Parenting

15 Genius Tricks to Get Even the Laziest Kids to Help Around the House

ParentingPublished May 20, 2015
By Suzee Skwiot
little girl cleaning room

Getting kids to do their chores is no easy feat. It's pretty common for kids to moan and groan about having to clean up their toys and feed Fido -- and pretty normal too. But study after study tells us it's not just helpful to get kids to pitch in around the house; it's good for them too. So how do you make them step up? Bring on the mom hacks!

From chore wheels to payday punch cards, moms around the web have some savvy solutions for sloth-like kids.

So bust out the craft glue and get to making these chore charts. And then set up a brilliant reward system that'll have kids coming back for more!

How to get kids to do chores

What kind of chore system do you have in your home?

Image via shutterstock

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WiFi Password Reward-placeholder
WiFi Password Reward
Mudpie Mamas

WiFi Password Reward

Want a quick and easy way to get them to do chores? Change the WiFi password. Then, they have to complete a certain amount of work before they can log back onto the Internet.

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The Wheel of Chores-placeholder
The Wheel of Chores
All Things Thrifty

The Wheel of Chores

Make it a game! This DIY spinning chore wheel brings a little bit of luck and chance into the mix. It makes the kids "in charge" of what they ultimately have to do, and helps mix things up -- no one is stuck doing the same task day in and day out.

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Chore Assignment Sticks
Clean Mama

Chore Assignment Sticks

The same goes for these chore assignment sticks. These tongue depressors (that you can find at any craft store) include the specific chores that kids can do for the day. Have them close their eyes and pick away! If they "pick" a chore they don't like, it's on them ... no more complaining that you go easy on their siblings.

4/15
Chore Ring-placeholder
Chore Ring
Meaningful Mama

Chore Ring

If you tie chores to an allowance, this is a good way to keep track. Complete a chore pendant from the chore ring, get a quarter in return! These chore rings help to keep the duties all in one place, and they're the same size as coins. That way, it seems like an even exchange for cash whenever they complete a task.

More from The Stir: 5 Tips to Get the Kids to Help You Clean the House

5/15
Payday Punch Card-placeholder
Payday Punch Card
My Digital Creations

Payday Punch Card

A chore payday punch card is just like Mom's loyalty card at the local coffee shop. But in this case, it's all about giving kids the thrill of filling all of their boxes with fun stamps on the way to a reward.

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Zone Chore Chart & Competition
Not Consumed

Zone Chore Chart & Competition

Get the kids to identify zones that are in need of chores, but then make it a game. A good ol' fashioned bout of sibling rivalry is the key. After all kids have completed cleaning their zones, Mom (as the judge), will determine which one completed the work best, and that kid will get a bonus for the day.

7/15
Sweeping Square-placeholder
Sweeping Square
Make Happy

Sweeping Square

Sweeping floors has never been so fun! This sweeping square for kids requires nothing more than a bit of masking tape and a dirty floor. Get them to sweep the dirt into the square, and the task is complete. It's like playing soccer ... only the ball is made up of sand and dust bunnies!

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After School Chore Chart
Pretty Providence

After School Chore Chart

For school nights, keep the checklist short and sweet. The key here is to include other fun events between homework and laundry. Put reading time and snacking in the list, and they'll be checking it away ... and Pretty Providence has a free printable to make things easier on Mom.

More from The Stir: My Kids Don't Need an Allowance for Doing Chores

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Ransom Box-placeholder
Ransom Box
4Men1Lady

Ransom Box

In need of motivation? If your child leaves their toys on the floor, gather them into a ransom box. They have to complete a chore to get a toy back.

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Chore Dice-placeholder
Chore Dice
Delia Creates

Chore Dice

The chore dice get some fortune and fate into the "fun" of cleaning the house. Have the kids roll them once a day to see what they'll be responsible for that afternoon. A "free pass" on the dice will entice them to play along.

11/15
Media Minutes-placeholder
Media Minutes
Organizing Made Fun

Media Minutes

What's a prime reward for a modern kid? Screen time! These media minutes offer kids timed rewards for every type of chore completed, in lieu of, or in addition to, allowance.

12/15
Disney Dollars-placeholder
Disney Dollars
Family Ever After

Disney Dollars

Are you planning a major family trip to the happiest place on earth? Use these Disney Dollars for every time a chore is completed. Then, you can offer them an exchange for real dollars so they can buy whatever souvenirs they want once you arrive at the park.

More from The Stir: 11 Insider Disney World Tricks Every Mom Should Know

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Technology Tokens-placeholder
Technology Tokens
Thirty Handmade Days

Technology Tokens

With technology tokens, kids can get time on their favorite gadgets by completing chores, depending on their difficulty and time taken.

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A Tisket, a Tasket
A Mama With Ideas

A Tisket, a Tasket

Kids don't want to go all the way upstairs every time they finish with a toy? These dollar store baskets double as what A Mama With Ideas calls her "crap baskets." While the kids play downstairs, have them throw their toys in the baskets before they head upstairs. Then, when it's time to go to bed, they can grab their baskets of -- well, you know --on their way up and deposit where they're usually stored.

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Make It Stick-placeholder
Make It Stick
MoreThanAMemoryAK/Etsy

Make It Stick

Step one to encouraging kids to complete the chores is creating a clear and organized chore chart. This classic magnetic chore chart notes exactly what each child has to do each day, if they completed it, and how much more they have to go. The key is to make it interactive and fun!

Etsy, $42

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