New Tidy Task ideas are not for routine, daily chores, but designed for extra chores and/or extra fun to add a boost to the monotony of daily chores. They also can add fun to a family while doing things that really are pretty mundane.

Parents, particularly adoptive parents, should remember that children want to become a part of something fun. A child won’t want to become a part of something boring and difficult. Children seek to be included and find a sense of belonging in things that are positive, happy or fun. When we think about our adopted children forming bonds of attachment, it’s important for us to remember to have fun and to have fun together with our children. Adding fun into regular life is a wonderful way of strengthening our families.

Music

Keep aside a few very lively, very fun CDs that most of the family will enjoy. Don’t listen to these on a regular basis, but keep them aside to make them extra fun when you use them for a family activity like this one.

Clean together; one room per song. As a family (or possibly divide into groups, as it works for your family) gather in one room. Put in the CD. While the music is playing, work together and clean one room. When the song ends, move to another room for the next song. Whatever you do or however much the first room needs cleaning, don’t stay in the first room for a second song (personal experience speaking). Go to a new room for each song. If needed, go back to a room for a “round two” song after several other rooms have been done; just don’t stick around in one room. It seems to take the fun out of the cleaning tasks.

Tickets

Have the kids go around and make a list of tasks that need doing around the home. Help them to divide these things into 10 minute tasks. Write one task on to each “ticket”. (Tickets might be index cards, cut paper pieces, or even actual tickets like the ones we purchased at Wal Mart.) Place tickets into bowl or paper lunch sack. Children draw a ticket and do the listed task. When they have 5 finished tickets, they can redeem them with mom for a treat (edible or otherwise).

Idea: Keep an eye out for clearances while you shop to accumulate a stash of all sorts of treats for activities like these. I never pay more than $1 per prize – and that is for really good ones; less for more average items – and I have a huge stash to use. Even I have fun with these things!

Other Tidy Task idea blogs:
How to Get Kids to Help Using Tidy Tasks
Tidy Tasks - Using Fun Charts
Tidy Tasks - Using a Cycle Chart