How I Turned Chores into Fun Activities for Kids with ADHD

As a parent of a child with ADHD, I’ve often found myself on a quest to make our daily lives a bit easier, for both of us. One of the toughest hurdles was getting my child to tackle chores. Simple tasks like putting away toys, setting the table, or folding laundry usually ended in either frustration or complete avoidance. That’s when I decided to shift my perspective and view these chores not as burdens, but as chances for fun. With a sprinkle of creativity and a good dose of patience, I started turning these tasks into enjoyable and engaging activities for kids with ADHD. If you’re navigating similar challenges, I hope my experience gives you ideas and inspiration.

Understanding the ADHD Brain

Before I get into the activities, I want to acknowledge something important. Kids with ADHD aren’t lazy or defiant. Their brains just work differently. They often struggle with executive functioning, which includes things like planning, staying on task, and regulating impulses. Traditional routines don’t always work for them. That’s why reframing chores as games or interactive challenges can make a world of difference.

Start Small and Make It Visual

One thing that helped me from the start was using visual cues. Instead of just saying “clean up your room,” I wrote down each small step with pictures: “Pick up the clothes,” “Put books on the shelf,” “Put toys in the box.” I turned it into a checklist challenge. Every time my child completed a task, they got to check it off like a mini victory. This made the activity feel less overwhelming and more rewarding.

Turning Chores into Games

Here are a few examples of how I turned everyday chores into fun and purposeful activities for kids with ADHD:

1. The Laundry Toss Challenge 

Folding laundry was one of our least favorite tasks. So we turned it into a game. My child would toss socks into a basket from a short distance—earning points for each successful shot. After a few rounds, they would match and fold the pairs. It quickly became one of our favorite indoor activities for ADHD child playtime. It worked both as a chore and a motor-skill builder.

2. Time It and Beat

It For tasks like making the bed or wiping the table, I used a timer. We would set a countdown and see if we could beat the previous best time. This small tweak added a sense of urgency and fun. It tapped into my child’s competitive side, which many ADHD kids respond well to.

3. Color Sorting for Cleanup

During toy cleanup, we made it a color game. I would call out a color, and my child had to find and put away all the toys of that color before I called the next one. This worked especially well for maintaining focus, reducing distractions, and making cleanup fun instead of stressful.

4. Dance and Do 

We made a cleaning playlist and did mini dance breaks between chores. For every task completed, we got to do a short silly dance or play a favorite song. It became a positive routine that turned boring moments into bonding time.

Using Indoor Activities to Build Structure

Many parents are on the lookout for indoor activities that can keep their ADHD kids engaged while also helping them grow. That’s where I discovered something truly special. By adding a bit of structure to our indoor activities, I started to see my child's focus and ability to follow directions gradually getting better. Sure, not every day is a home run, but the progress is definitely there!

When to Use Digital Support

There were definitely days when my motivation just tanked, and even my favorite games couldn’t pull me out of it. That’s when I found the ChomChom Tech app to be a real lifesaver. With its interactive games designed by therapists and support for emotional regulation, it struck a great balance between screen time and learning. For instance, we’d tackle a household chore and then reward ourselves by playing one of the executive skill games on the app. It really helped create a nice rhythm between getting some physical activity in and sharpening our mental focus.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Making chores enjoyable for kids with ADHD isn’t about tricking them into doing work; it’s about connecting with them on their level. It’s recognizing that their minds thrive on movement, stimulation, and instant feedback. When we offer that, even the most mundane household tasks can turn into opportunities for learning and bonding. 

Not every approach will hit the mark on the first try. But if we keep experimenting, remain patient, and focus on the joy of tackling things together, the outcomes can be truly rewarding.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a parent on the lookout for engaging activities for kids with ADHD, why not turn chores into fun games? You can use visual aids, play some music, set a timer for challenges, or celebrate each little victory. Not only will you get some help around the house, but you’ll also boost your child’s confidence, focus, and independence. 

And on those days when you could use a little extra support, tools like ChomChom Tech’s interactive platform provide structured indoor activities that promote emotional growth and executive function for children with ADHD. Remember, you don’t have to tackle everything on your own—and neither does your child. 

Let’s make every small task an opportunity for growth!