H is for Housework #AtoZChallenge

Posted April 9, 2020 in A-Z Challenge / 4 Comments

The Blogging from A-Z Challenge continues today. Every day throughout April (except Sundays) I’ll be posting a range of ideas and tips for keeping your family entertained at home. It will include arts and crafts, games, learning ideas and imaginative activities for all ages. I thought it would be particularly useful while we’re all self-isolating or socially distancing, though it can be used for any time of year.

Letter “H” is for Housework. Okay, okay, housework isn’t normally considered a fun family activity. But it’s probably something that needs to be done more than ever now the whole family is at home all day to make a mess.

Why not channel your inner Mary Poppins and try to turn housework into a game?

Image description: Mary Poppins putting clothes into a chest of drawers by magic and the Banks family children staring in shock. Image from Giphy.

Ideas to make Housework Fun

  • Have a quick 15 minute clean up each day to keep on top of things and avoid feeling burnt out.
  • Use lots of small colourful plastic boxes to store toys (or paint your own cardboard boxes). Then turn tidying up into a sorting game in which the kids have to match the items to the correct coloured box.
  • Assign each family member to a room and see who can make theirs spick and span the quickest. The winner gets a reprieve from having to wash up or cook dinner.
  • Set a timer and see who can collect the most toys in a bucket in 1 minute. Or for adults, see how much cleaning you can get done in the time it takes for the toast to pop or the kettle to boil.
  • Turn tidying up into a scavenger hunt by asking them to collect “things they can wear”, “things they can play with” or “anything red”.
  • Play tidying-up relay. Pass items to each other to be carried upstairs and downstairs or line up and do tasks in sequence (one person collects the clothes, another loads the washing machine, one sets the machine, etc.)
  • Make the most of sunny days by tackling outdoor chores like washing the car, painting the fence or gardening. Most kids love this type of activity.
  • Hide treats around the house that will only be found if they clean up properly.
  • Use checklists and pictures to explain to your kids exactly what they need to do. Assign each task a point value that they can then use to “buy” treats.
  • Listen to podcasts or audiobooks to take your mind off unpleasant tasks.
  • Use cleaning products that smell amazing (or make your own) and it will seem more enjoyable. I know Mrs Hinch fans rave about Zoflora disinfectant. I’m personally partial to the Method rhubarb scented antibacterial spray but I can’t get it anywhere at the moment (boo).
  • Reward hard work with treats like ice-cream or staying up late to watch a film.
  • Make your own playlist to dance along to while you clean. Mine is called “Housework Hustle” and it includes many cheesy classics like “I want to Break Free”. Buzzfeed have some other song suggestions here.
Image description: My four-year-old daughter standing on a stool in her PJs and wellies washing the car with a sponge. Picture taken by Anstice Brown on 05/04/2020.

Over to you!

Do you have any tips for making housework more fun? Let me know in the comments.

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4 responses to “H is for Housework #AtoZChallenge

  1. What a great idea! And so true- with all of us home now it does take more work haha to keep the place up. I think these are all great ideas but I especially like the playlist one! Nothing like music to get one going. 🙂

    The Marry Poppins image made me smile too!

    • True. I often have a good sing-along while I’m hoovering and it makes the time fly. Good job, because my daughter leaves a trail of crumbs wherever she goes.

    • I have to do something to relieve the boredom and drudgery of household chores. I absolutely hate doing the cleaning otherwise.

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