What are ways to make chores or daily tasks feel like screen-free fun for my child? 

Parenting Perspective 

When chores feel like a monotonous burden, children will naturally gravitate towards the instant excitement that screens provide. The key is to reframe these everyday tasks, infusing them with a sense of play, connection, and purpose so they become rewarding in their own right. 

Frame the Task as a Playful Game 

You can transform almost any chore into a game. Add a playful challenge, such as timing how fast they can match socks into pairs, or seeing how many toys they can put away before a song finishes. The focus should be on light-hearted fun, not just on speed or efficiency. This simple shift in perspective can change their entire attitude towards helping. 

Add a Soundtrack of Stories or Music 

A simple soundtrack can completely change the atmosphere. Play some upbeat nasheeds, a gentle Quran recitation, or an engaging audio story in the background while you work on tasks together. The rhythm and sound can make the work feel less like a duty and more like a pleasant part of the day, turning a mundane task into an auditory adventure. 

Assign Them a ‘Special’ Role 

Children love to feel important and capable. You can foster this by assigning them creative and official-sounding titles for their tasks, such as ‘Chief Plant Waterer’ or ‘Official Laundry Inspector’. Giving them a special responsibility that belongs only to them provides a sense of ownership and pride in their contribution to the family. 

Make It a Moment of Connection 

Whenever possible, do the task alongside your child, especially when they are first learning. This shared effort turns a chore from a lonely obligation into a moment of connection. Children often value the time spent with you far more than they dislike the task itself, and your presence and encouragement can make all the difference. 

By reframing chores as opportunities for creativity and teamwork, you show your child that a fulfilling life without screens can still be full of satisfying and enjoyable activities. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that even the most simple and routine daily actions can be transformed into acts of worship when they are performed with the right intention (niyyah). 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zalzalah (99), Verse 7: 

‘Thus, everyone’s actions equivalent to the measurement of an atom that is good shall be observed by them (on the Day of judgement)…’ 

This powerful verse reminds us that no effort, however small it may seem, is ever overlooked by Allah when it is done with sincerity. This includes the small, consistent efforts of contributing to the family home. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6464, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are few.’ 

This hadith teaches us that building consistent, positive habits even in something as simple as daily chores is a spiritually rewarding act. By helping your child approach their daily tasks with a sense of joy and purpose, you are nurturing in them the qualities of responsibility, gratitude, and consistency that will serve them in both their worldly life and their journey towards Allah.