What kind of chores can kids do at different ages? How can your kids help out around the house? This list gives you a guideline for dolling out chores to your children and lightening the load of the household.
Any time I mention my children’s chores, I almost invariably have someone ask for an age appropriate chore list or at least some idea of what ages are capable of what tasks. I typically shy away from this question because children are so very different; however, I put together this list as a guideline, hoping everyone reading this would fully understand the unique dynamics and circumstances of their individual children.
In addition, this is NOT an exhaustive list. There is absolutely no way I could manage such a feat. So, take this list, tweak it for your family’s needs, and let your children begin to demonstrate responsibility by helping around the home!
How to start chores with your children
As you begin teaching your children how to help out around the house, keep these things in mind:
- ALWAYS try to include your children in what you are already doing.
- Give them chances to lead.
- Respect their personalities and natural abilities while realizing the need to stretch and grow them.
- Don’t give up! Teaching responsibility is a worthy goal and something our culture sorely lacks. Press on, mama!
Why give your children chores?
There is an economy of the household. There is work to be done and children must be a part of this work. However, they also must see you working hard too. They must feel like they are part of something bigger and their part matters.
Chores provide your children an opportunity to bless family members in the home and any other people who come into your home as well. It also blesses your children because it teaches them what it takes to manage a household – something they will need to do some day on their own. Don’t rob your children of this opportunity, and don’t let their initial complaints deter you from persevering!
I know I have inadvertently left things off this list, and I know I don’t always get this list right myself, but I keep trying. I keep training. I keep raising arrows that I pray will one day be sharpened and ready to be responsible for their own households.
Renee says
Having 3 toddles (4 and under) I encourage those little hands to be mama’s help. Lets face it,even a diaper in a hamper is a “big” help when you a busy 🙂
Love this list, it’s amazing how much little one can do, even when “very” little 🙂
Amy says
I just posted on this very thing! Head over and see what our kiddos are doing! We have a 21 month old, two boys 5 and 7, and two girls 9 and 11.
http://5littleteeth.blogspot.com/2011/08/fruit.html
http://5littleteeth.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-i-help-my-family.html
Hannah says
Thank you for this list! I can’t believe how many kids I know who don’t contribute at all to the family. What a terrible life lesson for them.
Vanessa says
I completely agree… I was brought up in a home (single child till age 11 when my sister was born). I wasn’t allowed to do ANYTHING, my mom did everything, my father didn’t even clean his own workshop. I moved out at 17, not knowing anything, I had my first son at 20, my second at 22, I did EVERYTHING, and was the single income in my home working 17 hours a day, I had my best friend help with picking up the kids, bath time and we split on dinner costs. I did end up leaving that man. I met another we had a child together, a daughter when I was 26. I’m now 34, I’m still learning how to do tasks as I was never taught. We have 3 of our own children and are raising (1 niece so far) there are 2 more nieces we are going after custody for, making a grand total of 6 children ages (13, 11, 10, 7, 19 mths and 3 weeks) the 13 and 11 yr old are boys the rest girls. We were going to have more children but when my sister In law lost her children to the children’s aid society we jumped on it, we are family oriented and can’t think of loosing our nieces to adoption (so we stepped in) I’m often asked how I can handle all these children, not only by strangers but by the court system aswell. We love children and want to see them grow up right. I now struggle with getting all the children involved in chores and more so now that my 13 yr old is out working with daddy when not in school, he was my rock, the little ones seen him do chores so they picked up easy, when he’s not home they give me a hard time, but I’m learning little ways of getting them to help. My biggest problem is they all expect $ in return for chores, I can’t always pay up, we’re on a tight budget now with one income and 6 children (weather the younger two are here yet or not) lawyers fees and travel expenses for court are killing us.
How do I get these kids to have fun cleaning, but not do it (just for the $)
My 11 yr old boy is the worst he gets so angry all the time and refuses to do anything unless there’s a monatary value involved.
Amy says
Vanessa – This may sound a little harsh, but the way to get them to not work for money only is to not give them any. Money is earned and not a part of regular responsibilities. IF you do your regular responsibilities well, there WILL be opportunities for money making projects (those too must be done well!). The Bible tells us that a lazy man is a poor man. Find ways to incorporate this idea into your son’s life. If he is being lazy what “possessions” may he lose because of it?
And just keep plugging along! You are doing what needs to be done and searching out information for the things you don’t know how to do. That’s what I’ve done all my adult life!
Jessica says
Great List! My 19 month old says, “thank you”, he wipes up his spills, throws pieces of trash away for me, helps me pick up his toys and tidy the room and LOVES to help me cook dinner! Seems like he fits right into your 1-2 year category. Thanks for posting!
Ginger says
How encouraging that my 1.5 yo is actually doing “chores”. lol I had no idea! What’s awesome is the big kids requiring her to say/sign please, thank you, whatever before giving her anything. I love that they help me train her right.
I keep all my dishes in the bottom cabinets so the littles can empty the dishwasher. They are able to put away dishes correctly starting at 2 yo.
I also have a stepstool in the laundry room and stickers on the control panel of the washer/dryer, so they learn how to do laundry when they’re young.
SO much better to learn this stuff when it’s actually fun; rather than as a teen (or worse yet- an adult) like I did. It’s no fun then!
