12 fun activities to get your family moving

Duster Scavenger Hunt
Suitable for: Ages five and up
(Note: My mother used to do this for my sister and me when we were kids. It was the only way we would do a good job of dusting. The key here is that you need to know your child; kids need to be capable of dusting carefully and handling fragile objects for this game. If you don't want your children near Grandma Tillie's antique tea set, don't play the game anywhere near it. But since all kids need to learn how to clean house anyway, have them learn by tidying a more conducive environment first, such as their own playroom or bedrooms. And make sure they're supervised.)
You'll need: One duster per person; an assortment of small "treasures," such as coins, stickers, pencil toppers or plastic spiders
Method:
1. Before you begin, hide the treasures around the rooms you will use for your scavenger hunt. Hide some items in sneaky places, such as behind photographs and under lamps. Place others in more obvious locations, such as on the mantelpiece or on the coffee table.
2. Tell your dusters that the treasures are finders-keepers and that the best dusters will find the most treasures. Explain how to dust efficiently and effectively, starting from high objects (put treasures up there) and working your way down to the lowest levels. Show the hunters how to pick up all objects carefully and dust underneath and around them.
3. Set the dusters free. Supervise younger children and less experienced dusters, especially if you have assigned them a room with breakables.
4. Keep them at it until all of the treasures are found or they have finished dusting the designated area. Celebrate a job well done by oohing and aahing over each of the treasures.

Laundry Fold-up
Suitable for: Ages five and up
You'll need: A hamper or basket; a large pile of clean unfolded laundry
Method:
1. Place all the laundry in the hamper or basket in the centre of the room. Arrange all players around the basket, each standing about 0.6 metres away.
2. At the call of "Go!" each player steps forward to the basket and squats or lunges to pull a piece of clothing from it.
3. Laundry item in hand, step back to your "place."
4. While standing, neatly fold the item. Place the finished item nearby to form a neat stack.
5. Repeat until all the items in the basket are folded.
6. Award points for the largest stack of folded laundry, the neatest stack of folded laundry or the fastest stacker.
7. Add extra points for large or difficult items to fold.
8. Give out a simple prize for each category of points collected. You can also hide prizes -- one for each folder -- at the bottom of the laundry basket for all to enjoy.

Tidy the Crocodile Pit
Suitable for: Ages five and up
You'll need: A messy family room; a timer or watch with a second hand (optional)
Method:
1. The crocodiles are on the loose from the zoo! Scatter a few soft objects, such as sofa cushions, around the room (or let the kids do this) to represent the crocodiles.
2. Have kids remove the "crocodile food" (stray objects, clutter) that has accumulated around the room. By putting the food away, it will encourage the crocodiles to go home.
3. Remember, cleaner-uppers must not step on the crocodiles or they might get eaten!
4. Time how long it takes to get the room tidy. Keep a record and have kids race against the previous score each time the crocodiles show up.