5 Ways to Make Self-Care Fun (and NOT a Boring Chore)

Self-care without the whining? Yes, please! These five fun tricks will turn brushing, bathing, and skincare into the best part of your kid’s day. Get ready for giggles, bubbles, and a whole lot of clean fun!

Getting kids to take care of themselves can feel like trying to get a cat to take a bath. Nearly impossible, mildly dramatic, and sometimes just plain exhausting. They’d rather be building forts, chasing imaginary dragons, or launching into space on the living room couch than washing up or putting on lotion. But here’s the secret: self-care doesn’t have to be a battle—it can be an adventure!

With a little creativity (and a little Tikitoro magic), self-care can be something kids actually look forward to. If you’re ready to turn brushing, bathing, and skincare into something exciting, read on. Here’s the lowdown on how to make self-care a part of your child’s daily routine—without the struggle!

1. Make It a Game

Why should self-care feel like a snooze-fest when it can be an epic adventure?

• “Clean-Up Champion” Challenge – Every time your kid brushes their teeth, washes up, or lotions up, they earn points toward a fun reward (like extra story time, a dance party, or a legendary bubble bath!). Who will reach Self-Care Superstar status first?

• Beat the Timer! – Set a 90-second countdown and turn brushing into a race against time! Can they scrub those teeth before the buzzer goes off? Bonus points if they finish with a victory dance.

• Activate Superpowers! – Turn self-care into an exciting mission: Every superhero needs a clean face to unlock their powers! Washing up with Tikitoro Kids Refreshing Face Wash = instant glow-up + invincibility boost.

• Bath-Time = Best Time! – The tub isn’t just a tub—it’s a pirate ship, a mermaid lagoon, or a spaceship on a mission! (Just watch out for the Bubble Monster—it’s lurking and ready for a splash attack!

2. Let Them Be in Charge

Fact: Kids love being the boss. So why not let them take charge of their self-care?

• Power of Choice! – Instead of the usual “Time to put on lotion,” give them options: “Do you want to use the blue bottle or the white one?” (Spoiler alert: Tikitoro Kids Soothing Body Lotion wins every time.)
• Build a Self-Care Treasure Chest! – Fill a basket with fun stuff—body washes, face washes, fluffy towels—so they can pick their own bath-time adventure. 
• The Self-Care CEO! – Once a week, let them call the shots: Bubble bath or shower? Hair wash today or tomorrow? Rubber ducks or pirate ships in the tub? Giving them control means fewer battles, more giggles.

3. Make It a Family Affair!

Self-care is way more fun when it’s a team sport! When kids see their parents rocking a skincare routine, they’ll want in on the action, too. So why not turn self-care into a full-on family event?

• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall! – Stand in front of the mirror and wash your faces together. (Bonus points if you both make ridiculous bubble beards!) It’s also the perfect way to introduce them to Tikitoro Kids Refreshing Face Wash—because superheroes need clean, glowing skin.

• Self-Care Dance Party! – Who says putting on lotion has to be boring? Crank up the music, strike a pose, and turn moisturizing into a full-on dance battle! (Tikitoro Kids Soothing Body Lotion + epic moves = instant fun.)
  

• Parent vs. Kid Challenge! – Who can apply sunscreen the fastest? (Pro tip: Tikitoro Kids Mineral Sunscreen rubs in like a dream, so kids actually have a chance to win!) Loser has to do their best silly dance.

• Self-Care Theme Nights! – Let’s make it official:

  • Spa Sunday – Bubble baths, face masks, and chill vibes.

  • Hair Care Wednesday – Shampoo, conditioner, and silly towel turban competitions.

  • Skincare Saturday – A full routine before heading out for weekend fun.

4. Reward the Routine!

Kids will do just about anything for a reward. (Ever seen them clean up their toys at lightning speed just for an extra bedtime story?) So why not use a little positive reinforcement to make self-care something they actually want to do?

• The Self-Care Superstar Chart! – Every time your kid brushes their teeth, washes up, or puts on lotion, they earn a sticker. Hit a milestone? BOOM! Instant small reward—extra playtime, a favorite bedtime story, or a victory dance with the whole family.

• Bubble Bath Bonus! – If they’ve crushed their self-care goals, let them celebrate with a fun, feel-good soak using Tikitoro Kids Nourishing Bath Bar—because nothing says "You nailed it!" like warm water, a cozy lather, and a moment to splash around like a bathtub superstar.

• Mini Progress Tracker! – Help kids see and feel the benefits of their routine:

  • “Whoa! Your skin is SO soft after using lotion!”

  • “Look at that fresh, glowing face—your face wash is working its magic!”

  • “Your hair smells amazing—must be your shampoo skills!”

5. Keep It Short & Sweet

Long routines? Nope. Not happening. Kids have places to be, games to play, and very important couch-jumping to do. The trick? Keep self-care quick, fun, and totally effortless!

• Stick to the Essentials – No need for a 10-step skincare routine. A quick face wash for kids, a dab of lotion, and sunscreen—boom, done!

• Make It a Multitasking Moment – Who says self-care has to be all-consuming? Let them apply lotion while telling you the latest plot twist in their favorite cartoon or brush their hair while showing off their best dance moves.

• Turn Tiny Tasks Into Tiny Wins – Even the smallest self-care moments can be weirdly fun:

  • Rubbing hands together to see how foamy the soap gets.

  • Seeing who can rub in their sunscreen the fastest.

  • Counting how many bubbles appear while scrubbing their face.

Turning Self-Care Into a Lifelong Habit

The goal isn’t just to get kids to practice self-care today—it’s to help them build healthy habits that stick (so you’re not reminding a teenager to put on sunscreen like it’s a life-or-death situation).

When self-care is fun, engaging, and rewarding, kids won’t see it as just another "Ugh, do I have to?" moment. They’ll see it as a normal, feel-good part of their day.

So go ahead—turn hygiene into a game, let them take the lead, make it a family event, and celebrate every little win. Try out these tricks, switch things up, and before you know it, self-care will go from a daily struggle to a daily success!

And hey—if all else fails, just remind them: superheroes, pirates, and astronauts all wash their faces too

“Why did the soap take a break? Because it felt washed out!”