthen your relationship as they grow older.

Spring Cleaning




Now, we know this idea does not sound exciting, but it is great way to go through old memories. Start by having the family look through the garage. You may find your kids enthusiastic about finding old toys or being able to break out their pair of rollerblades from storage. Yet, most of all, your house will be clean!

Enjoy a Picnic




Spring allows for some of the most beautiful scenery of the year. Have your family start by deciding on the meal for your outdoor feast. Your kids can assist you in the kitchen as you prepare an array of meals like tuna casserole and deli sandwiches. After the meal is complete, drive to your favorite park or find a nice shady spot out in the yard. You can even bring along some games to play when the meal is complete.

Enjoy the Weather
A new season provides plenty of opportunities to get involved with your family. It also provides for a much more enjoyable fundraising experience. We at Paragon Promotions INC. want to provide all our clients with fundraisers that are sure to help them to reach their goals. Check out our different options, and enjoy your spring, knowing that you have nothing to worry about.

Motivate Your Kids with the "Spring Cleaning" Fundraiser

It’s that time of year again -- the time for spring cleaning! While having a clean house is a refreshing feeling, parents are usually the ones who end up getting stuck with most of the work. What if you could motivate your child or children help you?

To motivate your children to help with tidying up the house, implement a “Spring Cleaning Fundraiser” at your child’s school. This will require a group of parents who want to give back to their school community, teach their children the value of helping around the house, and lessen their own cleaning responsibilities.

Every classroom teacher sends a letter home with their students. This letter will introduce the fundraiser to the parents: parents pay their kids to do household chores, but the money goes directly to a classroom (or entire school) purchase. Students could raise money for a new playground equipment, new musical instruments, or a new classroom pet!

When the kids hand their parents the letter, they’ll think they’re informing their parents for the first time. The catch is that your school’s PTO or PTA can agree upon a dollar-per-chore amount beforehand and inform all parents. For example, kids will earn $1.00 for their school each time they help clean the dishes after dinner.

Cleaning ideas include:

· Dusting
· Sweeping
· Making beds
· Watering the plants
· Doing dishes
· Etc.

You, as a parent, can explain to your child the importance of teamwork and responsibility. Cleaning as a whole family will make it more fun for your child. You could even set a timer for a chore that’s more work; and if they do it in a certain amount of time, you will give them more money.

This fundraiser can last for a week, a month, or a semester -- it depends on how high of a goal your school wants to set.

Although the money isn’t specifically for them, keep reminding your children that they are putting the money they earn to a good cause. At the end of the fundraiser, the teachers will give each student who participated a certificate of excellence or hard work.

Happy cleaning!