Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home, and it’s even more fun when you involve the kids! These spring cleaning activities not only help tidy up but also teach your children responsibility and valuable life skills.
Whether you’re looking for ways to keep your little ones entertained or tips on how to make cleaning fun, we’ve got you covered.
As you get your kids involved in spring cleaning, using chore charts can make tasks even more fun and organized! Check out these Chore Chart Printables for Kids to help your little ones stay on track and enjoy their responsibilities.
If you have more than one child, check out these Chore Charts for Multiple Kids to keep everyone on task. And for younger children, these Chore Charts for Five Year Olds are perfect for introducing them to age-appropriate responsibilities.
Toddlers (Ages 2-3)
Focus on simple, safe, and sensory-friendly tasks:
- Toy Bath: Perfect for little ones who love water play. Gather favorite toys, fill a bucket with soapy water, and let them scrub and rinse.
- Sock Matching: Turn laundry into a fun matching game.
- Wipe & Shine: Give them a damp cloth to “clean” low surfaces like baseboards or cabinets.
- Dusting Wand: Let them use a feather duster on easy-to-reach spots.
- Pick-Up Party: Make picking up toys a dance party – set a timer and race to clean up!
- Stuffed Animal Spa: Let them wipe down or brush stuffed animals to give them a “bath.”
- Plant Watering Helper: Hand them a small watering can to water indoor plants with supervision.
- Crayon Clean-Up: Give them a damp cloth to wipe down their play table or chairs where crayon marks appear.
- Pillow Fluffing: Let them help fluff pillows and arrange cushions on the couch.
- Sorting Silverware: Under supervision, let them help sort clean spoons and forks into the drawer.
More Ideas:
Windows
Let your child help make your windows sparkle! Hand them a spray bottle and a cloth, and show them how to clean the windows. It’s a fun, hands-on way to get them involved in household chores. If they lose interest, no problem! Encourage them to draw and hang their artwork in the clean windows.
Shoe Shining Station
Set up a shoe-shining station where kids can help clean and polish shoes. Provide them with a cloth, a soft brush, and safe polish. It’s a hands-on activity that gives them a sense of responsibility while having fun.
Create Beaming Bouquets with Flowers
Brighten up your home with homemade bouquets! Gather dandelions, twigs, or other flowers from outside. Have your child arrange them into little bouquets in jars, a fun Montessori-style activity that promotes creativity and fine motor skills.
Wash The Car
Get your car sparkling clean with your little helper. Put on your favorite music and let your child assist in vacuuming the interior, wiping down surfaces, and scrubbing the exterior. Combining this with other cleaning activities, like cleaning toys, can make it a full afternoon of fun.
Magic Dusting
Let your child become a little cleaning wizard! Hand them a spray bottle of safe cleaner and a soft cloth to dust surfaces around the house. This simple activity is both engaging and a great way to introduce kids to cleaning.
Food Prep
Get kids involved in food preparation with simple tasks like peeling hard-boiled eggs, cutting bananas, or sprinkling spices. These activities enhance their fine motor skills while keeping them engaged in helpful tasks.
Gardening With Kids
Turn spring gardening into a fun learning activity for your child! Have them water plants or help you weed the garden. It’s a perfect opportunity to teach them about plant care and the natural world.
Folding Fun
Help your child practice folding washcloths, dish towels, and socks. While their folding might not be perfect, this simple activity is great for building fine motor skills and encouraging independence.
Sort Laundry
Turn laundry day into a learning experience! Have your kids help sort clothes by color or type. This easy activity not only helps with cleaning but also teaches them color recognition and organization skills.
Spring cleaning can be a fun and educational experience for both parents and kids when approached creatively. By incorporating activities like giving toys a bath, shining shoes, or gardening, you can turn chores into memorable bonding moments that teach life skills and foster responsibility.
Whether your children are helping dust the furniture, peel hard-boiled eggs, or clean the windows, these activities make spring cleaning enjoyable for the whole family. Try these ideas with your kids, and make cleaning a playful and productive part of your springtime routine!
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
