I’m trying to get my kids more involved with household tasks but struggling to find things they actually want to do. Right now it’s like pulling teeth to get them to clean their rooms or help with dishes.
What chores have you found that your kids actually enjoy or at least don’t complain about? Looking for ideas that work for different ages if possible. Would love to hear what’s been successful in your house!
My kid went through phases where different tasks clicked. For a while, organizing the silverware drawer was actually exciting because it felt like solving a puzzle. Then we discovered that putting away groceries worked well since there was always something new to discover in the bags.
What caught me off guard was how much interest there was in wiping down baseboards and window sills. Maybe because those spots don’t get cleaned often, so it felt important and special.
Timing made a huge difference too. Saturday mornings seemed to work better than after school when energy was already low.
Mine got into cooking tasks way more than cleaning. Mixing pancake batter, washing vegetables, even measuring ingredients.
My older one handles trash duty without complaints. Something about being the only one strong enough made it appealing.
Laundry folding worked better as a shared activity while watching TV. Made it social instead of just work.
My kids surprised me with what they actually liked doing. My younger one was obsessed with vacuuming when he was around 8 because it felt like using a big machine. He’d actually ask to do it on weekends.
My daughter found her thing with organizing pantry shelves and the spice rack. She liked arranging everything by size or color. It wasn’t something I expected her to enjoy, but she’d spend 20 minutes making everything look perfect.
Both of them ended up liking outdoor tasks more than indoor ones. Raking leaves, washing the car, or even weeding the garden beds worked better than bathroom cleaning or dusting. Something about being outside made it feel less like work.
What really helped was letting them try different things without forcing it. If they hated folding laundry but didn’t mind loading the dishwasher, I went with that. Some chores just clicked with their personalities while others were always going to be a struggle 
The trick was finding their sweet spot and not assuming what they’d like based on their age.
my 5 year old loves anything that involves water, so wiping down tables and counters is actually fun for them. also discovered they enjoy sorting things like putting silverware away or matching socks from laundry.
still figuring out what works best though. some days they’re excited to help and other days it’s a battle. do you find certain times of day work better? wondering if I should stick to the same chores or keep switching it up to maintain interest.