How to Gamify Chores to Make Them More Fun (for You and the Kids)
A Personal Story
The other night, I was staring at the mountain of laundry on our couch — the kind that makes you want to pretend it doesn’t exist. Squish was building Lego towers, I was scrolling my phone trying to muster the will to fold, and we were both clearly avoiding the task.
So, I tried something different.
I turned the laundry into a race — “First one to match 10 socks gets a point!” Suddenly, Squish was giggling, I was smiling, and the job that normally dragged on forever was done in 8 minutes.
That night taught me something important:
Chores aren’t always boring by nature — sometimes, we just forget to make them playful.
Why Gamifying Chores Works
Kids are naturally drawn to challenges and rewards.
You shift the focus from “I have to” to “I want to.”
It creates moments of connection instead of power struggles.
It teaches problem-solving, teamwork, and persistence.
5 Easy Steps to Gamify Chores
1. Turn Chores into a Race
Why: A timer or friendly competition adds urgency and fun.
How: Set a 5-minute timer and challenge everyone to see how much they can do before it dings.
Example: “Let’s see if we can get all the toys picked up before the song ends!”
2. Use Points and Rewards
Why: Kids love tracking progress and earning something for their effort.
How: Assign point values to tasks — 10 points for making the bed, 5 for feeding the dog — then let kids trade points for a reward like extra story time or choosing the next family movie.
3. Turn Tasks into Mini-Missions
Why: Role-play makes even simple chores feel exciting.
How: Pretend you’re secret agents cleaning before a “special guest” arrives or archaeologists dusting off ancient artifacts (aka shelves).
4. Add Music and Movement
Why: Music naturally energizes and makes tasks more enjoyable.
How: Create a “chore playlist” of upbeat songs and dance your way through cleaning. Bonus points if you choreograph silly moves.
5. Make it a Team Sport
Why: Working together builds cooperation and accountability.
How: Divide into teams — kids vs. parents, or everyone against the clock — and celebrate when you hit your goal.
A Loving Message to Squish
Squish,
I hope you grow up knowing that work and fun don’t have to be separate things.
Life will always have dishes to wash and rooms to clean, but I want you to see that how you do them matters.
If you can turn responsibility into a game, you’ll never run out of joy — even on the busiest days.
All Our Love,
Mom and Dad
Helpful Tools to Make Gamifying Chores Easier
(The post uses affiliate links and we may make money if you click on the link and purchase with no extra charge to you. All products are ones we believe in and use in our own house.)
Magnetic Chore Chart for Kids – Visual tracking makes points and progress exciting.
Colorful Kitchen Timer – Perfect for races and timed challenges
Bluetooth Speaker – Blast your chore playlist anywhere in the house.
Mini Prizes Variety Pack – Fun little rewards for completed tasks.
Storage Bins with Labels – Makes cleanup faster and easier for everyone.
Mindful Final Thought
Next time you feel the “ugh” of chores setting in, pause and ask yourself — how can I make this a game?
You don’t need fancy tools or hours of prep.
All you need is a little imagination and the willingness to laugh while you work.
Your home will be cleaner, but more importantly, you’ll build memories instead of just checking off a list.
