How not to get locked in

Use some Scotch tape if you want to prevent small children from accidentally locking themselves in a room or asking for your help whenever they need to open a closed door. Kids love to slam doors, don’t they?

How not to spill bubble solution

Every parent has encountered this issue at some point. On the one hand, your child is enthralled by the prospect of catching bubbles. On the other hand, he wants to grip the soapy liquid bottle and blow the bubbles himself. Do you think it’s a difficult assignment for one little guy? As a result, the spilled bubble solution makes the floor extremely slippery, and your youngster is irritated about the whole situation. Try this simple trick: use tape to secure the container to the chair. This way, your child will be able to play with his new stylish no-spill bubble tumbler.

How to prevent those ice cream stains

Ice cream won’t ruin your child’s clothes if you use a cupcake case as a popsicle drip-catcher.

How to hold a pen correctly

If you want your children to learn how to hold a pen or pencil correctly, try using a napkin: tell them that they have to hide it under their fourth and fifth fingers.

How to use the right amount of toilet paper

Colorful “stop” arrows will tell your kid how much paper they need.

How to get them to brush their teeth for two minutes

It’s difficult for children, and sometimes even for grown-ups, to know if they’ve spent enough time brushing their teeth. An hourglass, set for 2-3 minutes, is a perfect solution for you and your child. Another smart idea is to find a children’s song that lasts for at least 2 minutes and turn it on every time your kid brushes their teeth.

How to tell which shoe goes on which foot

Kids often have trouble telling left from right, and so they mix up their shoes. Just place half a sticker in each shoe. Your little one can match up the sticker and get their shoes on the correct feet.

How not to mix up the keys

If you trust your child with the keys, try this trick. Paint them in different colors, and your kid will easily memorize which key opens which door.

How to turn housework into a fun game

Your child will gladly do the sweeping if you turn the whole process into a game. Use some colorful Scotch tape to make a square on the floor, and tell him that his special mission is to score a goal.

Chores Help Kids Succeed

Chores may appear to be tedious or uninteresting, but consider this: “Children who do chores may have higher self-esteem, be more responsible, and be better prepared to deal with frustration, hardship, and delayed satisfaction.” According to the American Association of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, “these skills can lead to higher success in school, job, and relationships.” We’ve prepared a list of age-appropriate tasks for kids ages 2 to 16 based on this advice and other psychological research. These life skills, when combined with love and open communication, can bring numerous benefits, including a cheerful mood and a spirit of community service.

Best for 2 to 3 Years: Tidy Toys

Once your children are showing the developmental benchmarks of a toddler—standing on tiptoe, climbing up and down furniture—they are probably ready for light chores. One of the easiest ways to instill tidiness and conscientiousness? Encourage your tots to pick up their toys after playtime. Buy a toy chest for cleanup time or install open shelves that are low to the ground to house board books, blocks, and more.

Best for 2 to 3 Years: Hang Up Clothes

You may notice your 2- or 3-year-old beginning to copy your every move. This mirroring behavior can be helpful in many situations. For example, by showing your child how you put away your clothes every night, you can foster the same desire in them. Install a child-level clothing rod in the closet of your kid’s room or low hooks on the back of the door, so little ones can easily hang up their clothes. If that’s too difficult, start easy and fun by having them fold undies and match up socks and roll them into balls.

Best for 2 to 3 Years: Unbag Groceries

Another task that is appropriate for 2- to 3-year-olds is helping to unbag groceries. While they may not yet know where everything goes—or be able to reach higher shelves and cupboards—you can tailor the environment to make it easier for them to participate. Place a low table within reach for easy unloading, or ask your child to hand you items one by one. Monitor carefully, but also give kids the freedom to pitch in.

Best for 3 to 5 Years: Make Beds

Tidying up the bed every morning is a great habit that 3- to 5-year-olds can develop. Show them how to pull up and smooth out the flat sheet, the blanket, and bedspread, then have them place the pillow in position at the head of the bed. Make the process easier for them by situating the bed away from the walls and keeping bed clutter (stuffed animals, pillows, spare blankets) to a minimum. Don’t aim for perfection; let them own the task. Before you know it, with a little instruction, you’ll have them making perfect hospital corners.

