Chores for Kids by Age
Teaching kids the value of work and caring for their homes is so important! Help your children learn to pitch in with this printable list of chores for kids by age.
Chores for Kids
Moms and Dads, we can’t do it all ourselves. Nor should we! There is SO much value in teaching kids from an early age to help the household take care of the chores.
Why Teach Kids to Do Chores
Teaching kids to do chores has a variety of positive effects. First, it teaches them to take care of themselves and their things. It also teaches them that work reaps rewards, something that is invaluable later in life.
Positive Benefits of Kids Chores
- independence
- feeling responsible
- feel important by making a contribution
- learning teamwork
- reduces feelings of entitlement
- feeling needed by the family
- reduces stress on the family as a whole because everyone is helping out
What Ages Should Kids Start Doing Chores?
Even children as young as 2 and 3 can do basic tasks that set the foundation for a lifetime of caring for their things.
I know sometimes it is really, really hard to let them “help” because they can sometimes make more of a mess. But that three year old making a mess trying to fold washcloths is going to be an ace at it by 6 and you’ll be glad you took the time to teach them!
Teaching Kids to Do Chores
One important thing to note is that children, regardless of age, do not inherently know how to do the chores we ask them to do. While it may seem simple to ask a child to sweep a room, learning how to get the dirt in the dustpan can actually be quite challenging.
Be sure to check out the 35+ Kid’s Chore Cards in my shop to help you instruct your kids on which chores to do!
The key to being successful in teaching your children to do chores is to take the time to thoroughly teach them how to do the chore properly before setting them off on their own.
Believe me, it’s worth the extra time to help them learn than trying to correct jobs done incorrectly down the line.
Some of my favorite resources for teaching kids to clean (may contain affiliate links):
Kid’s Chore List by Age
Chores for 2 and 3-year-olds
- help set table
- put toys in toy box
- put dirty clothes in the hamper
- match socks when folding laundry
- fold washcloths
- put books on shelf
- dust with feather duster or swiffer
- clear own plate after meal
- put away silverware (spoons and other non-sharp utensils)
Chores for 4 and 5-year-olds
all of the previous chores plus…
- help feed pets
- make own bed
- water plants
- wipe table
- wipe doorknobs and light switches
- sweep
- fold towels
- clear table after a meal
- remove sheets from bed for washing
Chores for 6 and 7-year-olds
all of the previous chores plus…
- empty trash
- empty/load dishwasher
- rake leaves
- pull weeds
- wipe counters
- dust
- vacuum
- clean windows
- plan meals
- take trash cans to curb
- put away groceries
- walk pets
Chores for 10 to 12-year-olds
all of the previous chores plus…
- clean toilets and showers
- mow lawn
- mop floors
- laundry
- help cook meals
- pack own lunch
- wash car
- help with younger siblings
Chores for teenagers
Teenagers can reasonably do any chore an adult could do if they are taught and parents feel they have enough maturity for. The teen years are the time to prepare your child for adulthood so don’t hesitate to include them in tasks like making repairs around the home, car maintenance, seasonal tasks such as changing air filters and checking smoke alarms.
Click here to get your free printable!
So-what did I miss? I’m always looking for more chores to add to the list! {insert evil mom laugh here} No, seriously, please let me know what other chores you ask your kids to do!
You might also like this kid’s printable bedroom cleaning checklist and this printable kid’s bathroom cleaning checklist.
I managed to get my younger son to be helpful from a very young age. He is 7 now and he loves pegging out the washing
This list is AWESOME I have two girls age 6 and 7 and they hate folding their laundry, but have learned to value what momma has to do. This gives me great new ideas to try. Thank you for the list.
Take you chore management to the next level with apps. S’moresUp is one such an app to help manage family chores better
yep – i tell all my younger friends with toddlers to get them onto chores. I didn’t make a concerted effort to get my kids to do chores on a daily basis and now that they are teenagers, i am wrecked. They are resentful when i ask them, try to negotiate payment, so again i just end up doing it. I would happily live in a mess but husband hates mess so middle-woman here ends up doing it to keep the peace. Chores from age 2 all the way!!!!!