When my children were little, they loved to march, so I made the most of it! We marched at bedtime, cleanup time, and just about every time in between. It was a great idea for how to get kids to do chores, and I vividly remember using it during our pretend school, before they started real school.
I’d let the kids take turns as leader, and they’d march us around the playroom reciting our “lesson” for the day. “The colors of the rainbow are Roy G. Biv! March, march! March, march!” They were so cute and, because of the marching, so compliant. Here’s the reason why, plus 5 marches that will make life at home easier and more fun!
Why Marching Helps Get Kids to Do Chores and Cooperate
As you get your kids into a marching routine, you’ll notice something pretty amazing happening—they’ll actually do what you want them to do without pushback. Why? Because they’ll believe they have an important role in the process and are not just on the receiving end of doing what they’re told. Before you start marching with your kids, do some silly, exaggerated marching yourself to get them excited about it. Once you make marching a part of your routine, your kids will see that doing what Mommy asks them to do can actually be fun.
1. Meal March
At mealtime, use marching to get hands washed and bodies in seats. Announce: “Meal march!” They start marching and say: “Time to eat! What a treat! Wash my hands, not my feet!” Once they’ve washed their hands, the march continues. “March! March! To the beat. Here I am, in my seat!” They can repeat the first part until they are actually in their chair or high chair.
2. Cleanup March
This is how you get kids to do chores, minus the whining! Announce: “Cleanup march!” Have them march in place for 10 beats while they count (good practice for
counting). Then, they march around the room as they pick up toys. “Clean up! Clean up! March! March! March!” Next, they march to their toy box or toy shelves. As they put the toys away, they say, “Yay! Yay! Look at me! March! March! One, two, three!” You get to watch, clap, and cheer them on. For older kids, try our Printable Chore Cards.
3. Car March
Car March, Minivan March, Truck March. Match the march to the vehicle you want your kids to head to. For this one, they march and chant “March!” as they take each step, all the way to their car seat. Once they’re in their seat waiting to be strapped in, they get to yell, “I did it!” You can also have them make an engine sound or a “beep, beep!”
4. School March
Let marching help you on school mornings. Have the school march begin at a certain time. To participate in the school march, breakfast must be eaten and dishes cleared away, school supplies must be packed and ready to go, and shoes must be on. At the appointed time, say, “March in three, two, one!” Then everyone yells, “Let’s go!” as the march begins on the way to the car. “Left! Right! Left! Right! This day will be out of sight!”
5. Silent March
There are times when you need quieter marches: leaving the library, walking into church late, walking into the doctor’s office. Kids love the challenge of being quiet as a mouse. You could even call this a Mouse March. Show your kids how to tiptoe march and mouth “march, march” in absolute silence. If you don’t want a lot of noise during chore time or cleanup time, you can call for a silent march then, too.
What other marches can you come up with? Send us a video of your ideas!
