How to Engage the Whole Family in Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning your home can seem too big a task for one person to tackle, but you do not have to go at it alone. Enlist the rest of your family. Here are tips for getting them all involved, from clearing closets to organizing clutter. Dividing up chores among the family will give everyone a sense a responsibility.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Make it an event. Give your children notice to clear up their calendars, get used to the idea of a family spring-cleaning day, and understand that this task is an important event that requires everyone's cooperation and participation.

2. Remember to fuel up with a good breakfast. Then, turn off the television, cell phones and computers. Gather the troops at a designated time to begin the spring cleaning process.

3. It is important to keep chores appropriate for each kid's age group. Young children should work in small intervals that last between 20-30 minutes. The ideal task for them is sorting items into containers and labeling them. Older children can assist with any task from vacuuming to cleaning bathrooms.

4. Create a list of chores for each room. Give clear directions on how you want the task completed. Be prepared to demonstrate each task to others or answer questions from others who are confused with the task.

5. Create a cleaning tool kit for each room that will accelerate the task to be completed. Have all the cleansers, scrub pads and towels inside the kit.

6. Plan breaks and snacks throughout the day to give motivation to the kids. End the day with a special family meal to reward everyone on their hard work.