As hard as it may seem, teaching your children to do household chores not only helps you but also kids learn responsibility and important skills.
Chores for kids are an important part of the daily routine for upkeep, which every family member should help with.
I can tell you what chores are good for kids your age and how to say goodbye to chaos and hello to family teamwork!
In my blog post, I’m excited to share some of my personal tips on how to turn chore time from tug-of-war to a simple routine for you and your kiddos.
Key Takeaways
- Doing chores helps kids learn to be responsible, feel good about themselves and their spaces, and teach them handy life skills along the way.
- Consider what needs to be done for house upkeep, and think about whether each task is an age-appropriate chore for your kiddo.
- Chore charts and other tools can make it super easy to make doing chores a routine! But remember, it’s important to balance chores for children with playtime and chillaxing.
- Giving kids money for doing chores can help them learn about money, like saving and spending. But make sure to give other rewards, too!
Appropriate Chores for Kids to Foster Responsibility
Getting kids involved in simple household tasks can change how things are done around the house and prepare them for growing up.
Starting with these age-appropriate chores for kids not only lets the younger ones join in doing the family chores but also shows them that doing chores can be fun.
Here are the chores I recommend per age group as your kid grows up:
Ages 1-3
Toddlers who are 1-3 years old might seem like they’re still mastering the art of walking and talking, but believe it or not, they’re actually eager to help out around the house.
My girls would see me picking up and naturally start doing the same, albeit not in an organized way. I realized early on that they were ready to be little helpers.
Here are some daily household chores that I started with my kids:
- Put their toys back in their toy box.
- Put books on short bookshelves.
- Pick socks/undies/etc. out of the clean laundry.
- Match sock colors.
- Put their dirty clothes in a laundry basket.
- Wipe up spills/small messes.
- Pour pet food into the pet dish.
Ages 4-6
Kiddos aged 4 to 6 are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them, including how to be super helpful.
Here are slightly more complex tasks that your 4 to 6-year-olds can start taking on:
- Make their bed in the morning (not change sheets yet!).
- Set the table for meals.
- Wash small dishes/plastic dishes.
- Put food away, like canned goods or boxes of cereal.
- Fold and put away laundry.
- Water outdoor plants.
- Help take care of pets (walk dog, brush cat, feed pet).
Ages 7-9
Kids aged 7 to 9 are ready to tackle more tasks around the house and show what they can do.
Here are chores for kids 7 to 9 years old that my students had at this age:
- Use a vacuum cleaner to clean carpets and rugs; sweep and mop hard floors.
- Dust shelves, tabletops, and baseboards.
- Make snacks and their own lunch.
- Wash and put away laundry solo.
- Rinse dishes and load the dishwasher.
- Rake leaves, pulling weeds, or watering plants in the garden.
- Bring dishes from the table and wash the table after meals.
Ages 10-12
As preteens, older kids aged 10 to 12 can take on more responsibilities around the house. They can handle chores like:
- Bring in groceries after shopping.
- Put the trash in the garbage cans; take the trash out for trash day.
- Unload the dishwasher.
- Mow the yard (12 year old minimum is recommended).
- Wash the car.
- Cook simple meals (with help).
- Clean the bathroom cabinets and sink.
Ages 13-18
Aged 13 to 18 is the time when older kids can step up and help with more household chores and start taking care of things that they would when they move into their own apartment.
Think of it as training wheels for adulting where they learn more responsibility with minimal supervision!
So, what can they tackle? Here’s a list of some simple chores they can do:
- Wash windows.
- Prepare grocery list/go grocery shopping.
- Small house upkeep- replace light bulbs, etc.
- Babysit siblings or younger kids in the neighborhood.
- Cook meals solo.
- Car maintenance – check tire pressure, vacuum car, wash car.
- Get a part-time job.
- Manage their finances.
- Tutor and mentor younger kids.
Fitting Chores Into Your Routine: Free Chore Chart!
Fitting kids’ chores into your routine as a parent might seem like adding another item to your already packed to-do list, but trust me, it’s totally doable!
Sit down with your little helpers and chat about which age-appropriate chores they can tackle and when.
Chore charts can help you keep track of the chores and plan each week. My free chore chart above can be a great tool for you both.
Next, get the whole family involved! Divide up tasks based on everyone’s abilities and interests.
One of my daughters has eczema on her hands, so washing dishes is meh even with gloves, and her sister is happy to wash dishes if she sweeps floors instead.
