Age appropriate chores for children
Having your kids complete household chores benefits everyone in the family. Chores teach kids responsibility, independence, and basic skills. When children leave home, they’ll be better prepared for living on their own.
Plus, when everyone helps out around the house, there are fewer chores for one person to do on their own! Give parents, other adult family members, and nannies a break by assigning children age-appropriate chores. Whether you’re a nanny in Boston or a family looking to teach your kiddos how to help out around the house, here are some ideas for chores by age group.
Toddlers
Once your toddler has begun moving around more, you may notice they’re eager to explore and make sense of their surroundings. They’re also more independent and will begin imitating others’ behavior. At around two or three years old, toddlers can follow directions with two or three steps. This is a perfect time to begin giving toddlers chores that are in line with their growing abilities.
Give toddlers chores such as:
Pick up toys, books, and games
Help make the bed
Put dirty clothes in hamper
Feed pets
Dust
Put away miscellaneous items
Preschoolers
Preschoolers may be more dexterous and coordinated at this stage. They’re typically able to dress and undress themselves, ride tricycles, play more complex games, and more. These developmental milestones at three to five years old are exciting; they’re ready to experience a new environment like preschool. It also means they’re ready to handle new chores around the home.
Assign any of the previous chores, plus:
Clear and set the table
Pull weeds
Water plants
Make the bed
Empty small trash cans
Carry and put away groceries
Ages 6 to 9
Young children yearn for more independence and understanding at this stage in their life. They’re rapidly developing mental and physical skills. Their emotions and social skills may change, too. Teaching responsibility, respect for others, and achieving goals is important for kids around six to nine years old.
Assign any of the previous chores, plus:
Help bake or cook meals
Care for pets
Sort and put away laundry
Sweep, vacuum, or mop floors
Load and unload the dishwasher
Ages 10 to 13
Kids at this age are often much more independent and more aware of themselves at ten to thirteen years old. They may also face a lot of pressure from their peers and at school, especially if they’re preparing for middle school. Continue to build their sense of responsibility and following rules by giving them the appropriate chores.
Assign any of the previous chores, plus:
Wash the car
Clean the bathroom and/or kitchen
Take out the garbage
Prepare meals
Watch younger siblings
Tweens and teens
Tweens and teens from fourteen to seventeen years old experience many physical, emotional, and mental changes. It's important to be clear about expectations and goals regarding chores, but also respect your tween or teen’s input and busy schedule. Pick chores that will teach them skills they’ll need in college and beyond.
Assign any of the previous chores, plus:
Do laundry on their own
Shop for groceries
Cook a simple meal
Use, clean, or maintain household appliances (like cleaning the fridge or vacuum)
Tips for assigning chores
Age shouldn’t be the only factor when doling out chores. Consider physical ability, maturity level, and interest, too.
Avoid focusing on perfection. No one is perfect! If you insist on perfection from your kids, they may start to resent doing their chores.
Don’t do chores for them. If your child doesn’t complete their chores or does them incorrectly, don’t jump in and take them on yourself. That negates the entire idea of assigning them chores.
Give praise. Praise your kids when you see them completing chores. You want to encourage them so they build healthy chore habits.
Make a chart. Use a whiteboard, a sticker chart, a calendar, or whatever you like. Some kind of chart can help kids keep track of their chores and successes.
Completing age-appropriate chores teaches children essential life skills, hones independence, and teaches responsibility. Teach your kids how to do each chore specifically, be consistent with tasks and praise, avoid micromanaging, and ease up on expecting perfection. Once kids realize that they can do their chores — and that they’ve done a good job — they’re more likely to stick to their routine.
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