Best for 5 to 8 Years: Fold Laundry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adopting positive discipline with children aged 5 to 8. “Any talk of what not to do should be followed by a discussion of what to do instead.” Folding laundry, for example, can naturally and gently inculcate this discipline. Begin by having your children fold their own laundry and showing them how to properly care for various pieces of clothing. Your child may eventually take over the chore of laundry-folder without prodding.

Best for 5 to 8 Years: Wipe Counters

Many commercial cleaning products can be dangerous or toxic if used improperly, and most children don’t yet have the understanding to take necessary precautions. But they can safely use a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar, which can be just as effective for cleaning many household surfaces, including some kitchen counters. As an alternative, select a nontoxic commercial all-purpose cleaning spray and show your child how to use the product safely with a paper towel or clean rag. Chat with your child about product safety too, as 5- to 8-year-olds are ready for these life lessons, although they may not be ready to practice them without supervision.

Best for 5 to 8 Years: Sweep Floors

Forget the vacuum and leaf blower. An old-fashioned broom is still an excellent cleaning tool, for both indoor and outdoor use. A child-size broom is even better, especially one made of all-natural, nontoxic, sustainable wood. Kids love to use their imaginations, and nothing is better than playing pretend while doing chores. So, let your kiddo channel their inner Cinderella and sweep up the kitchen, or turn on some music and let the cleaning games commence!

Best for 5 to 8 Years: Pack Lunches

You may dread waking up at 6 a.m. to pack lunches, but with a little strategic planning and communication, your 7- or 8-year-olds can accomplish this job themselves. Learning how to pack lunches is not only a lesson in self-sufficiency, it’s Good Nutrition 101. There are plenty of online resources to help you out, including Kid’s Healthy Eating Plate from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. This visual guide to good eating and exercise can help build in healthy habits from the start.

Best for 5 to 8 Years: Take Out the Trash

It’s the chore we love to hate, but with these trash day hacks, your kids will be less likely to complain. For instance, line the bin with newspaper to sop up icky spills, and keep extra bags nearby (or in the bottom of the can, if it doesn’t get a lot of wet garbage) for easy replacement. A lesson you can teach in tandem is respect for our garbage men and women. Encourage your child at least once a year to write a letter of thanks to your neighborhood waste disposal and recycling teams. A little love goes a long way.

Best for 8 to 12 Years: Clean Bathroom

Kids may complain at first, but cleaning the bathroom can be rewarding. Even an attitudinal tween appreciates gazing into a streak-free mirror and washing up in a sink that isn’t spotted with globs of dried toothpaste. Be mindful of the type of cleaning products they will be using, especially if heavy-duty chemicals like ammonia or bleach are in your supply closet. Show your school-age child how to clean safely (rubber gloves, ventilation), and choose mild, nontoxic cleaners. Kids also love wacky ideas, so show them a few bathroom cleaning hacks to get their elbows greased and curiosity engaged.

Best for 8 to 12 Years: Plant Flowers

Your own backyard is the perfect classroom for learning about nature firsthand. Complement your hands-on experiments with family-friendly resources, such as Kidsgardening.org, which offers free activities and ideas to cultivate your youngster’s green thumb. Explain the difference between annuals and perennials, then work together to figure out which types of flowers and vegetables will grow best in your region and soil.

Best for 8 to 12 Years: Organize Closets

Rather than assigning chores without discussion, talk with your children about the tasks they’d most like to contribute to the household. This becomes more possible as they get older and develop their own sense of self and service to others. Organizing linen closets and the pantry can be great jobs for children who enjoy computer games, repeated tasks, and predictability. Encourage them to take “before” and “after” photos, and praise their home makeover results.

Best for 13 to 16: Meal Prep

Sharing time in the kitchen need not be a chore at all. Cooking together is a great way to develop a good relationship with your children as well as with food. Cuisine can be an adventure, so brainstorm ideas for meals that tickle your kids’ taste buds and get them thinking about food in new ways. For example, if your child has a friend from another country, consider making a dish from their culture and learning the history and traditions that surround it.

