Quick + Easy Guide to Kids Chores
Listen, as much as I would LOVE to be a mom who has an elaborate cleaning routine and perfectly spotless house, it’s just not who I am!
Clean-freak or not, everyone likes a clean, tidy house but with 2 young kids, a full time-work-from-home job, managing a household, staying physically active etc. etc. etc chores are just not that high on my priority list. It recently dawned on me that I have two tiny little humans that can and should be helping so I did a little research and created a quick age by age chore guide of what my littles do and what yours can too!
Side note, my youngest is 15 months and we are parenting the Montessori way so he loves to help sweep, put clothes in the dryer, help wash his bottles, put his toys away etc. but most recommendations are to start chores at 2 years old, do what works best for you and your fam.
Reasons why kids should do chores:
- gives them a sense of responsibility
- gives them an opportunity to take pride in their work
- makes them feel important to the family
- teaches them how to do household tasks
Do we give an allowance for chores:
No, we don’t. From the research we have done it appears it is not recommended for small children because they aren’t motivated by money.
How do we get our kids to do chores:
- Make it fun! We play upbeat music which encourages them to move to the beat of the song aka move quickly 😉
- Progress over perfection – if the cups aren’t stacked correctly, oh well… at least they aren’t sat in the dishwasher right?
- Be specific – Sometimes kids are resistant in listening because they aren’t really sure what you are asking. For example when I ask my kiddos to clean up the play area, instead of saying that I say “put the balls in the ball pit” and “put the stuffed animals in the toy bin” etc. by breaking down the tasks it is much clearer what you expect.
Toddler Chores for Kids Ages 2-3
The best thing about kids this age is that they’ll do pretty much anything if you frame it right… meaning it’s really easy to make chores into a game, to amp them up, and make them feel like a BIG KID getting to help with X, Y or Z!
For this age especially, keep it very simple. One or two steps to the chore, max.
- Put toys away
- Stack/put away books
- Put dirty laundry in the hamper
- Put trash in the garbage and recycling bins
- Grab diapers and wipes
- Wipe up spills
- Stir recipe ingredients in a bowl
- Unload plastic cups/plates/bowls from the dishwasher
- Help get clothes from washer to dryer
Preschooler Chores for Kids Ages 4-5
Preschoolers (kids ages 4-5) really vary in ability so obviously modify your expectations based on your child and family’s needs.
Kids ages 4 and 5 can do any of the above chores, plus:
- Make their bed
- Tidy up their bedroom
- Water plants or flowers
- Set and clear the kitchen table
- Grab own snacks
- Sort dirty laundry by color
- Match socks
- Sort underwear
- Dust large objects (nothing fragile)
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Choose outfits for the week
- Bring stuff in from the car
- Replace toilet paper rolls
- Help rake leaves
- Put simple groceries away (depending on your food storage set-up)
- Bring in mail or newspaper
- Use a hand-held vacuum
- Pour a bowl of cereal
- Swiffer the floor
Young Elementary Chores for Kids Ages 6-7
Kids ages 6 and 7 can do any of the above chores, plus:
- Hang laundry
- Fold laundry
- Put away laundry into drawers
- Empty some glass dishes from the dishwasher
- Help pack lunch
- Empty lunchbox at the end of the day
Older Elementary Chores for Kids Ages 8+
We’re not quite to this stage yet, but I’ve scoured the web to research what older elementary aged kids are capable of… here’s what I found!
Kids ages 8+ can do any of the above chores, plus:
- Load the dishwasher
- Vacuum
- Help with meal prep – cutting, buttering bread, making salads, etc
- Take out the trash
- Mop floors
- Dust smaller/more delicate objects
- Make their own lunch
- Make toast
- Empty out backpack daily
- Write thank you notes
- Learn to use the washer & dryer
Our kiddos are way more capable than we think, giving chores as early as age 2 allows them to work on their independence and life skills and ultimately sets them up for success later in life.
