The Ultimate List Of Age Appropriate Chores For Your Kids

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What chores can a 6 year old be in charge of ? What about an 8 year old? When can kids start to learn to do their own laundry? Use this list of age-appropriate chores as a guide when creating chore charts for your children.  

Remember, children are different from one another and age shouldn't always be the sole criteria when deciding what to assign. Set your kids up for success and choose an appropriate and doable amount of chores and timeline in which to complete them.

The Value of Chores for Children

Parenting expert Jim Fay, co-founder of the Love and Logic website, says we all need to feel needed and to know that we're making a contribution - even kids. "But they can't feel that way if they don't have chores and make contributions to the family", says Fay.

Roger W. McIntire, author of Raising Good Kids in Good Times, says, "A child has to have some responsibilities."

All this may sound fine, but how do you get kids ONBOARD?

Keep in Mind When Making Chores Chart

• Be specific with instructions
• Ease into chores with children
• Go easy with reminders and deadlines

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don't insist on perfection
• Don't delay
• Don't be stingy with praise
• Don't be inconsistent

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Remember, if your children can play multiple levels of a game or can browse for their favourite video in your smartphone or any other device, they can also operate the washing machine or the dishwasher. 

Ages 2-3

Although at this age chores would be done only when you help them, toddlers love to help with chores. This is because for them, it isn't a chore yet and secondly, they are tactile learners. They want to touch and feel everything. They also love visuals, so a sticker reward chart may a great idea here.

• Help make the bed. Independently try to put pillow and soft toys on their bed.
• pick up toys and books
• put clothes in the laundry hamper (should be child safe cloth bag and easy access)
• mop, dust small plain areas (slip an old sock on their hand and let them wipe a table)
• help feed pets (dry food)

Ages 4-5

Pre-schoolers or kindergartners are fairly motivated to help around the house mostly because they love to spend time with you. It is a great opportunity for you also, to teach them various things and at the same time, help sharpen their hand-eye coordination. Gross motor and fine motor skills continue to develop and what's better than household chores. You'll get help and kids will grow. Win win for all! 

• make their beds without supervision
• clear or set the table after meals with you
• pull weeds if you have a garden
• water flowers/plants
• put away clean utensils (steel/plastic)
• help bring in light groceries from the car
• pull out laundry from the machine with you
• dust and clean plain surfaces
• care for pets (put out dry food items, fill in water)

 Ages 6-9

By this age, there is a chance of rebellion against chores. The idea is to encourage and instill a sense of independence in the children. They need to understand that chores are a part of life and they will always need to contribute around the house. Be patient with them and reward with praises, love and affection when they successfully without supervision. In this age-group, children can take up more responsibility without your help. Make use of this stage to build stamina and strength. 

• use a hand-held vacuum cleaner
• set/clean the table without supervision
• tidy up the room 
• load, unload and operate the washing machine / dishwasher
• help with setting/mixing a salad
• fix their own snacks like cereal or a sandwich (non-fire)
• sort items where needed like toys or even groceries
• awareness of matchsticks and stove lighter. 

The last one is important. There may come a time when they get curious about such things and experiment when you're not around. Sit with them in the kitchen and explain the dangers. Let them see what fire looks and feels like. Show them the correct position of the stove knobs. It is much better to get it done and over with rather than wait for them to discover it. 

Ages 10-12

Pre-teens can do many task independently and can be held responsible for them without constant reminders. They need to be just checked upon maybe once a day, and children can self-track their chores by using a chore list or tracker. This is the age when children learn about self-reliance. 

But parents need to keep in mind that if children have not been involved in chores at a younger age, they won't be so happy doing it in their pre-teen and teen years.

• help prepare simple meals 
• keep track of school work and organize school material
• Operate washing machine independently
• Babysit younger siblings
• peel vegetables
• pet care
• fold clothes and put them away in cupboards
• prepare own snacks (stove top/microwave/non-fire)
• upkeep of study area
• water plants
• clean their own bicycles, etc.  

Ages 13+

Teenagers can pretty much carry out any chores that a household adult may do, with little or no supervision. You may, however, need to guide them every now and then. But don't nag. Again, if you start your kids on chores early in life, then the need for nagging will not arise. Give clear instructions and praise them when things are done well. 

This is the age to teach them responsibility, citizenship and advocacy and accountability. All this can be achieved if you have a healthy mix of chores, study and recreation time for the teenagers in the house. Don't let them feel overburdened by chores. It should be the organic nature of your household.  

Having grown up with younger siblings, I have seen this trend work well. It has helped us to be more independent around the house, without it being a burden. I sure am thankful for that training now that the pandemic has hit the world and we were without any extra help for quite sometime. 

The list below is for a big age-group. Hence, you can fine-tune it as per the exact age of your teen.

• prepare a complete meal of choice
• keep room tidy and organized at all times. 
• fully take care of pets and plants around the house
• operate machines around the house
• clean and maintain vehicles at home
• buy and stock groceries
• cleaning and sanitizing home surfaces
• organizing bookshelves
• babysitting younger siblings 
• organizing closet
• Pay the bills online and offline
• Order food for the family at a restaurant (public speaking and dignity of labour)

Check out my editable templates for making your own chore charts with your kids. Reach out to me on Instagram for template freebies. 

Encourage a Healthy Work Ethic

No matter what the age, work with your child on identifying a healthy and regular work schedule. This kind of balance will give your child the chance to acquire valuable life skills and still have plenty of time to do school work, recreational activities and of course, have lots of fun. 

Often we are hesitant to allow our kids to do certain chores simply because we are concerned about their safety. In that case, sit and do that chore with your child and then let them copy you. You can then do it together a couple of more times. Once you are confident that your child can handle it well independently, you can hand over the reigns to them.

It is the parents who need to be weened off their children and not the other way around. Children are born to fly!

Let me know if this post has been helpful to you or how things are differently working out great in your household. We mommies have a lot to learn from each other. 

Until next time...

Ciao