How can you make drying dishes fun for a 4 year old?

Answer 1

First off DO NOT offer money. Lets think about this for a second.......... couple of years from now you want junior to take out the trash, clean his/her room, clean the litter box or walk the dog. WELL pony up the bucks because you have set the precedent of payment for household chores. Chores are just that CHORES they are things that we don't have to like but have to do. Having 2 boys aged 14 and 11 I never have to pay them and rarely have to ask them to do something. Explain that this is something that families have to do and that they can help, play up the big boy/girl angle. Making it a fun time will not hurt either have seen answers that said make it educational (find the blue bowl) or fun (have a race) these are excellent options.

Answer 2

Well, you make it into a game. For example, see who can dry the dishes the fastest. But, purposly lose. This will want them to dry the dishes every night. But be careful when a four year old is handling a glass dish! Always be around them and supervise.

Answer 3

I hated drying dishes when I was growing up, and I still hate it. If you happen to find something to make me like it, let me know. I cannot imagine a more boring chore that drying the dishes. Even if I had been given pennies for every thing I dried, I still wouldn't have wanted to do it.

Answer 4

Bet him/her that they can't dry faster than you can wash, or just tell them in which order to go, like, "Can you find a blue bowl? How about a red plate? Can you wash all the white dishes?" Put on a kid's cd and see how many he/she can dry by the end of a song, etc. Usually making it a race of some sort takes the focus off the chore.

Answer 5

u can make drying dishes fun 4 your 4 year by singing a fun dish washing song. it can probable work.u never know

Answer 6

First you have to make it seem like you are enjoying washing the dishes so that it will be something that they might want to join in... You could also try serving dessert after the dinner dishes are washed. You combine that with making it a game or a race and you might be able to get them enthralled for at least a little while. Dont count on it lasting.

Answer 7

Why is your 4 year old drying dishes? I believe the best way to motivate your children to do something is to do it yourself. And it also helps to show a positive attitude about whatever you are doing.

Answer 8

Go Out and Buy Paper Plates,Plastic Cups and Plastic Cutlery...
Your 4 yr. Old will have a blast throwing them Away!! I know i would!! Just Kiddin...Good Luck on that one! Im still trying to get my wife to Have Fun Washing Dishes....lol

Answer 9

I hope you only let him or her dry plastic or non breakable items.

Make it a game to get all the water out of the dish or cup. Maybe you could make up a song to sing to pass the time.

Answer 10

We always made it into a game. We would see who could make the largest bubbles or who could clean a glass the quickest. Sometimes we would add in baking sode and vinegar (great for stuck-on problems) and make a volcano in the sink.

We also put a sticker on one of the plates. Whoever cleans that plate gets to move their chore sticker up one. We have a horse race going and with each chore they complete or however we deem it to be, they move their horse up one space. Once the horse crosses the finish line, we do something fun together like riding horses.