Ah, the age-old battle—getting kids to help out with chores. We grandmothers know that tidying up isn’t just about having a clean house; it’s about teaching responsibility, teamwork, and the satisfaction of a job well done. But convincing grandkids to lend a hand? Well, that takes a little strategy, a dash of creativity, and maybe even a touch of grandmotherly trickery!

Let’s be honest—kids today have more distractions than we ever did. Screens, video games, and endless entertainment options make chores seem even more unappealing. But that doesn’t mean we can’t outsmart them! If you’re tired of hearing “Do I have to?” every time you mention chores, here are 15 clever tricks to turn chore time into fun time—without the fuss.

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1. Make It a Game

One of the best ways to get kids involved in chores is by making them fun. Turn a boring task into an exciting challenge!

• Have a “Speed Cleaning Championship” and time how fast they can complete a task.
• Set up a “Toy Rescue Mission” where they must find and return all misplaced toys to their proper homes.
• Use “Secret Spy Mode” and have them sneak through the house, cleaning up without getting “caught” (by imaginary spies, of course).

Kids love games, and if there’s a challenge involved, they’ll forget they’re even doing chores!

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2. Use a Chore Wheel or Dice

A sense of control can make all the difference. Instead of assigning chores, let the kids feel like they have some say in what they do.

• Create a colorful chore wheel and let them spin to determine their task.
• Write different chores on dice, and let them roll to see which one they’ll do.

The element of randomness makes it feel less like an obligation and more like a fun surprise!

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3. Sing a Silly Cleanup Song

There’s a reason teachers use songs to teach kids—music makes everything more fun!

Try making up a funny cleaning song, or use classics like:

• “Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere!”
• Put on an upbeat song and challenge them to finish their chore before it ends.

You’d be surprised how quickly they’ll move when there’s a race against the music!

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4. Work Alongside Them

Sometimes, kids just don’t want to do things alone. If they see you washing dishes or dusting alongside them, it feels like teamwork instead of punishment.

This also gives you an opportunity to chat and bond with them. Some of the best conversations happen when hands are busy, and kids are more likely to open up when they feel relaxed.

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5. Offer Choices

Instead of saying, “Go clean your room,” try:

• “Would you rather sweep the floor or set the table?”
• “Do you want to dust or help with the laundry?”

When kids have a choice, they feel more in control and are less likely to resist.

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6. Turn It Into a Story

Want them to mop the floor? Tell them they’re detectives removing invisible clues. Need them to dust? They’re archaeologists uncovering a lost treasure beneath the dust!

• Cleaning windows? They’re astronauts getting rid of space dust.
• Folding clothes? They’re organizing royal garments for a queen or king.

Kids have active imaginations—why not use that to your advantage?

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7. Use the “Chore Lottery”

Write chores on slips of paper, fold them up, and put them in a jar. Each child pulls a chore at random.

This method makes chores feel like a fun surprise rather than a dreaded task. Plus, it prevents arguments over who gets to do what!

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8. Reward the Effort, Not Just the Result

A simple “Wow, you’re working so hard on that!” goes a long way.

Praising their effort rather than just the final result boosts their confidence and encourages them to take pride in their work. Kids love feeling helpful, especially when their hard work is recognized.

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9. Turn Chores into Exercise

If they’re full of energy, why not turn chores into an active challenge?

• Challenge them to do squats while picking up toys.
• Have them hop like a bunny while bringing dishes to the sink.
• See how fast they can run while putting laundry away.

Making chores feel like play instead of work keeps them engaged and entertained!

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10. Use Funny Voices or Accents

Want to make chores entertaining? Use your best pirate voice while sweeping, or pretend to be robots while putting away groceries.

It might sound silly, but silliness keeps boredom away.

• “Arrr, matey! Scrub those decks (a.k.a. the floor) before the captain inspects!”
• “Robot mode activated: Must put away all books in three…two…one!”

Kids won’t even realize they’re doing chores because they’ll be too busy giggling!

