Quick Tips to Tackle Chores with Kids and Save Time in Our Busy Home

Let’s face it: keeping a household running smoothly while juggling the demands of a busy family can feel like a monumental task. The endless list of chores can be overwhelming, especially when competing priorities pull us in every direction. From laundry piling up and dishes stacking high to the general mess that comes with having kids, I often find myself struggling to keep up.

But here’s the good news: getting your household chores done faster while involving kids isn’t just a dream. It’s absolutely possible! In this post, I’ll share some time-saving tips that can lighten your load and make chores a more collaborative and enjoyable experience for the whole family.

5 Time-Saving Tips for Household Chores

1. Create a Chore Schedule

A chore schedule can be your best friend in the battle against household chaos. Setting aside specific days and times for chores helps keep everyone on track. For example, I plan a weekly family meeting where we discuss and assign tasks, ensuring that everyone knows their responsibilities.

By establishing a chore schedule, you can allocate time blocks for bigger cleaning tasks, such as deep cleaning the bathrooms on Saturdays, and include quick daily chores, like tidying up the kitchen after meals. This organized approach makes maintaining the household less intimidating and more manageable.

Family calendar with chore assignments

2. Use a Timer

You’d be amazed at how much can be accomplished in a short burst of time! I often set a timer for 15-20 minutes and challenge myself to clean as much as I can before the time is up. This method makes chores feel like a game and creates a sense of urgency.

Encourage your kids to join in! When they see you excited about the timer challenge, they are more likely to get involved. For instance, we once cleaned the living room together in just 10 minutes, and we managed to pick up more than 30 toys!

3. Combine Chores with Fun Activities

Chores don’t have to be boring! One of my favorite hacks is to combine cleaning tasks with fun activities. For example, we often play our favorite tunes while we’re cleaning or turn chores into a friendly competition. Who can pick up the most toys in 5 minutes?

This approach not only makes cleaning more enjoyable but also helps my kids engage more willingly. After one of these “cleaning dance parties,” our house felt fresh, and we all laughed the entire time!

Vacuum cleaner next to scattered toys

4. Declutter Regularly

Sometimes, less is more. The less clutter you have, the less there is to clean! I dedicate a few hours each weekend to decluttering our home. This includes sorting through clothes that no longer fit, toys that have been outgrown, or kitchen items that haven't been used in ages.

Involving kids in this process teaches them to be mindful of their belongings and helps them develop a sense of responsibility. For example, we recently donated 50 toys that my kids no longer played with, making space for new favorites.

5. Make Use of Multitasking

I often tackle multiple tasks simultaneously. While waiting for a load of laundry to finish, I might wipe down counters or load the dishwasher. This coordinated approach allows me to maximize every minute.

When the kids are home, I encourage them to help out. For instance, while I prepare dinner, they can fold clothes or help with the dishes. Incorporating these tasks into our daily routines means we can tackle household chores while forming connections as a family.

Engaging Toddlers in Household Tasks

I’ll be honest: getting household tasks done with toddlers around can be a real challenge. Their boundless energy and curiosity can make chores difficult. However, involving them in age-appropriate chores can transform the experience.

1. Simple Sorting Games

Toddlers love games and playful activities. One effective task is sorting laundry together. I ask my child to help match pairs of socks or sort clothes by color. This makes laundry more enjoyable for them, and I get a helping hand at the same time.

2. Toy Cleanup

When it's time to clean up toys, I find that creating a game is helpful. We pretend to race against the clock to see how fast we can pick up toys together. This makes cleaning fun and instills the habit of tidying up in my toddler.

3. Tiny Helpers

In addition to playful cleaning, I assign toddler-friendly tasks like dusting low furniture or “feeding” their toy pets. Giving them these small chores empowers them and makes them feel crucial to the household.

Cleaning it Up...

Implementing these time-saving strategies has significantly reduced the pressure that comes with household chores in our busy home. By creating a system that involves the entire family, we've navigated the chaos together while making the most of our time.

Working together not only helps us be more efficient but also gives us the opportunity to bond and create lasting memories. Next time you feel overwhelmed by household chores, remember: with a little planning and teamwork, you can tackle them more quickly while involving your kids and making the experience a bit more delightful!

Do you have your own tips for getting household chores done faster with kids? I’d love to hear about them, just shoot me a message or add it to the comments on one of my Social Media posts! If you're not already, you can follow me @The_EfficiencyExpert on Instagram, Threads and TikTok!