How to Turn Autumn Chores into Fun Family Activities for Kids

It doesn’t matter if your family lives in a tiny home or a large house; every autumn, there are going to be some chores that the parents need to do. But depending on the age of your child, why not get them involved too? As a parent, you know winter isn’t far behind, and before it arrives, there’s a lot to be done.

Including kids in these tasks not only helps them check things off faster but also teaches them valuable skills in responsibility and teamwork. But the real trick to making these autumn chores kid-friendly is adding a dash of fun.

Honestly, it’s hard to teach a child responsibility if they feel like there isn’t something in it for them. So that’s why you need to try and do what you can to get them interested. But where can you even start? Well, here’s exactly what you need to do!

Leaf Raking (and Some Leaf Jumping) to Keep Them Engaged

Now, this is probably the most classic outdoor chore for a child, and well, this is the biggest chore that usually needs to be done once fall hits anyway. Autumn leaves covering the yard are a seasonal highlight, but they’re also a sign that raking is needed. While this might be routine for adults, it’s a prime opportunity for kids to join in.

Get Them Some Toys

Usually, there are kid-friendly rakes and wheelbarrows out there, and you can find them in the toy section. But getting this for them is actually one of the first steps to turning a lead clean-up into an engaging activity.

But overall, a kid-sized rake is the first step in turning leaf cleanup into an engaging activity. Ideally, your kid can rake sections of the yard while you tackle the tougher areas, perhaps even using a leaf vacuum (don’t let your kid play with this or even around this) to clear out those tricky spots around trees and fences.

But of course, as they create their piles, the fun begins—few things are as irresistible to a kid as a big leaf pile. When they’ve finished raking, let them jump in and scatter those leaves, giving them a satisfying reward for their efforts. Sure, it means you both need to clean it up again, but at the same time, this is one of those childhood memories that you really shouldn’t take away either.

Make It a Game

Okay, the toys was one way to make it a game, but there are other ways too, such as giving them specific “missions,” like gathering leaves into one big pile or seeing who can rake the most leaves within a set time, makes the work feel like a game. They’ll have a blast collecting and rearranging leaves while picking up a sense of accomplishment along the way.

Water Play with Pressure Washing (But the Kid-Safe Way)

Okay, now, this one might sound a little weird, but there’s a clear explanation for it! So, pressure washing can be fascinating to kids, but it’s a tool best reserved for adult hands. So, they really shouldn’t hold the pressure washer, and don’t let them get in front of it either. However, you should allow them to just watch.

That said, there are plenty of ways to get kids involved in this cleaning process. For example, you could look into setting up a mini scrub station that lets them mimic the pressure-washing fun while staying safe. With a bucket of soapy water, sponges, and smaller items like plant pots or garden tools, kids can help with a “cleaning station.”

They’ll enjoy scrubbing away dirt and grime, practicing hand-eye coordination, and a sense of responsibility for keeping outdoor items in good shape. You could even let them handle a water hose, but not on full blast.

Creating the “Mini Cleaning Station”

So, just above what was mentioned, where do you start? Well, you’ll need to designate a small area where kids can gather items that need scrubbing. They can take pride in cleaning up garden tools, plant pots, and even outdoor toys. If you want, you can add a dash of dish soap to the water, give them sponges or old toothbrushes, and they’ll feel like they’re helping with the “big job” of cleaning the yard.

Some kids might like this, other kids might hate this one, so its hard to say. Plus, the temperature outside also matters because you don’t want them feeling cold.

Fun with the Garden Hose

If you have some older kids, then you can get them to play with their water hose. They can wash down the patio, sidewalk, or outdoor furniture, giving them the chance to aim and spray just like the grown-ups with a power washer. This task lets them see how their efforts make surfaces clean again while staying safe with less pressure.

Planting Spring Bulbs

You have to keep in mind that autumn is prime time for planting spring bulbs, and tulips offer an excellent chance for kids to connect with gardening in a meaningful way. But unlike summer flowers, these do take a while, but they’re not as demanding as seeds, so they are a lot easier for kids to plant.

So, you’re going to want to show them how to dig the right-sized hole and place the bulb and help them understand planting basics while looking forward to the blooms they’ll see in spring. You can usually buy kid-friendly hand shovels, but it’s best to just put soil in a pot for them.

Pulling Weeds

Weeding may seem like a minor task, but in autumn, it’s a great way to keep gardens prepped for winter. Kids can easily tackle small weeds and feel a sense of accomplishment with each one they pull. But for younger children, it’s really going to help if you try to frame it as a “weed treasure hunt” since this gives them a clear goal and adds a sense of adventure.

They can carry a small bucket, pulling weeds and collecting their finds to help “rescue” the garden plants.