Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CleanForTheHolidays #CollectiveBias
Bet you didn't think "fun" could be used to describe things like or spray mop or floor cleaning, am I right?
Kay loves to vacuum. Really. And it's all because of (wait for this one) the Vacuum Dance.
That's right, dancing around with the vacuum makes it a treat, not a chore, for this one. So much so, in fact, that if I warn her threateningly, "Careful with those crumbs or you'll need to vacuum when you're finished," it's not really a deterrent.
That's right, dancing around with the vacuum makes it a treat, not a chore, for this one. So much so, in fact, that if I warn her threateningly, "Careful with those crumbs or you'll need to vacuum when you're finished," it's not really a deterrent.
Ah, well. I suppose there are worse things than a child who wants to keep the floor clean, even if it is just so she can dance with the vacuum, kicking up her leg and saying "Wooo!" randomly.
Now she has a new favorite. The O-Cedar ProMist, which she can dance with (and she does!) but which also has a button to release the cleaning solution. She calls it the "squirty button" and uses it way too often. You've never seen a kid so cheerful to clean up their spills!
Now she has a new favorite. The O-Cedar ProMist, which she can dance with (and she does!) but which also has a button to release the cleaning solution. She calls it the "squirty button" and uses it way too often. You've never seen a kid so cheerful to clean up their spills!
(I got the O-Cedar ProMist at Walmart for less than $25. Come on - you can't expect me not to brag just a little about a deal like that!)
And then there's the chores she's not so fond of (you know, the ones you can't dance to). For those we have to get a little more creative and that's where this handy chore chart comes in. I think she gets a feeling of accomplishment when the "done" side is filled. Or she just likes playing with magnets. Either way, it's working, so I'm not questioning it too deeply.
Best part - it was super-simple to make. (You know how I love those super-simple crafts!)
Best part - it was super-simple to make. (You know how I love those super-simple crafts!)
We used: Glass gems (some people use them as decorative fillers for vases - we use them as loose parts!), self-adhesive magnet strips, printable chore images and glue.
I searched for free clip art online that could represent different chores Kay is expected to do - there was a shirt for putting her school clothes away when she gets home each day, a dog bowl for filling up the dog's water dish, a plate for putting her dishes in the sink when she's finished eating, blocks for picking up her toys and a toothbrush for...well, brushing her teeth. I printed them out, cut them into circles and, using my trusty glue stick, glued them to the back to the glass gems.
I searched for free clip art online that could represent different chores Kay is expected to do - there was a shirt for putting her school clothes away when she gets home each day, a dog bowl for filling up the dog's water dish, a plate for putting her dishes in the sink when she's finished eating, blocks for picking up her toys and a toothbrush for...well, brushing her teeth. I printed them out, cut them into circles and, using my trusty glue stick, glued them to the back to the glass gems.
Then I stuck on some magnet strips (if you don't have any of the self-adhesive kind, try recycling some old magnets, like the ones you get with the phone book!). I thought a nice little piece of magnet would work, but nope, these gems are heavier than they look; don't be fooled! It all dried quickly and then I went on a search for something magnetic to use them on.
I found Kay's easel that's been sitting on the porch forgotten for some time and decided to give it new life as a chore chart. (Did you know dry erase boards are magnetic? You do now!) I wrote out "To do" on one side and "done" on the other and - viola! Easy-peasy chore chart.
How do you encourage your kids to do the less-than-fun chores? I'd love to hear your ideas!