And hey, remember to give yourself some grace when you assign children chores. Life gets busy, and there will be days when things may fall by the wayside—and that’s okay!
Lastly, make chores fun! Crank up the music, turn chores into a game, or offer small rewards for a job well done.
When chores feel less like chores, everyone’s happier to pitch in.
Chores & Allowances Or Incentives
Some families tie allowances to chores, while others keep them separate. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to how you reward kids doing their chores.
Personally, I like the chore allowance route because it’s a chance to teach kids about earning and managing money.
We budget $0.25-$2 per chore and discuss how much will go towards savings and what can be spent if they want, with some limitations.
Take time to chat with your kiddos about budgeting, saving up for goals, and making smart spending choices. These lessons teach kids to be money-smart kids.
If you don’t want to make an allowance or can’t afford it, I suggest having other incentives for their chores.
I’m a fan of the sticker system, where kids get “points” for every sticker they collect for completing chores, and those stickers can be “spent” on things they want.
For example, for my 12-year-old cousin, washing dishes is one sticker, and washing, folding, and putting her laundry is 2 stickers.
Once she hits 20+ stickers for the week, she can trade for an hour of extra screen time, staying up an extra 30 minutes, having an extra movie night, and more.
FAQs
When should I add chores to my child’s routine?
Adding chores to your child’s routine is a great idea, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for when to start. It really depends on your child’s age, their abilities, and what works best for your family.
Generally, you can start introducing simple kids’ chores when they’re toddlers. Nothing too crazy, just little tasks like picking up toys or helping set the table.
As they get older, you can add more responsibilities bit by bit.
Don’t stress if they’re not perfect right away! It’s all about learning and having fun. Start small, keep it light and positive, and soon enough, they’ll be little chore champions!
What chores can toddlers do around the house?
Toddlers may be small, but they’re mighty helpers in their own special way! Here are some simple chores that toddlers can do around the house:
- Toy Cleanup
- Dusting
- Wiping Spills
- Watering Plants
- Sock Sorting
What are the average chores for kids in kindergarten or first grade (5-7 years old)?
Ah, the kindergarten and first-grade crew! They’re at the perfect age to start taking on some cool new chores around the house, but they need to balance housework with homework and fun time.
With some balance, kids this age can fit in a few chores in their after school routine, including:
- Making Their Bed
- Setting and Clearing the Table
- Putting Away Groceries
- Helping with Laundry
- Assisting with Pet Care
Why are chores good for kids?
Chores may not sound exciting, but trust me, they are actually good for kids!
When kids do weekly chores, they’re not just helping out around the house. They are learning some super valuable life skills.
Kids learn more responsibility when they do chores, which prepares them for their first apartments, first homes, and even children of their own someday.
When kids have tasks to do, whether it’s putting away their toys or helping with dishes, they start to understand that they’re contributing to the smooth running of the household.
Plus, when they see that their efforts make a real difference, it boosts their confidence big time.
How many chores are good for young kids?
When it comes to how many chores to give to young kids, it’s all about finding the right balance. You want to give them enough tasks to teach responsibility but not overwhelm them.
Generally, starting with just a few simple chores each week is a good idea. For really young ones, like preschoolers, one or two chores a day might be plenty.
Little hands are perfect for picking up toys, putting dirty clothes in a basket, helping set the table, or feeding the family pet.
As they get older, you can gradually add more tasks to their list.
What chores are appropriate for preteens?
Preteens—they’re not little kids, but they’re not quite teenagers either. Preteens, or middle schoolers aged 10-13, can handle chores independently without constant reminders.
There’s actually a whole bunch of tasks they can tackle and take on more responsibility and learn essential life skills! Chores for preteens may include:
- Washing dishes
- Washing the car
- Preparing simple meals
- Washing their own laundry and putting it away
- Taking out the trash/recycling for trash day
- Cooking simple meals with some help
- Babysitting younger siblings with supervision
Final Thoughts
From a young age, involving family members in household tasks is important for expectations and life lessons.
I’ve seen firsthand how chores have not just kept our house in order but also built a sense of pride and teamwork in my children.
They’ve learned that their contributions matter and that they can achieve great things with a little effort and a lot of heart.
So, as you begin teaching kids these life skills, embrace the mess-ups and the do-overs because they’re all part of the beautiful process of growing up.
