If it’s the fall, it probably means the kids are starting school again, and you may feel you have less time. It also could mean your whole house looks like an aisle at Ross, even though you spent hours organizing and cleaning over the summer! Is your floor full of book bags, clothes, and toys? Are snack wrappers everywhere you look? As the school year progresses, keeping your home tidy may seem impossible. School projects are due, games and practices, sleepovers, and before you know it, the holidays will be here. Although it may seem like all hope is lost, after reading this blog, you will learn a few fun games to get your kids involved in keeping your home organized and clean. If it gets beyond the point of no return, consider using PDO.
Even for most adults, cleaning, and organizing are undesirable chores. Can I get an amen? PDO incorporates its Organizational Process described in our other blogs. One great way to get the kids involved is to incentivize them based on their interests. Maybe it’s a new book, a sleepover, or a Mommy and Me Day. You can also get them excited about a bedroom theme or layout they have always wanted. PDO believes that your children can learn responsibility at a young age, so rewards do not always need to be incorporated. 😉
Below are three game ideas that will make the process of maintaining an organized and clean home a little more manageable while making it fun at the same time.
“Let It Go”
Challenge your children to gather toys they don’t play with, clothes that don’t fit, school supplies they don’t use, and anything else they are ready to pass on. You can adjust the rules to gather their belongings anywhere in the house or in one specific room. Now is a great time to explain how they will be helping others by donating the toys and clothes they no longer use or want. Make them excited about serving their community and if you have time, take your child to go with you when you drop off their belongings. The “Let it Go” game can be as easy as whoever can fill a bag, box, or container the fastest will win a reward. Set a timer, and don’t forget to turn on their favorite song or radio station while they play. Yes, it’s a two-for-one deal, and since they can also get some of that built-up energy out by running around, place the boxes or bags in a different area.
“Pile High”
Another game idea, which completes the next step of PDO’s Organizing Process, is the Pile High game. This contest will allow them to make three piles of everything they gathered from the game Let It Go 1. Keep (in case something snuck out of their room they want to keep) 2. Trash, and 3. Donate. Ask questions along the way and allow them to think through their choices. Do they still like it? Do they need it, or do they want it? Two different concepts, and yes, there is a difference. Do they want to help another child in their community? Do they have space in their bedroom or playroom to store and easily access their favorite belongings? If they want a new toy or game, do they need to make space to keep it? Now, it’s time to get the competitive juices flowing! Who can categorize the piles the fastest or the most thoroughly in a set amount? If you only have one child, participate in the game with them! 
“Who You Gonna Call? Grime Busters”
The final game (coincidentally, also the final PDO step) involves cleaning. I call this game Grime Busters, where you and your kids clean the items and the space. Set a timer for 15 minutes or whatever time makes sense for your home, and whoever has the dirtiest rag or the most amount of trash is the winner! Then, it’s time to place the “Keep” (clean) items where they belong. They should be proud at this point, and so should you. You have accomplished a lot. Your children learned the importance of giving, making decisions, and playing a new game. The best part is that your child’s room now has fewer items to store and a little less laundry to complete.
You will have to find creative ways to get the kids excited and involved with keeping the house clean and organized throughout the school year. Don’t waste time, energy, and effort dwelling on how big of a project you have on your hands because it can get overwhelming quickly. Instead, take the opportunity to shift your perspective, rethink your approach, and have fun! These games can help change your mindset of feeling like you must always do it alone. If you live with roommates, friends, parents, or a significant other, have those same competitions and change the reward. Maybe it’s a bottle of wine, date night, or someone cleaning the house!
Click here to learn about PDO’s favorite local charity in the Phoenix metro area. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we will expand on our relationship with Scottsdale Unified School District. Feel free to share any other local charities you support in the comments.
Ohhhh i like games. This will be great for the kiddos! So clever.
Thank you! It was fun putting this blog together. 😉