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11. Make It a Race Against the Clock

Tell them they have exactly five minutes to see how much they can accomplish before the timer runs out.

This technique taps into their natural competitiveness. You’ll be amazed at how fast they move when they know they’re racing against time!

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12. Create a Chore Punch Card

Make a simple punch card with chores listed on it. Every time they complete one, they get a hole punched or a sticker added.

Once they fill up their card, they earn a small treat—like choosing the family movie or getting an extra bedtime story.

This gives them a sense of achievement and makes chores feel rewarding.

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13. Tie Chores to Something They Want

Not as a bribe, but as a logical step. Instead of saying, “Clean your room, or else,” say:

• “We’ll go to the park after the toys are picked up.”
• “Dinner will be ready once the table is set.”

This way, chores become a natural part of the day, not a punishment.

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14. Rotate “Boss for the Day”

Let them take turns being “Chore Boss” for the day. The boss gets to decide who does what (within reason).

Kids love having authority, and this way, they feel like they’re in charge instead of just following orders.

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15. End with a Dance Party

After the chores are done, crank up the music and have a little dance party!

Not only does this give them something fun to look forward to, but it also reinforces the idea that working together can be rewarding.

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Final Thoughts

Getting grandkids to help out with chores doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a little creativity and a few sneaky tricks, we can make chores something they actually enjoy (or at least tolerate without too much groaning!).

And who knows? With enough fun and encouragement, we just might raise a generation of kids who clean up without being asked. (Okay, maybe that’s wishful thinking—but a grandma can dream, right?)

Have you tried any of these tricks? Or do you have a clever trick of your own? Let’s swap ideas—because every grandmother needs a few tricks up her sleeve!

You said:

add in some tricks that could work on older grandkids

ChatGPT said:

Here’s an expanded version of your article with some tricks specifically aimed at older grandkids—because we all know teenagers and preteens can be a tougher crowd when it comes to chores!

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15 Clever Tricks to Get Your Grandkids to Help Out with Chores (Without Complaints!)

Ah, the age-old battle—getting kids to help out with chores. We grandmothers know that tidying up isn’t just about having a clean house; it’s about teaching responsibility, teamwork, and the satisfaction of a job well done. But convincing grandkids to lend a hand? Well, that takes a little strategy, a dash of creativity, and maybe even a touch of grandmotherly trickery!

Now, younger grandkids can often be persuaded with fun and games, but what about the older ones? Preteens and teenagers tend to be a little less enthusiastic about helping out. They’re busy, they’re independent, and—let’s be honest—sometimes they just don’t want to listen to grandma.

But don’t worry, we’ve got tricks for them too! If you’re tired of hearing, “Ugh, do I have to?” every time you mention chores, here are 15 clever strategies to turn chore time into something they might actually enjoy—or at least tolerate without too much groaning!

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For Younger Grandkids (Ages 3-10):

1. Make It a Game

Turn a boring task into an exciting challenge!

• Have a “Speed Cleaning Championship” and time how fast they can complete a task.
• Use “Secret Spy Mode” and have them sneak through the house, cleaning up without getting “caught” (by imaginary spies, of course).
• Assign “chore points” that add up to small rewards (like extra storytime or picking a special activity).

Kids love games, and if there’s a challenge involved, they’ll forget they’re even doing chores!

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2. Use a Chore Wheel or Dice

Create a colorful wheel with different chores and let them spin to see what they’ll do. Or write chores on a set of dice—roll and see what task they get! The randomness makes it feel less like an obligation and more like a fun surprise.

---

3. Sing a Silly Cleanup Song

Try making up a funny cleaning song, or use classics like:

• “Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere!”
• Put on an upbeat song and challenge them to finish their chore before it ends.

It’s simple, but effective!

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4. Work Alongside Them

Young kids don’t like feeling like they’re doing something alone. If they see you sweeping, dusting, or folding laundry alongside them, they’ll be much more eager to join in.

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5. Offer Choices

Instead of saying, “Go clean your room,” try:

• “Would you rather sweep the floor or set the table?”
• “Do you want to dust or help with the laundry?”

