Simple Chores for Kids that are Age Appropriate

Have you ever wondered which chores are appropriate for their age? There are a surprising amount of chores that kids are capable of. Especially if you give them the opportunities to practice. I have heard a lot of people saying they don’t give their kids chores and I think those people are crazy! I always had chores growing up and now I have a house that I know how to take care of and keep clean.

The Benefits

There are many benefits to teaching your kids how to do chores. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACP) says that kids who participate in chores may exhibit higher self-esteem and be better equipped to deal with frustration, adversity, and delayed gratification. These soft skills would be super helpful as they grow older and go to school and eventually get jobs. We all dream about big things for our children, but I think it’s the little things that really matter in the long run.

The How

Now you may be wondering how do I do it? How do I even get my kid to clean their room let alone help me with chores around the house?! Well….if there was an answer for every kid….I’d be a millionaire! But I do have a few suggestions. Giving chores to kids is no joke and they can fight it. Oh boy can they fight it! Sometimes my kids will be all over helping me load my dryer, but other times they won’t even pick up their blankets! We just don’t know which way the wind will blow when it comes to kids.

• Rewards: sticker chart, M&Ms, skittles, etc.
• Be consistent: “After dinner, put your plate away.” “Every Saturday, clean the bathroom.” “Dirty clothes go in the laundry hamper.”
• Don’t use chores as punishment: This can be a hard one, but it is important if we want our kids to grow up to be responsible adults.
• Make chores fun: I used to watch my nieces a lot and I would play that a witch was coming and we needed to clean her house before she got there. They cleaned with me and we had fun doing it!
• Set a timer: This can be motivation in and of itself! Kids love timers for some reason and even if the room is still a little messy, they gave it their best shot.
• Teach them how to do the chore: This probably doesn’t need to be said, but you’d be surprised how many people I know have said “Nobody taught me how to clean a toilet.” Before you even give your kid the chore…teach them how to clean it. Let them see you 2 or 3 times and then they can do it with supervision, then on their own!

Age Appropriate Chores

Ages 2-3

• Dust
• Put toys away
• Wipe any spills
• Dirty clothes in hamper
• Put (plastic) dishes in sink
• Dress themselves (with help)

Ages 4-5

• All previous chores
• Vacuum (handheld)
• Help parent load and unload laundry
• Help clean in bathroom
• Clear table

Ages 6-7

• All previous chores
• Clean sink and counters
• Help make and pack lunch
• Wash produce for meals
• Clean Bedroom
• Sweep floors
• Unload dishwasher

Ages 8-9

• All preveious chores
• Help make dinner
• Sort laundry
• Load dishwasher

Ages 10+

• All previous chores
• Clean bathroom
• Clean kitchen
• Do yardwork
• Take out garbage

There are some things that my daughter does already because I taught her young, but there are other things that she doesn’t know how to do yet. So these lists are just suggestions because you know your kid best. These suggestions will give you and your child a starting point to jump from and have great success in your home.

Have a blessed day!