Best for 16+: Run Errands

Handing your kid—ahem—young adult the keys to your car can be scary yet freeing. There are several steps you have to take in advance, including enrolling them in drivers’ ed and stressing the fact that cellphones and driving don’t mix. Once your kids have their license, however, local errands are great practice, and they can really help out a time-stressed parent. So, feel free to ask your teen to run to the grocery store or pick up a prescription.

Best for 16+: Help Neighbors

Helping others is a natural outgrowth of helping around the home. If your teen is interested in the outdoors, mowing lawns or other landscaping work may be a route to some extra college money. If your teen enjoys conversations, checking in on neighbors can encourage listening and connection, and could open up broader opportunities. Being neighborly is a good way to nurture both entrepreneurial abilities and a spirit of service.

Squash Marking

Do you have a pet that likes to mark her territory indoors? Try this. First, you’ll want to blot the soiled area and treat it with an enzyme-based cleaner to get to the root of the smell. Then, lightly mist with an all-natural spritz to deter repeat performances. We love this homemade eucalyptus mix. Simply combine one cup of warm water with 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and shake before using

Wash Those Toys

Let’s face it — dog breath is gross. Now imagine all the germs those slobbery chew toys are carrying. OK, now that you’re properly skeeved out — relax. Just toss soft toys into the washer with one tablespoon of baking soda, and toss the plastic or rubber toys into the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning. Just be sure to check for loose parts before returning them to the toy box. (If you have a sanitize setting on your washer and dishwasher, use it!)

Squeegee for Shedding

A fluffy coat is adorable on your pet, but when it starts showing up all over your rugs and carpets? Well, not so much. Simply pull a rubber squeegee across hairy carpets and rugs for a fast fix.

Holy Hairballs!

Cleaning a few too many hairballs these days? Keep some cat grass or catmint on hand. The fiber will do kitty’s digestive system good and, of course, she’ll love the extra burst of energy catnip gives.

Natural Supplements

Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to kitty’s food can also reduce shedding and hairballs by helping her maintain a digestive tract, skin and coat. But it’s always smart to check with your vet before supplementing your pet’s diet.

DIY All-Natural Room Deodorizer

Create your own natural deodorizing spritz for use on rugs and soft furnishings. Use it where pets love to laze around (hello, sofa!) or have accidents frequently. To make a 16-ounce bottle, mix 1/2 cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar into a bowl (it will get fizzy). Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, then add 12 drops of peppermint essential oil. Once the vinegar dissipates, you will only smell the fresh peppermint. Lightly spray the offending areas, then let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming.

Paws Off!

If you have a pet that lives to shred toilet paper, this tip is for you. For cats, add a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil inside the cardboard tube. For dogs, cinnamon or citrus-based essential oils (lemon, orange or lemongrass) will help ward off playful paws.

Nooks + Crannies

Whether it’s in the car or in the house, stubborn pet hair in tight spaces doesn’t have a chance against a damp, textured rubber glove. Create a small pile, then vacuum up the hair in a snap.

Clutter Control

Not unlike kids’ toys, if left unchecked your pet’s toys can quickly take over the entire house. Avoid the chaos with lidded storage. It’s easier to wrangle all those plush hedgehogs and squeaky bones when YOU are in control. Leave two toys out at a time, and rotate through the stash to keep your furry friend from getting bored with too many choices.

Get Outdoors

Another easy way to keep pet hair off your furniture and rugs is to brush your pets weekly and do it outdoors. They’ll love the bonding time and you’ll love less shedding indoors. Go with a grooming mitt or a fine-toothed comb for heavy shedders.

Easy-to-Wash Pet Beds

When you’re picking out that perfect bed for your fur baby, keep in mind that you really want one that can be tossed in the washing machine. For larger beds, make sure you can remove the cover for a quick and easy refresh. Your house will smell better, and the bed will likely last longer, too.

No Loose Litter

An easy way to keep kitty from trailing litter throughout the house is to create a landing pad outside the box. Make it cute by spray-painting a baking pan and cooling grid a fun color, then lining the pan with a pretty contact paper that’s easy to wipe clean.