Chores for Children According to Age

As parents, it’s natural to want to provide and do everything for your kids. But doing so might end up being counterproductive. No matter how painful it is to watch your children struggle with new chores the first few times, fight the urge to do it for them. Asking your kids – even the little ones – to help around the house is the best and most effective way to teach them about responsibility.

Teaching your kids how to pick up after themselves and perform specific tasks can effect positive changes to your household dynamics. However, to successfully implement this, you have to assess your children’s capabilities and assign them chores appropriate for their ages. If you’re at a loss how or not sure what they can and cannot do, this list might shed some light on your confusion.

Age 2 – 3

If you have or have had a toddler in the house, then you already know how much they love hanging around you while you’re doing something and begging to help. At two or three years old, kids don’t see chores as work. For them, it more like fun and play. And while they might not be the most efficient or useful assistants, it is important to cultivate that eagerness to help and encourage the habit of helping out.

Here are some things your toddler can do:

Put toys away
Arrange books on the shelves
Place their dirty clothes in the hamper
Wipe spills
Help fix the bed
Put clean clothes in the drawer

Age 4 – 5

Preschool kids are not as motivated to help with chores as toddlers, but they like spending time with adults. Make this work to your advantage by using your individual time together to teach them new tasks. Also, children at this age go wild for rewards. Giving them little incentives will go a long way in motivating them to keep their end of the chore list.

Your preschooler can do simple tasks with minimal supervision. Ask them to:

Set and clear the table
Dust shelves
Help out in preparing dinner
Feed the pets
Weed the garden
Make their beds

Age 6 – 8

As children enter school age, they become less enthusiastic with the idea of doing chores. However, not all hope is lost because this is also the age when they develop an overwhelming desire to be independent. Motivate them to complete their share of responsibilities by being generous with your praises. Giving them a pat on the back for jobs well-done will encourage them to be more self-sufficient.

Some of the chores you can entrust them are as follows:

Do the dishes
Fold the laundry
Vacuum and clean the floor
Load and unload the dishwasher
Take care and clean up after pets
Take out the garbage

Ages 9 – 12

If your kids are not used to chores by this age, then expect some resistance. This is precisely why you need to start assigning children household duties at a very early age – so that they develop a positive mindset towards responsibilities.

When they reach elementary age, your kids can pretty much do most of the chores around the house. For example:

Make meals and lunchboxes
Clean the toilet
Wash and dry clothes
Wash and vacuum the car
Help in watching after the little kids

Ages 13 and above

Hopefully, by the time your children are in middle school, they can do any chore around the house that you ask them to. This is also the time to start giving them more mature responsibilities like organizing and supervising the chore-chart or looking after their younger siblings. It’s hard to admit, but your babies are officially teenagers. You have to learn to trust them more.

Why Your Children Need Chores

Adults desire to feel needed. And you know what? It’s not so different from kids. Children love knowing that they’re making a contribution, no matter how small. The next time your little ones seek attention (like they always do), ask them to help you put toys away or seat them with you as you fold the laundry. Trust us; they will enjoy it!

If you think your children are starting to act spoiled, hand them a daily household to-do list and witness how it cuts back their sense of entitlement. Chores help keep kids grounded. Moreover, it teaches them independence and instills in them a positive work ethic that builds their character and shapes them into the adult they become in the future.

About The Author

Samantha Green is the Content Marketing Strategist for BusyKid, the first and only chore and allowance platform where kids can earn, save, share, spend, and invest their allowance. A mom of two, she enjoys spending time with her kids and reading books to them.

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