When kids have a choice, they feel more in control and are less likely to resist.

---

6. Turn It Into a Story

Want them to mop the floor? Tell them they’re detectives removing invisible clues. Need them to dust? They’re archaeologists uncovering lost treasure beneath the dust!

Little imaginations go a long way in making chores fun.

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For Older Grandkids (Preteens & Teenagers):

Now, let’s talk about the older grandkids. With teenagers, we need to get a little more strategic because they’re not going to fall for pirate voices or silly songs. (If they do, congratulations—you’ve got a rare one!)

7. Appeal to Their Need for Independence

Teenagers don’t like feeling like they’re being told what to do. Instead of framing it as a demand, try saying:

• “Hey, I trust you to take care of this for me.”
• “Would you mind helping me out with this? It would mean a lot.”

Older kids like being treated as responsible individuals, and they’re more likely to step up if they feel respected.

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8. Tie Chores to Real-Life Skills

Teens love to feel like they’re learning something useful—especially if it will help them in the real world.

• Show them how doing laundry correctly will keep their favorite clothes from shrinking.
• Teach them to cook a meal, so they’ll impress their future roommates or dates.
• Explain how cleaning skills will make them look responsible when they have their own place.

When they see chores as life prep instead of boring work, they’re more willing to help.

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9. Offer Tech Time or Privileges as an Incentive

Not as a bribe, but as a logical step:

• “Once the dishes are done, we can watch that show together.”
• “After you vacuum, I’ll drive you to your friend’s house.”

This method makes chores part of their routine rather than feeling like a punishment.

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10. Set a Time Limit

Teens work better when there’s a clear end in sight. Instead of saying, “Clean your room,” say:

• “Set a timer for 10 minutes and clean as much as you can—then you’re done!”
• “Let’s see if we can get this done in 20 minutes so we can relax afterward.”

Short bursts of cleaning feel less overwhelming, and they’re more likely to go along with it.

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11. Make Chores a Group Effort

Instead of assigning tasks, make it a team effort.

• Turn on music and do a quick cleanup session together.
• Challenge everyone to finish a certain number of tasks before dinner.

Teens are more likely to join in if it doesn’t feel like they’re being singled out.

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12. Use Their Strengths to Your Advantage

Older kids have skills—use them!

• Got a tech-savvy teen? Ask them to help organize digital files, untangle cords, or set up a smart home device.
• Have a physically strong grandkid? Ask them to move heavy boxes or rearrange furniture.

When a task feels like something they’re good at, they’ll take more pride in doing it.

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13. Give Them Leadership Over a Task

Teens love to feel in charge. Instead of telling them to help, ask them to take the lead.

• “Could you be in charge of making sure the kitchen is cleaned up after dinner?”
• “I trust you to make the living room look nice before guests come over.”

This works because it plays into their desire to be independent while also making them responsible for the task.

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14. Let Them Earn Extra Perks

Older kids love the idea of earning something. Instead of a basic allowance system, offer “Grandma Perks” for extra effort.

• Completing chores without being asked = Extra dessert
• Helping with a big cleaning project = Getting to pick dinner
• Taking initiative = A surprise treat

It’s not about bribing, but about rewarding effort in a way that feels fair.

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15. End with Something Fun

Teens might not love cleaning, but they’ll love knowing there’s something fun afterward.

• Plan a special outing or movie night after big clean-ups.
• Promise a baking session after chores are done.
• Let them pick an activity once the house is tidy.

Having a reward at the end makes them more likely to participate without complaining.

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Final Thoughts

Whether your grandkids are little or practically grown, the key to getting them to help is to make chores feel less like work and more like part of everyday life. With a little creativity and patience, we can turn these moments into opportunities—not just for a cleaner home, but for bonding, responsibility, and lifelong habits.

And hey, who knows? Maybe one day, they’ll even thank us for teaching them these skills! (Or at least think about thanking us—close enough, right?)

Do you have any tricks that work on your grandkids? Let’s swap ideas!