When I'm tired and sick of getting onto the kids to get their chores done, I do this race and it never fails!  I always end up with excited, happy kids ready to get their work done!  This works even better if they get a "surprise" at the end!  Oh, and "everybody's a winner" rule is best with this or you won't be so successful next time!

Walk around the house and make a list on lined paper of all the things you need done.  Break them down into bite size pieces.  Example:

-living room needs cleaning
-kitchen needs cleaning
-bathroom needs picking up
-bedroom 2 needs straightening

Now break it down into small bite-sized pieces:

-pick up all trash in living room
-gather laundry in living room and put in laundry room
-sweep foyer
-vacuum living room
-wipe down wall near couch

....and so on....

Tear up all the chores into strips and put into a mason jar.  Gather all the kids.  (The more kids to participate, the better!)  Explain the rules:

Rules:

*Pick a strip of paper; do what is on it. 
*Have mommy see it when its done.
*Keep your slip of papers with you in your pocket (or a baggie that you give them).
*When done, grab another one and go.
*Keep going until there are no more strips in the jar.
 

We will count up each person's strips to see the winners!   Ready- set- go!

Make sure you keep them motivated as they "run" around and do these!  They may get discouraged easily if you don't!  Pretend you are the announcer, announce each person's progress loudly and excitedly!  Have fun and happy clean house!