Having a hard time getting your kids to do their chores? Let’s face it: Chores aren’t much fun. Sometimes getting your child to clean their room is the hardest thing in the world, and though they’re generally regarded as a hassle, there are ways to help make chores more enjoyable for your kids.  By learning a few tips and tricks, kids will not only learn to enjoy doing household chores, they’ll also be learning positive lifelong habits.  Taking a creative approach to chores is a great way to help your child learn positive skills while having fun.

Take a look at a few of these helpful tips and tricks to help motivate your children.

Include Incentives as Positive Reinforcement

Everyone likes being told they’re doing a good job, and positive reinforcement helps us trudge through chores we don’t necessarily want to do.  When kids are able to take pride from a job well done, they’ll be more likely to regard that particular chore as something they excel in, giving them a sense of contentment and accomplishment.  By offering rewards for good work, kids will be more likely to work efficiently and effectively.

Adding a chart and having the kids cross off a particular chore each week will also help show them the effectiveness and immediate impact of their work.  Be sure to vary the particular chores so that children won’t be stuck doing the same thing every time.

Involve the Whole Family

Kids are much more inclined to do their work when they see other people working too.  By involving the whole family, kids will have an opportunity to see how other people work. They’ll also feel less resentment by knowing that everyone else is working too.  Try making things fun: Play games, have friendly contests, reward good work, and role play.  Try having a race to see who can clean up the fastest, or play family-friendly music and let your kids dance their work away.  You can also allow your kids the opportunity to pick the chores they want to do, and help them take on specific roles as they clean so as to help them stay attentive and creative.

Give Them Ownership

Giving your child their own “tools” for certain chores will help instill positive reinforcement by having them be in charge of a particular duty.   Having their own toolbox will give them a wonderful sense of accomplishment and will help them take pride in the work they’re doing.  You can even help them decorate it the way they want so they know it belongs solely to them.

And there you have it!  By adding incentives, involving the whole family, and taking a creative approach to chores, your children will have a much more enjoyable time doing their work.  Be sure to reward behavior and let them know how proud you are.  With time and positive reinforcement, the chores your kids undertake will become like second nature, instilling great lifelong habits.  Having your kids immersed in their environment is a great way to help them enjoy the work they’re doing.  Remember: more fun means less fuss.