Spring is in the air! Or at least right around the corner for most of us. With the arrival of warmer temperatures, blooming foliage, and Little League Baseball, your house might still be crowded with the remnants of winter.
Are there still cardboard boxes from Christmas in the garage? Are the blinds heavy with dust after months of the windows being closed? Have the kids’ toys begun to take over the house?
It’s time to kick spring cleaning into gear.
Sure, Mom and Dad may be motivated to de-clutter, dust, and organize the house, but the kids, who are probably mostly responsible for the mess, might need a little motivation. It’s never too early to start some spring cleaning traditions with the kids, so here are a few ideas to implement and make the purging and polishing process a bit more enjoyable.
Make It a Game
Do your children enjoy a little friendly competition? Why not make spring cleaning into a game? Make a checklist for each child to tackle in their own rooms, including dusting the blinds, changing the sheets, vacuuming the floors, and so on.
Whoever reaches the end of the list first will get a reward, whether it’s a new book, pizza night, or a new app for their tablet.
Alternatively, every kid that gets their list done in a certain amount of time gets the reward. The rules of the game are in the hands of Mom and Dad. This is often the best way to get the children’s rooms clean without the parents having to step in and do it.
Turn It Into a Party
Kids of all ages like to move and groove a little while they’re sweeping floors and loading up laundry. Since it’s springtime, it’s the perfect temperature outside to open the windows and start up the bluetooth speaker – or maybe even the old record player – and play some music while the dust gets expelled from the home.
Complete the party atmosphere by baking cookies for kids to snack on while they clean. Make some punch, order a pizza, and turn a day of spring cleaning into an event.
Donate What You Can’t Use
At the end of your family spring cleaning regimen, there will likely be a pile of toys, clothes, or old bicycles and sporting goods that need a new home. This is a great opportunity to show your children the value of donating to places like Goodwill or The Salvation Army.
Having the kids select items to give away on their own will also help strengthen the intrinsic value of giving to others. This is a great exercise in mindfulness in the family—plus it helps promote a clutter-free home.
Spruce Up the Décor
After a long winter spent indoors, the same old décor can start to look tired. Designate spring cleaning as the time to refresh the entire home with new decorative accents.
While your kids may not be as excited as you are about new throw pillows and curtains for the living room, they do look forward to redecorating their own room. Reward younger kids with new posters, play rugs, or an indoor teepee or canopy.
Let older kids and teens pick out a new bedding set, change the wall color, or select a new set of window blinds or shades. The promise of an entirely new space can help motivate everything as they clean.
Cleaning is probably nobody’s first idea when it comes to fun, especially not for kids. But there are steps you can take to make your biggest cleaning weekend of the year into a special event you’ll want to repeat every year.
Final tip: give the weekend a fun name and mark it on the calendar for all to see!
About the Author
Katie Laird is the Director of Social Marketing for Blinds.com and a passionate home decorator for her family with a love of all things mid-century modern and blue.
Learn more about the wide varieties of window blinds and how they can add a new look to your home this spring by visiting the Blinds.com website.