Washing and cleaning play for kids
Many children love splashing, scrubbing and wiping, and a grown-up with a bucket and a few cloths has everything needed. Here are six gentle ideas for a verandah, a bathroom floor, a courtyard or a balcony. Each one lists an age hint, what to bring, simple steps and a notice question to talk about. Plain water does the work, and no special products are needed.
Safety first
A grown-up stays with the children for the whole activity, and never leaves a child alone near a tub or bucket of water, even a shallow one. Empty the water when you finish. Wash hands well with soap afterwards, and dry them. Water, soap and cleaning things never go into mouths, and small items such as buttons or bottle tops should be kept away from children who still put things in their mouths. Use plain water, cloths and a child-size brush only. Keep bleach, floor cleaner, sprays, powders and every other cleaning chemical locked away, and never mix products. Wipe up spills quickly so nobody slips, and choose unbreakable items only. Age hints are only a guide, so you know your child best.
1. Toy bath
Age hint: 3 and up.
Bring: a shallow tub, a few plastic toys, a soft cloth or sponge, a towel and a dish for drying.
- Lay the towel down, put the tub on it and add a little water. A grown-up stays beside the tub.
- Choose a toy and give it a gentle wash with the cloth.
- Rinse it in the water and dry it with the towel.
- Line the clean toys up on the dish to finish drying.
Notice: What happens to the water as more toys go in?
2. Doll and soft-toy laundry
Age hint: 4 and up.
Bring: small doll clothes or handkerchiefs, a bowl of water, a string or low line, and clothes pegs.
- Dip each small cloth in the bowl and squeeze it gently.
- Rub it between your hands, then squeeze again.
- A grown-up helps hang the cloths on the line with pegs.
- Check them later to see if they are still wet.
Notice: Which cloth feels drier, and where is the sun or breeze?
3. Window and mirror wiping
Age hint: 4 and up.
Bring: a damp cloth, a dry cloth and a window that the child can reach from the floor (or an unbreakable mirror).
- Wipe a big wavy line on the glass with the damp cloth.
- Draw a shape or a letter in the wet patch with a finger.
- Watch it fade, then wipe the glass dry with the other cloth.
- Try a circle, then a zigzag, then your name.
Notice: Which shape stayed the longest?
4. Polish steel bowls
Age hint: 3 and up.
Bring: two or three unbreakable steel bowls or tin trays with no sharp edges, a soft dry cloth and a mat to work on.
- Sit on the floor with the bowls on the mat and a grown-up beside you.
- Hold the cloth in your palm and rub one bowl in slow circles.
- Breathe a little warm air onto the bowl, then rub the misty patch clear.
- Line up the bowls and compare which one shines most.
Notice: Can you see your face in the bowl, and does it look different upside down?
5. Sweep a leaf pile
Age hint: 4 and up.
Bring: a child-size brush and dustpan, dry fallen leaves, a basket and shoes for everyone, on a flat, clear patch of yard or balcony.
- Make a loose pile of dry leaves on the ground.
- Hold the brush with both hands and sweep the leaves towards the dustpan.
- A grown-up holds the dustpan while you tip the leaves into the basket.
- Spread them out and sweep again if you like.
Notice: Which leaves swept easily, and which ones stuck or blew away? Wash hands afterwards, and keep leaves out of mouths.
6. Tidy-up race
Age hint: 4 and up.
Bring: two baskets and a pile of toys, books or cushions.
- Decide on a rule, such as soft things in one basket and hard things in the other.
- Play a favourite song or count aloud together.
- Carry one thing at a time, and walk rather than run.
- Stop when the song ends and look at the clear floor.
Notice: What was easy to sort, and what was a tricky one?
More to do on Rangooo
Splash about with water play activities for kids, try small real jobs in helping at home jobs for kids, blow some bubble play for kids, get messy outdoors with sand and mud play for kids, act out chores with pretend play ideas, sort things together with sorting and collecting games, browse more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.
Questions
What age is washing and cleaning play for?
These ideas suit most children from about three to eight, with a grown-up close by the whole time. Toddlers can join the simplest ones, such as the toy bath, if nothing small enough to swallow is within reach.
Do we need soap or cleaning products?
No. Plain water, cloths and a small brush are enough for every idea here, so there is nothing to buy. Please keep all cleaning products, sprays and powders out of play, and never mix them.
How do we keep the mess small?
Play on a washable floor or outdoors, put a towel under the tub, and use shallow water. Keep a dry cloth nearby and wipe up spills straight away so nobody slips.
Can these count as helping at home?
Yes, if your family likes that idea. Toy washing and leaf sweeping are real small jobs, and children can enjoy doing them. Keep it light and stop when interest fades.
These are our own simple ideas. Homes, weather and children differ, so adapt each game to your own setting. Always supervise young children around water. If you spot a mistake, please tell us and we will fix it.