Spring Cleaning With Small Children

Spring cleaning with small children? Sounds like an oxymoron, right? I’ve got two little boys that are 6 and 3 and let me tell you, convincing them to pick up or clean is like pulling teeth (and I’m not talking about those wimpy incisors, we’re pulling molars here!) This year, with the help of a classic game and Bona®, we’re doing spring cleaning a little differently!

Cleaning Can Be Fun

In an effort to minimize the whining and crying about cleaning day this year, I made up this Spring Cleaning Tic-Tac-Toe to lighten the mood a bit. (Scroll to download) The idea is pretty easy, each kid chooses to complete an action and tapes it in place on the tic-tac-toe board. First person to complete a row wins! You can decide if you want to reward with a small prize or they just get the honor of saying they won at Spring Cleaning Tic-Tac-Toe. Hopefully the kids will be so distracted with the game element, they won’t even realize they’re cleaning too. (Hey, a mom can dream!)

Remember, They’re Kids!

The activities I included in the game are easy enough for small children to complete with a little help and supervision from a parent or older sibling. Now keep in mind, the point of spring cleaning with small children is to instill good habits and skills, not necessarily to have things perfectly cleaned or organized. Like the windows in the picture below, you may have to go back over and “clean up” after they’ve cleaned but at least the lesson in hard work and family responsibilities was taught.

The Right Supplies

Another helpful hint when spring cleaning with small children: Have supplies that are easy and light-weight to manage. We found a small set of cleaning supplies (broom, dust pan, cleaning cloths) online a few years ago and they’ve been really helpful for daily and spring cleaning. I also love that my Bona Hardwood Floor mop is small enough for my 3 year old to manage but tough enough when I use it to get my floors sparkling clean (no small feat with two boys!) Plus, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaners are nontoxic and GREENGUARD certified so I don’t have to worry about little hands squeezing the handle over and over and over. I’m serious, I love this mop!

Enter Bona’s Keep It Clean Personality Quiz to play for a chance to win a Bona® Hardwood Floor Mop Express INSTANTLY!

Get In On The Fun

Give Bona a try by joining the BonaFide Fanatics mailing list and receive an instant $3.00 off coupon! Or if you’re feeling lucky, enter Bona’s Keep It Clean Personality Quiz to play for a chance to win a Bona® Hardwood Floor Mop Express INSTANTLY! Registering will enter you for the chance to win a year of cleaning services for your home and the Grand Prize: a trip for 4 to Hawaii!

{Download the Tic-Tac-Toe Free Printable!}

So, what do you think? Have I convinced you to give spring cleaning with small children a try? Just keep the mood light and I’m sure it’ll go smoothly. If not, there’s always the chance that you’ll win a years worth of cleaning service in Bona’s Keep It Clean sweepstakes! Hope you all enjoy the Spring Cleaning Tic-Tac-Toe Game!