List of Chores for Kids by Age and Why They Need Them

Rise and shine because today is chores day! It’s that time of the week to maintain the humble place you call home. So bust out the broom, glass cleaner, and laundry detergent.

 

Life was different when you were living on your own or with only your partner. But now that you have a child, you can have an extra hand to help around the house. And as it turns out, chores are actually beneficial for both you and your child.

 

But how do you teach chores to a child? We all know how kids just want to have fun and play games. So doing things like sweeping the floor or wiping the table sounds tedious and lame.

But there are ways you can make chores more exciting for the little one. Chores are a big reason why children grow successful and responsible. We’ll talk about how you can encourage them to join you clean. And at the end, we’ll give you a list of chores for kids by age.

 

Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy chores as much as your kid does.

 

When Can Children Start Doing Chores?

Believe it or not, but children can start helping around the house at age 2. Toddlers are capable of doing basic tasks that include simple instructions and motor skills. Of course, they won’t do things right on the first try, but that’s where parents can come in.

 

As your child grows older, they can accomplish more complicated tasks without strict supervision. They can perform more taxing jobs around the house and remember the step-by-step process of doing chores.

 

When assigning chores to your kid, it’s always best to see how capable they are. A 15-year-old teen is more capable of washing a car than a 6-year-old preschooler. Later on, we’ll talk about which chores you should assign to your kids based on their age.

 

Why Are Chores Important for a Child’s Growth?

A lot of parents don’t want to see a tired and stressed-out child. These parents end up carrying all the load on their shoulders while their children play and do what they will. However, parents shouldn’t take all the responsibility for themselves.

 

 

There are a lot of benefits in giving kids chores. Household tasks are designed to teach life skills like responsibility and accountability to your child.

 

Chores are also great at forming bonds and teaching teamwork. Chores aren’t a one-person job. Both you and your child do your part in creating a clean and desirable home to live in.

 

These skills are valuable for your child’s future career, relationship, and home life. Many companies put great importance on people who can do tasks in a mannerly fashion. Likewise, future friends and partners appreciate a person who has control over the environment they live in. And let’s face it: Living in a dirty home is awful!

 

Children who can do errands are at an advantage versus those who don’t. Your child will learn plenty of things while working around the house. And those values will follow them until they grow old and have a home of their own.

 

How to Invite Your Child to Do Chores With You

Convincing your child to join you during errands is where the challenge starts. But it’s possible to convince your little angel to do what you ask them to without them grunting under their breath. Here are 10 ideas on how to convince your child to do chores with you.

 

1. Let Your Child Pick Which Chore They Want 

Open your floor for the whole family and let your child pick which chores they want to do. Children age 6 and up can start making small decisions, including the errands they want to do. This planning stage can build trust among family members.

 

2. Teach Them First Before Letting Them Do Things By Themselves

Unfamiliar tasks can put your kid off. Help lessen their frustration by teaching them the chore first and slowly letting them try it themselves. You can move on to the next once they master that task.

 

3. Treat Chores Like They are Part of Playtime 

For younger kids, make chores more fun by integrating them with playtime. Play pretend with the broom and dustpan. Or have a round of basketball, where the clothes are balls, and the hamper is the net. Be creative with how you can make your child smile while doing their job.

 

4. Start Out with Small and Manageable Tasks 

Don’t overload your child with a lot of work. Instead, give them small and manageable tasks that can be done in an hour or two. Fewer chores are less jarring to finish.

 

5. Let Your Child be Independent When Working 

Constantly watching your child can make them feel self-conscious. They’re more likely to make a wrong move if you are surveilling their every step. So just relax and let them have a little bit of independence.

 

6. Motivate Them to the Finish Line 

Chores can take a long time to accomplish, and they can demotivate any child. Motivate your child that they can finish their task for the day. Remind them that all their hard work will be worth it in the end.

 

7. Provide Them Help When They Ask 

But sometimes, even the toughest cookie breaks under pressure. If your child needs some assistance from you, don’t hesitate to help them out. It can make chores faster and easier for both of you.

 

8. Focus on Progress and Not Perfection 

Your child is allowed to make a few hiccups during the cleaning process. Always look for progress in their work and not perfection. Pointing out their mistakes all the time can lower their mood and self-esteem.

 

9. Use a Reward Chart to Boost Their Spirits

A physical representation of their labor can give your child a perspective on how responsible they have been. Have a reward chart that you regularly put stars on after every chore. Your child will be inspired to do more at home.

 

10. Be The Role Model That They Need 

Finally, your child sees you as their role model. If you do chores, they will follow your actions as well. So be consistent and do your own set of chores around the house.

 

These are just some ways to convince your child to do chores with you. There are other tricks and strategies that you can try. Just remember to always hear your child out and respect their wishes and boundaries.

 

List of Chores for Kids By Age: Toddler to Adolescent

Let’s now see what chores are perfect for your child based on their age. Always keep in mind that different children can handle different amounts of work. So always be attentive when it comes to dividing housework.

With that out of the way, here is a list of age-appropriate chores for your kid.

 

Toddler (1-3 years old)

Toddlers have limited abilities during this phase in life. But that doesn’t mean they can’t help with your family. Most of their chores are easy to accomplish within an hour.

• Picking up toys
• Picking up laundry
• Helping in making the bed
• Mopping small spills
• Dusting surfaces

 

Preschooler (3-5 years old)

Preschoolers start to develop more skills in memory and movement. Then can now do more tasks around the house, like in the kitchen or garden. Just make sure they don’t use fragile items.

• Making their own bed
• Setting the table
• Helping in washing plastic dishes and utensils
• Putting away dinnerware
• Watering plants
• Weeding
• Sorting laundry from light and dark
• Putting away small grocery items

 

School-Aged (6-13 years old)

School-aged children have a better grasp of their surroundings, and they follow orders without being told to. This is the stage when you can introduce household machines.

• Sweeping the floor
• Cleaning the dishes
• Wiping displays
• Helping with pets (feeding, bathing, etc.)
• Cleaning the table after meals
• Vacuuming
• Taking the trash out
• Organizing groceries
• Helping in washing the car
• Preparing easy meals
• Using a dishwasher
• Using a washing machine 

 

Adolescent (14-19 years old)

Adolescents can accomplish every previous work. Plus, they are also given more freedom to do errands outside the house. 

• Doing deep cleaning (in the kitchen, bathroom, etc.)
• Babysitting younger siblings
• Cooking
• Mowing the lawn
• Going to the store independently
• Ironing clothes
• Sewing
• Helping with basic repairs

 

These are some tasks that your child can accomplish at home. As they grow older, your kid can do more complex work that won’t require much supervision. Of course, your child can’t do all these tasks at once. That’s why it’s key to divide work among yourselves in the family.

 

It’s also good to remember that other factors can come into play when assigning chores. Gender, physical strength, and personal interest all play a role in choosing the assignment for your child. 

 

This list was based on the Child Development Institute’s article “The Ultimate List of Age-Appropriate Chores.'”

 

Conclusion

It’s tough to teach your child new household chores. But the results are always worth it in the end. Seeing your child grow up and being able to manage themselves is an accomplishment for any parent.

 

After a long day of chores, a little pampering can refresh you and your child. A golden star on their reward chart is always so motivating.