I feel sorry for those kids who don’t have any chores. The transition to adulthood is going to be miserable for them!
Danielle says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! I have 4 children ages 4 and under, and I really need some help around here, no matter how small! I have been wanting some direction about how to assign more tasks to my preschoolers, so this is an answer to prayer!
Heather @ Raising Mighty Arrows says
Great post Amy. Thank you for showing us how your family handles chore times so that those of us with littles can learn to implement some of the same ideas!
Caryn says
You mention in making beds that you don’t use top sheets. Just blankets? how often do you wash them? And do you have a large washer that will do it? I’ve tried it, but seems I’m always running to the laundromat to wash them in the commercial sized washers. Any ideas? Love the chore ideas – thank you for posting that.
Amy says
Our summer blankets are fairly thin and our winter blankets are personal sized so they fit in the washer nicely. I wash bedding every other week (unless otherwise needed). And yes, I have a large capacity washer. 🙂
Ebony says
This is an answer to my prayers, and an encouragement because I was doing most of this anyway. My son is 2 and some and I had just been having a difficult time with routines. this came just in time thank you!
Katy says
My Dad sent me a page from his local paper a few years back on chores for kids. It was a chart of sorts. It was so great. They divided it by age and each age built on previous chores and added a few.
So, at 2 – 3 it was wipe furniture with a dry cloth while Mom cleans the furniture, put pillows on their bed and help straighten the blanket, pick up books and put in bookshelf.
Then it would move up to wipe wood furniture with cleaning stuff while Mom swept the floor nearby, pull up the sheets and help straighten them/or strip the bed, pick up books after use and put toys in toy box.
Each time they built on the job and they added new ones that were age appropriate. I have hung it on my fridge everytime we move. When I have one of those moments that I can’t think of a chore for a child that needs to add to it or develop a better grasp of the chore, I just refer to it.
Amy says
Good idea to keep it on the refrigerator! What a great dad! 😉
Molly says
Perfect timing. I appreciate this post!!
ellen says
Love the website
Ginger says
You mentioned that your kids have personal-sized blankets on their beds. We do the same no flat sheet thing around here. I figure if it works for cribs, it works for bunk beds. 😉
Would you mind telling me the measurements of your kids’ blankets? Pretty please!
Jennifer @ Conversion Diary says
Thanks for another great post! Your site is always such an oasis of information and encouragement.
Karla says
This was fun and encouraging to read! My littles are 5 and under, I don’t often have time to visit your site but made time this evening. It’s encouraging to see that I’ve got my boys doing pretty much everything you have listed for their ages. I was hoping to find some new things to add to the list but I suppose, after all, they are just small children and I can’t yet expect them to tidy the entire house….not yet anyways. 🙂
Kim M. says
I came across your blog while researching diastasis recti rehabilitation. I got the back brace you recommended and it’s great. I love your blog. I only have two children, but I think I’ll start getting my 2 year old more involved with tidying up the house. Thanks for all the great suggestions.
Johanna says
Thank you for this list. I have four kids of my own (10, 7, 4, 2), and have struggled with assigning chores. This list makes me feel better about what is appropriate to assign them…even my 2 year old princess!
Brooke says
My 3 year old does a great job of putting the canned goods on the bottom pantry shelf after we grocery shop. I have had to give up organization by veggie type, but he lines the cans neatly enough to please me. He also puts his snacks on the correct shelf.
Homeschooling in Nova Scotia says
I’m so glad to see you’re not selling kids short in this list! They can be so capable. My son has always had an interest in cooking and baking and was starting to prepare meals on his own when he was six 🙂 Now my two kids each make supper twice a week – they love making their favourites!
~ Kimberly
Lacey says
This are great! Do you have any additional suggestions for a 10 month old boy?
kaye says
It is obvious you clearly lack the understanding of normal child development. A child under 3 has not the cognitive understanding of a chore. A 1 to 5 year old can not and should not be responsible for helping anyone.
I fear for your children .
Ktista says
If you seriously feel that a 5 y/o should not have the capability to fold and put away towels, or help make dinner, then you are a perfect example of why kids are more and more lazy. A 3 y/o may not understand what chord means, but I bet they like to be “just like mom” or at least understand a reward system. You are wrlsvome to parent the way you deem fit, but that doesn’t mean you should post rude comments on posts you disagree with. If this type of parenting is not for you, then leave the rude comments in your head please and find a blog with your similar beliefs.
Reggie says
This is going to sound like it’s coming from way out in left field, but other than very simple chores, such as emptying the trash or compost, I don’t have my children begin actual routine chores until age seven. My reasoning for this came from an article I read on a nomadic African tribe. Their children are not required/expected to work before the age of seven. That got me to thinking, “Why?” and after much watching of my own children, I realized that while they do enjoy ‘helping’ with anything and everything before that age, they very rarely are physically capable of any real work before that age. That being said, I decided to go about teaching household skills the way I do potty training: spend six months to two years on it, or wait until they’re physically capable and do it in two weeks.
Trina says
This is a great list! I’ve been looking for a simple, yet effective chore list for my 4 yr. old. She does help with some things, but this is a great way to start our weekend. You’re never to young to learn something new.