How to Make Chores Fun for Kids [Simple Ways That Parents May Reinforce]

Household chores are often avoided by children. They think it is not a fun activity or that it is something that has to be done so that they could do something fun.

According to research, giving chores to children can help them set up for a successful life. This study was conducted by Marty Rossman from the University of Mississipi.

The research showed that children who have done chores since they were three or four years old were "more likely to be well-adjusted, have better relationships with friends and family, and be more successful in their careers."

For parents, they can start making chores sound like a fun activity, here are some of the ways on how to do it:

Make children think of chores as "meaningful roles" or "special jobs."

According to an article from Psychology Today, there is no fun in thinking of tasks as chores. That is why children should not be led to think this way. When they think of chores as tasks, punishment, or anything negative, then they no longer see the fun in doing chores.

Making chores sound like a special job can do the trick. Naturally, kids love jobs, so giving them one will make it a fun thing to do.

Consider the kids' ideas.

When kids feel that they are a part of something, they get more invested in doing the tasks. One way of knowing how to make chores fun for kids is ensuring that they are doing engaged work.

Their ideas should count towards the planning and execution of chores. For example, when gardening, kids should also input what plants they would like to see grow in their garden.

Add something extra.

Add-ons can make any job look fun. For example, if they are tasked to wash the windows, a small ladder as an extra something or an add-on can make doing the chores fun.

Whenever they clean up their toys, music, or playing songs that they love can be a good add-on.

Also, when kids are done with their chores, they can be given thank you cards or stickers and stampers.

Appreciate their job well done.

Part of the joy in finishing every chore is being appreciated. For kids, being thanked can come a long way when they are done with some chores. According to Psychology Today, an example of thanking and reinforcing to kids is by saying, "Thanks for washing the dishes tonight. I didn't think you were going to get that goo off the frying pan, but your elbow grease really worked!"