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Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home, and it’s even better when your kids feel like part of the process. With a few creative ideas, spring cleaning becomes playful, hands-on, and surprisingly fun—all while teaching responsibility and age-appropriate life skills.
Before you dive in, here’s a quick list of simple ideas you can try right away:
Quick Spring Cleaning Ideas for Kids
- Give toys a “bath” in soapy water
- Match socks or sort laundry by color
- Wipe low surfaces like baseboards or cabinets
- Use a dusting wand for easy dusting
- Hold a “pick-up party” with music and a timer
- Have kids help water plants or tidy the garden
- Let kids shine shoes at a simple shoe station
- Clean windows together with a spray bottle and cloth
- Wash the car as a family with sponges and buckets
- Sort silverware into drawers (supervised)
- Tidy stuffed animals with a mini “spa” wipe-down
- Fold washcloths, towels, or simple clothing items
- Do a “crayon clean-up” on tables and chairs
- Peel hard-boiled eggs or prep simple foods
- Create flower bouquets from yard finds (Montessori-style)
As you get your kids involved in spring cleaning, using chore charts can make tasks even more fun and organized! Check out these Chore Chart Printables for Kids to help your little ones stay on track and enjoy their responsibilities.
Spring Cleaning Activities for Toddlers (Ages 2–3)
Toddlers love mimicking what grown-ups do—and spring cleaning is full of little tasks that make them feel capable and involved.
Sensory-Friendly Cleaning Fun
Toy Bath
Fill a bin with warm, soapy water and let toddlers scrub their favorite plastic toys. Rinse with clean water and lay on a towel to dry.
Stuffed Animal Spa
Give little ones a damp cloth to gently “bathe” their stuffed animals.
Crayon Clean-Up
Show them how to wipe crayon marks off a play table or chair with a damp cloth.
Make these spring cleaning activities even more engaging by pairing them with our collection of motivational chore chart printables to track progress and celebrate accomplishments.
Simple Sorting & Matching
Sock Matching
Turn laundry into a matching game. Toddlers can pair socks or sort by color.
Sorting Silverware
Let them sort clean spoons and forks into separate sections of the drawer (skip the knives).
Easy Wiping & Dusting Jobs
Wipe & Shine
Hand them a safe damp cloth to wipe lower surfaces like baseboards or cabinet fronts.
Magic Dusting
Give them a dusting wand and let them “make the dust disappear.”
Movement-Based Clean-Up Games
Pick-Up Party
Set a two-minute timer, turn up the music, and clean up toys together.
Pillow Fluffing
Let them fluff pillows and arrange cushions on the couch.
Spring Cleaning Activities for Preschool & Early Elementary (Ages 4–7)
Kids this age love hands-on tasks and often enjoy helping when it feels like a game.
Hands-On Cleaning Helpers
Window Washing
Give them a spray bottle of water and a cloth. Let them wipe, then decorate the clean window with artwork if attention fades.
Shoe-Shining Station
Set up brushes, a soft cloth, and child-safe polish. Kids can help clean sneakers or dress shoes.
Creative Springtime Tasks
Create Flower Bouquets
Let kids gather dandelions, twigs, or yard flowers. Arrange in small jars for a bright spring display.
Plant Watering Helper
Give them a small watering can to help hydrate indoor or outdoor plants.
Easy Food Prep
Kitchen Prep Jobs
Peel hard-boiled eggs, slice bananas with a child-safe knife, or sprinkle seasoning. These tasks build fine motor skills and independence.
Laundry & Organization Skills
Folding Fun
Let kids fold washcloths, towels, or simple clothing items.
Sort Laundry
Have them sort clothes by color or type before washing.
If you have more than one child, check out these Chore Charts for Multiple Kids to keep everyone on task. And for younger children, these Chore Charts for Five Year Olds are perfect for introducing them to age-appropriate responsibilities.
Spring Cleaning Activities for Older Kids (Ages 8+)
Older kids can take on bigger projects that give them ownership and pride.
Car Cleaning & Outdoor Chores
Wash the Car Together
Put on music and let kids vacuum, wipe surfaces, scrub wheels, and rinse suds.
Garden Helpers
Let them weed, sweep the patio, or help tidy garden beds.
More Independent Household Jobs
Decluttering Stations
Have them clear out drawers, sort old papers, or tidy their craft supplies.
Organize Books or Toys
Let them arrange items by category, color, or size.
Gardening & Nature Tasks
Two-of-a-Kind Nature Search
Have kids find two of everything—two leaves, two rocks, two flowers—and use them in a simple collage.
More Fun Spring Cleaning Ideas for Families
Windows That Sparkle
Kids love using spray bottles—supervised, of course. Wipe together and enjoy the sunshine pouring in.
Shoe-Shining Station
Create a little spot with rags and polish and show kids how to clean and buff shoes.
Beaming Homemade Bouquets
Gather a few outdoor flowers or greenery and brighten the kitchen table.
Folding Parties
Turn folding laundry into a family challenge or race.
Safe Waste Disposal Reminder
Note: While you’re decluttering, don’t forget to dispose of hazardous waste properly! It helps keep your home and waterways safe for kids and families.
Final Thoughts
Spring cleaning becomes a lot more meaningful (and much less overwhelming!) when kids feel involved. Whether they’re wiping cabinets, giving toys a bath, washing the car, or helping in the garden, these simple activities turn chores into connection and confidence-building moments.
Try a few of these kid-friendly ideas this season, and enjoy a cleaner—and happier—home together.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
