Comments on: A Printable Cleaning Checklist For Kids Rooms

By: Lois

Lois — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:31:38 +0000

Thank you so much! My children’s idea of cleaning their rooms involves pulling OUT the Lego’s. Talk about AAAACK factor. I needed something to help.

By: Katie B.

Katie B. — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:41:34 +0000

Checklists really are great for kids, aren’t they?

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:36:39 +0000

We have a similar checklist for the kids rooms. Thanks for sharing at Fluster's Creative Muster. Looking forward to seeing what you link up next week.

By: Katie B.

Katie B. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:02:14 +0000

Most definitely! LOL

By: Teresa

Teresa — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:44:04 +0000

Um – I think this proves, it’s all in how the project is presented…

By: Katie B.

Katie B. — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:40:45 +0000

My mother did something very similar when I was little. Basically, she’d wait until I was at school then dump every drawer in the middle of my room. On top of this, she’d throw everything that was on the floor of my closet or on top of my desk, dresser or nightstand. Then she’d tell me to put things away properly, one at a time.

You can imagine my attitude toward cleaning when I was a kid as a result, LOL!

By: Katie B.

Katie B. — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:38:51 +0000

You’re welcome! I had to come up with *something* since my son’s version of cleaning his room and my version are so drastically different. Hint: his involves shoving everything under the bed. Aaaack!

By: susan

susan — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 23:16:07 +0000

Hmm… I’ve never tried this. As a kid I remember being told “go clean your room” and then being unsure what my mom expected. I’ve been using the same approach with my boys and not been happy with the results. I think your approach might be worth considering. Thanks.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:50:00 +0000

Another tip I read somewhere (I wish I could remember where, because the guy should be given full credit!) anyhow, for kids who become easily overwhelmed when presented with a room that is in disarray and needs to be cleaned… Most of the time, it’s the overwhelming “stuff” that puts kids (and adults) into full on “I can’t do this” mode. Once the stuff is put away, the rest of the cleaning is easier.

Take a basket and put it in the middle of the floor. This is the “inbox” go around the room and put everything that needs to be picked up into the basket (no matter what it is – no decision is made at this point – everything goes into the basket). If the basket gets full, put the overflow around the outside of the basket.

Once everything has been picked up, then and only then you start to put away. Remember everything should be in this pile!

Next: This is very important: Take one thing at a time (only one!) and put it away in its place, put it in the trash, or put it in a box to be taken to another room.

This requires less by way of decision making so it’s not such a huge mountain to climb for them. It’s much easier to decide what to do with only one thing than it is to look at a room and say “OMG I have to put ALL this away… I can’t do it!

This can be translated to any person in the house who has problems starting a clean up. It might work. It might not. Worth trying it.