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The other day I was pulling a large load of laundry out of the dryer at the same time my boys began to argue about whose turn it was to get to jump on our small indoor trampoline.
As the fussing escalated along with my blood pressure, I got an idea!
Holding the big basket of freshly washed clothes against my hip, I told the boys that we were going to play a game that would help them each get turns jumping on the trampoline AND help us get some chores done.
They were skeptical at first because CHORES, but they stuck it out and, I am proud to report, were glad for it.
We took a minute to sort the clothes into piles of Noah’s shorts, shirts, and socks, and Jethro’s shorts, shirts, socks, etc. Note – I have more or less given up on folding their clothes perfectly because it all turns to mush once it’s in their drawers anyway. One less thing to do! Plus, the speed of this game does not lend itself to neat drawers, so either stop reading this post and carry on being awesome at neat drawers, or embrace the free life of not caring! 🙂
Once the boys’ clothes were piled, I explained that one boy would get to jump on the trampoline while the other raced to put a pile of clothes away.
As soon as the runner returned, he got to take a turn on the trampoline while the jumper hopped off, grabbed his pile, and raced to put his clothes away.
When he got back, he would get to jump again and the jumper would get to run again.
Repeat and repeat until all of the clothes are put away and you don’t have any more behavior issues because everyone is so exhausted from running and jumping. 😉
That’s it!
You can find a good quality, inexpensive indoor trampoline HERE
Obviously this game can be played by boys AND girls, I just have boys and know that this particular gender seems to need a lot of physical activity to survive.
I would love to know if your kids play this game and how it goes!
Joyfully,
Julie 🙂
Love this idea! What a fun way to put clothes away. When I was taking care of 2 elementary age girls one summer, I taught them to play dirty clothes freethrow. Take one load of dirty laundry. Mark a freethrow line 3-5′ from the washing machine. Each contestant selects a piece of clothing and stands behind the freethrow line to “shoot” the dirty clothes item into the open washing machine. Each item that lands in the washing machine is a point. Extra points for shooting backwards or under the leg. Take turns. Highest score wins. Winner gets to do the “grown up” part (put in the detergent and start the machine) and gets to choose the next fun activity.
This is SO awesome! I LOVE it! 🙂
Now, how to do something similar withOUT a trampoline. Hmm…
Love you and your fun ideas!
I’m confused – you say you have given up on neatly folding their clothes. You deserve more credit. I think they are fine! With the exception of blouses, that is what all MY clothes look like when they are put away. Maybe it’s just because I dislike doing laundry…